I'm about ready to give up... I cannot access the media manager after updating

If you have debug logging, upload the Plex Media Server.log and PMS Plugin Logs\com.plexapp.system.log

See 

 Reporting Issues with Plex Media Server and Plex media Server log files support pages

Use 'More Reply Options' button to get to the forum interface to attach log files

Also

Find out the local ip address of the Plex Media Server PC (Start / Run / CMD and type command ipconfig ) and then use that instead of 127.0.0.1 in the url in a browser

eg 192.168.0.5:32400/web

Also try localhost:32400/web

There have been problems seen where 3rd party security software or proxy software causes problem with access to 127.0.0.1

Start / Run / cmd and try

ping 127.0.0.1

and see what you get

Sorry to ask for so much .... can you also start an elevated cmd window:

Start / Run / cmd and when you see cmd.exe appear in the search results window, right click on it and select 'Run As Administrator'

In this window, type in command

netstat -a -b  > %localappdata% etstat_2014-10-09.txt

This will take a while to complete

Upload this text file (%localappdata% etstat_2014-10-09.txt) to your post as well

and one more:

check Control Panel / Internet Options 

Connection tab to confirm no proxy configured/in use

Advanced tab / Security / Enable Enhanced Protected Mode is off