Hi there, I have a problem with downloading files - any sort of files - to my computer. It's confusing and annoying as I've tried to download Skype to my computer - this is just one of the applications that I can't install this way.

What I do is when the option to download comes up I click Save as usual. But when I look to my desktop, it hasn't appeared. I've checked and double checked that it is the desktop that I'm telling it to save to, so I'm confused as to why I can't download anything.

I'm using Firefox 3.0. I did try the same thing using IE 7 and the same problem keeps reappearing. Furthermore, when I try to Run the installer instead of saving it to my computer, thus hoping to cut out the problem, nothing happens.

Would anybody be so kind as to offer a diagnosis and/or solution to this problem please? Thanks!

P.S. Another problem which could (?) be related is that when I tried to install AVG after getting fed up of my old antivirus, it refused to install itself.

Okay, so when in FireFox,
Edit -> Preferences -> Main

And you will see an option to where the downlaoded files should be saved to. Make sure this is set to your Desktop

And if it is, I would try checking the 'Always Ask Me' option.

JAM

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As Jam said, do a search on your C drive for the files. It's where it saved, not IF it saved.

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Ok I did what Jam said, changed where it saves to, to the Desktop, then tried downloading a test file and it still didn't work. I then searched for the exact thing that I had downloaded and it was nowhere to be found on my C Drive. I even checked the little download box that Firefox has for the files, right clicked what it had TOLD me it downloaded and tried to click Open and Open Containing Folder, but those options were whited out.

Surely this means that contrary to what you said, Thaylok, the download just isn't working? It can't even be the thing I'm downloading that's the problem because I've tried to download all sorts of different types of file to see if that was the problem.

Is this your own personal computer that you are using?
And hmm, if you go back into Firefox,
Edit --> Preferences --> Advanced --> network -- Settings

and make sure that the 'Connect Directly To The Internet' box is checked.

JAM

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For some reason there's no Preferences option under Edit (are you advising me for FF2? I have 3.0) but I think I got to the Advanced Network connection settings another way from Tools and Options, then Advanced and Network where it says "Change how Firefox connects to the internet."

This is my own personal computer. If it helps, I'm connected to a network at university. When I was given instructions at the start of the year to connect my computer up, I was told to enter a proxy configuration URL which is currently what's in the box - if I change it, it won't let me onto the internet.

But the download problem has only begun recently. I've never had any problems like this before with this computer.

Edit: Also there is no "Connect Directly To The Internet" box.

It could be that downloads are being filtered by the proxy....

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But the downloads have stopped working now, when I've been on the network since October and they've been fine. It seems a bit weird. And also, wouldn't something notify me if my downloads were being blocked? Grr...

It could be a virus - the fact you couldn't download AVG is a clue as a lot of malware will prevent you from downloading anything that may detect it. Not sure what your AV is now? Are you able to download updates to definitions? If not and you can't download AVG or Avast then try doing an online scan such as Housecall:
Trend Micro HouseCall - Free Online Virus and Spyware Scan - Trend Micro USA
Also it you should check your security settings - they may be set too high to allow downloads of certain file types.

Cheers

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