Ubuntu 14.04. Lost wired connection and will not connect wireless, lost nm-applet and laptop will not shut down, now lost cd rom connection

I have been using Ubuntu 10.04 for a couple of years and I am new to Ubuntu terminal.

I performed my first Ubuntu OS installation a couple of weeks. 14.04

It is now my 4th installation because while I have fixed one thing, I have broken another.

First I was not able to connect to my wireless access point.

Now I cannot connect using a wired, or a wireless connection. I also managed to lose the nm-applet, and my laptop will not shut down unless I hold down the power key.

I was able to establish a connection using an wireless external USB. I also have access to a desktop to perform all checks.

I am loving the learning curve and Ubuntu, however now require some help to see what I have done as I have spent endless nights troubleshooting with no success.

My laptop is a HP dv6700 running Ubuntu 14.04.

Just to add after performing an upgrade I have also lost my cd rom. So I cant even do a re install. My start up disk creator doesn't seem to be functioning either.

I am not giving up. PLEASE HELP