Downloading with Vista

bestpud

This has been asked before (from a search) but the OP didn't come back so it didn't answer the question.

We have Vista Hime Premium and cannot download some programmes. If we opt to save them they simply disappear and if we press run it says connection with the server was reset or simply disappears too. I eventually downloaded avg etc by using Firefox and/or different download sites (I think it was filehippo that worked in the end for avg).

I cannot download office though (I have the ultimate steal and can access the download plus have the licence key - if I could get that far!!)

I've tried switching the firewall etc off but that doesn't help.

Any ideas?

Now I am trying to sort my sister's computers out and have the same problem with hers! She has Vista Home Basic.

She has no anti-virus (or any) protection on her laptops (I know :rolleyes:) and I have downloaded Avast on the one because it has Safari on there but the other doesn't. It won't let me download safari or firefox either.

Two different issues there, I know, but the main issue is exactly the same. I have searched fruitlessly for an answer to this so I would be hugely grateful if someone knows what the problem might be.

BTW, our pc is new (few weeks and been like this from the start) but sisters are over a year old, so it is nothing to do with usage, or whatever.

Can anyone help, please?

BillScarab

I'm not sure exactly what you mean. I have Vista nad have never had any issues with downloading files.

When you have tried to download a file where are you looking ofr it after it finshes ?

Does it say it has successfully downloaded?

bestpud

I have searched the computer for it, as well as looked where it has said it will download it to but it simpley isn't there.

When downloads are successful, I get the download progress box (where the line fills up and you can see when it has downloaded) but it doesn't do this for programmes it won't download. It doesn't get that far.

It literally does nothng.

I get the save box and choose where to save it etc but then it just disappears.

Or I run it and the box disappears and nothing happens, or it says the connection with the server was reset (mostly the former though).

I've got to go to work in a minute so won't reply until tomorrow but woud be very grateful for any ideas.

It isn't a common problem as I have searched for an answer but got nowhere. It has been asked on here before though as I found it on searching.

f1charlie

If you have no luck here, try posting your question on this forum:

www.vistax64.com

I've found them very helpful.

Edit:
Just did a quick search and found a couple of suggestions related to downloading .exe's:

"Launch Internet Options from Control Panel. Click the Security tab. Select the Internet zone. Click the Custom Level button. Scroll down to the Miscellaneous group. Find the item "Launching Applications and unsafe files". Is it set to "Disable"? Then change it to "Prompt" and click OK."

"I"m late to the discussion but I have had a problem downloading files (ex.
download files from CNET) and I found that EI 7 Popup Blocker's setting was
on "High". After re-setting it to "Medium", my download problems were fixed.

Try turning off EI 7's Popup Block. If this works for you, turn it back on
and add the website to your list of unblocked sites."

KathysBoy

f1charlie wrote: »

If you have no luck here, try posting your question on this forum:

"Launch Internet Options from Control Panel. Click the Security tab. Select the Internet zone. Click the Custom Level button. Scroll down to the Miscellaneous group. Find the item "Launching Applications and unsafe files". Is it set to "Disable"? Then change it to "Prompt" and click OK."

Try turning off EI 7's Popup Block. If this works for you, turn it back on
and add the website to your list of unblocked sites."

I agree that it sounds like an issue in the Security zone. I don't think it will be the popup blocker.

I normally use a Download Manager (loads of free ones here http://www.freedownloadmanager.org/), as if its a large file (like Office) you can normally resume if it drops the link. I use Vista Home Premium and have never had any download problems.

Conor_3

Well if you go to Start and then your name, it'll open up an explorer window. In that explorer window, you'll see a cunningly named folder called "Downloads" which is where Internet Explorer puts downloaded files when you've clicked save....

That's assuming of course that when you click on a file to save, you've noticed the little yellow bar that appears at the top of the page which you need to click on to allow the file to be downloaded in IE..

DatabaseError

I came across a similar problem on someone's lappy, no security installed, and none would complete download. my solution was to go home, load a usb pen drive with av/as/cc etc... and spend an hour or 2 installing and cleaning everything. he was happy enough to offer me a bottle of poceen (sp?) in a bushmills bottle, 1 cap full was enough for a 'no thanks' from me

bestpud

Conor wrote: »

Well if you go to Start and then your name, it'll open up an explorer window. In that explorer window, you'll see a cunningly named folder called "Downloads" which is where Internet Explorer puts downloaded files when you've clicked save....

That's assuming of course that when you click on a file to save, you've noticed the little yellow bar that appears at the top of the page which you need to click on to allow the file to be downloaded in IE..

It isn't there conor. The programnmes that will download go there but not the ones that won't.

I do not get the yellow bar for the failed ones, whether I click save or run. It literally just disappears without trace or warning - I click save or run and nothing happens - anywhere.

I know I seem daft but I'm not that daft, honest!

Thanks guys, will try those suggestion when I get home later and see what happens.

Rock_Bottom

Some of my downloads go to the Public folder instead of my own one - my fault for not changing the destination folder beforehand.

savemoney

Have you tried downloadthemall plugin for firefox is great downloader

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/201

bestpud

Well, I have now downloaded it in Firefox - I'm sure I tried it before and it wouldn't have it, but DH says I haven't before. Oh well, never mind! It's downloaded now!

There is clearly an issue with Vista, IE and downloads! It may not be a common one but there is an issue!

Conor - please don't assume everyone is a two year old and has no idea how to download! Your response was pretty rude tbh!

Anyway, thanks all. It was none of the things suggested as I did those - goodness only knows what the problem is.

Is it likely to be related to our router at all, by any remote chance?

It's not the firewall or anti-virus on the computer as I have turned those off and it made no difference....