Strange downloading problem

greenfedora · May 23, 2008, 11:52:01

Has anyone seen this sort of problem before?

I can download only one file from the 'net and I have to reboot if I want to download another.

So, for example, I download file A perfectly fine but when it comes to file B the download doesn't seem to start. The progress bar sits at 0% and never goes anywhere. This happens on both IE and FF and it doesn't matter where I download the files from or what sort of files they are, the second one always gets stuck.

If I reboot I can download one file again (even the one it didn't download before I rebooted) and the second gets stuck.

The problematic OS is Windows XP. Things work fine on my Vista machine, which runs the same Firewall and uses the same router and connection.

I've tried switching the Firewall off but that makes no difference (and there's nothing in my firewall/antivirus logs anyway).

I've noticed this happening for the last 2 days (although it may have been happening longer, but only by a day or two if it has). No new software installed or Windows upgrades in the interim.

madasahatter · May 23, 2008, 11:55:42

What, if any, error messages do you get gordon?

Rik · May 23, 2008, 11:55:48

Where are you downloading to, Gordon (drive & folder)?

greenfedora · May 23, 2008, 12:00:43

Quote from: madasahatter on May 23, 2008, 11:55:42
What, if any, error messages do you get gordon?

I get no error messages at all, not even in the system log.

Quote from: RikWhere are you downloading to, Gordon (drive & folder)?

I've tried different locations on my C:, D: and E: drives (all hard drives), in root folders, sub-folders etc. ... all places I used to be able to download to.

I also tried clearing the cache and restarting the browser(s) but that didn't work. Only a reboot seems to cure it.

It's almost like it's keeping the port open from a previous download ... or somesuch.

Rik · May 23, 2008, 12:09:31

Weird. I can't think of anything to explain it, Gordon. Have you looked at Task Manager to see if anything is running?

Have you done a virus/malware sweep?

greenfedora · May 23, 2008, 12:24:03

Quote from: Rik on May 23, 2008, 12:09:31
Weird. I can't think of anything to explain it, Gordon. Have you looked at Task Manager to see if anything is running?

Have you done a virus/malware sweep?

I'll run a full scan just to be certain it's all okay.

My download (via the browser) is in Task Manager, but I can't see anything untoward.

I'll do some more Googling and see what I can find.

Thanks.

Rik · May 23, 2008, 12:25:35

The AV isn't working overtime or anything like that?

Steve · May 23, 2008, 12:33:33

Can you perform a system restore to when it was working?

greenfedora · May 23, 2008, 12:47:03

Quote from: RikThe AV isn't working overtime or anything like that?

No (and I've tried it with it switched off too).

Quote from: stevethegas on May 23, 2008, 12:33:33
Can you perform a system restore to when it was working?

I probably can (although I haven't checked). I'll let this scan run first and then consider it.

Sebby · May 23, 2008, 18:00:19

Which browser are you using? I wonder if it's worth trying another one to see if it's the browser at fault. I think it could be.

greenfedora · May 24, 2008, 07:39:33

Quote from: Sebby on May 23, 2008, 18:00:19
Which browser are you using? I wonder if it's worth trying another one to see if it's the browser at fault. I think it could be.

I get the same result on both IE and FF.

My virus scan found nothing either.

Anyway, I'm away this weekend so I'll have to get back to this on Monday. Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.

madasahatter · May 24, 2008, 08:09:27

Have a good weekend Gordon - fetch us some rock back

Dangerjunkie · May 24, 2008, 08:36:31

Have you installed IE Tabs in FF? If so might it be an IE breakage?

Have you rebooted your router?

Cheers,
Paul.

Sebby · May 24, 2008, 11:44:01

Quote from: greenfedora on May 24, 2008, 07:39:33
I get the same result on both IE and FF.

Very strange. I can't think what else would possibly cause this.

merlin · May 24, 2008, 23:22:42

try running ccleaner ,you may have something stuck in the browser cache , and that should clear it .

if not ,you may have a missing file etc, put your windows disc in the drive ,and try running sfc /scannow, that should replace any missing files.

greenfedora · May 29, 2008, 22:50:33

Right, well this okay for now.

What seemed to cure it was me going away for a while. Must be one of those quantum interconnectedness things.

Really, it wasn't working before I went away and was when I came back.

Sebby · May 29, 2008, 23:15:01

Bizarre, like all things related to technology.

greenfedora · May 29, 2008, 23:22:31

Quote from: Sebby on May 29, 2008, 23:15:01
Bizarre, like all things related to technology.

One of guys I used to work with had this theory called 'code rot', which says that if you leave perfectly fine code alone for long enough it'll just rot away and stop working.

Seems like what happened to me was the opposite!

Sebby · May 29, 2008, 23:23:05