Downloads Failing to Occur

[2bconfused]

Suddenly - today - anything I try to download and Save to my desktop simply disappears - instead of actually downloading.

This happened at Symantics web site when I tried to download the NAV Removal Tool, at Avasts site when I tried to download their free home use version (in fact, both on their own web site as well as at the Download.com link) and with a link to yet another site in order to download/save a program called Autoruns to my destop.

In each case - at these completely different web sites, in an attempt to download different programs - when I clicked on Save File the window would simply disappear immediately and nothing at all would download to my desktop. I even tried opening Options/Security/Exceptions in Firefox - and adding downloads.com to the Exceptions list (after that specific download failed to occur) but it was to no avail.

This has never occurred before and I don't have a clue what could possibly be preventing any download from any site. I use Windows XP2-Home Ed.

Can anyone offer any suggestions as to what is (or isn't) going on?

[prairie dog]

If all security downloads are being prevented, you might have an infection. Please follow the instructions below.

Hello, and welcome to Malwarebytes.org

We don't work on Malware removal in the general forums.

Please print out, read and follow the directions here, skipping any steps you are unable to complete. Then post a NEW topic here.

One of the expert helpers there will give you one-on-one assistance when one becomes available.

After posting your new post make sure under options that you select Track this topic and choose one of the Email options so that you're alerted when someone has replied to your post.

Alternatively, as a paying customer, you can contact the help desk at support@malwarebytes.org

[2bconfused]

If all security downloads are being prevented, you might have an infection. Please follow the instructions below.

Hello, and welcome to Malwarebytes.org

We don't work on Malware removal in the general forums.

Please print out, read and follow the directions here, skipping any steps you are unable to complete. Then post a NEW topic here.

One of the expert helpers there will give you one-on-one assistance when one becomes available.

After posting your new post make sure under options that you select Track this topic and choose one of the Email options so that you're alerted when someone has replied to your post.

Alternatively, as a paying customer, you can contact the help desk at support@malwarebytes.org

Thank you Prairie Dog for your reply. (By the way I'm not a new member but thanks anyway for the warm welcome )

I don't believe I have any malware or virus on my system. I ran a full system scan yesterday with both Norton antivirus and Malwarebytes since I knew I was going to be removing NAV from my system later this week and switching to another AV program - and wanted to be sure my system was absolutely clean. It was!

However, since posting my query (above) a little earlier I tried downloading Avasts software program to my desktop using IE instead of Firefox (which I alway use instead).

It went flawlessly - so I think the issue has something to do with my Firefox settings - tho I don't know what it might be since I'm not receiving any warning notification on my task bar - which is usually the case when Firefox blocks something because of ones settings.

Since I don't like to use IE - I'd really like to rectify this download issue.

Any suggestions anyone?

[noknojon]

Hi 2bconfused -

If you don't want to follow prairie dog then try to reset to IE 6 or IE 7 at best - You may have IE 8 installed and your XP 2 may have uploaded as an automatic update -

Check in Control panel, Add/Remove, Reboot, and then try any basic download - Some XP problems have been known to show up in IE 8 -

These include failing to install and failing to run some programs - Or use this Norton removal tool -

ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_...emoval_Tool.exe from Norton/Symantic -

If this is not an option use prarie dog's ideas and get an expert just to check it -

[exile360]

I'd try uninstalling FireFox, then reinstalling it (if you haven't done so already) to see if that fixes it, if not then you can try the various options here for resetting FireFox.

[2bconfused]

I'd try uninstalling FireFox, then reinstalling it (if you haven't done so already) to see if that fixes it, if not then you can try the various options here for resetting FireFox.

Perfect advice, Exile!