XP Pro Internet Explorer Unable to Download Files

[shae_32]

Okay. I hope this makes sense. A few weeks ago, my cousin's computer started acting up. They couldn't download anything except for Windows updates with Internet Explorer. Avast updated normally within itself. The only thing that remedied their being unable to download files was to install a new browser. (I had to download Firefox with my PC and save the installer on a CD) I have never seen that happen before. Seriously, they couldn't even go to the Microsoft Download center and download. A box would come up saying it was downloading and nothing would happen. Same thing when choosing "Save Target As" A box would come up asking where you wanted to save the file, and it would appear to save it, but when you went to the specified location, nothing was there.

Anyone know what could cause that? I suspect something to do with the Registry somewhere...is their best bet to reinstall Windows? Just curious as that seemed awfully strange to me...

[bob3160]

See if this helps solve your cousin'e problem:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306837

[shae_32]

I'm sorry I'm just now getting to responding. Had jury duty yesterday.... and was so sleepy when I got home that I didn't bother to look here.  Sorries.

Anyway, yeah, I did try what was mentioned in the MS article, and it didn't work. Don't ask me.

Any other suggestions are appreciated.

[ardvark]

Hi Shae...

What version of Internet Explorer are they using? Also, what location are you downloading the files to?

May God bless you

[shae_32]

Hi.

My cousin is using IE 8. I managed to upgrade their PC to it via Windows Update site. I'm thinking this problem occurred whilst they were using IE 7. And it got inherited into IE 8. 

I believe the PC was upgraded from Windows 2000 to Windows XP Pro. If that helps any. I didn't ask if they have a Windows CD. Oops.

[ardvark]

Hi Shae...

What location are you downloading the files to? I'm assuming that the "download percentage" box (or whatever it's called) reports the downloads completed.

God bless

[shae_32]

I tried saving them in My Documents and even directly to the desktop to see. No dice. 

What was even stranger is that even if I hit "Run" on the box that came up, it would appear to download the file and then, nothing.  I did check to see if they had their browser security settings correct and such. I even checked the Hosts file...perfectly normal there.

Quite odd. 

[ardvark]

Hi Shae...

If you at your cousin's computer, please click "Start"--->"Run"--->type in "sfc /scannow" (without quotations and notice the space between the "c" and the "/".)

Please post back with the results.

Here are some additional options should the above fail to work.

God bless

[shae_32]

Okay. Next time I'm over there, I'll do that. I'm at home now.

But yeah, as soon as I can I'll check that. Thanks.

[ardvark]

Hi Shae...

That's fine and you're welcome, just let us know the results.

God bless

[bob3160]

Please note that running "sfc /scannow" (System File Checker) may require the windows installation CD.
Just thought you might want to know that little fact.

[ardvark]

Please note that running "sfc /scannow" (System File Checker) may require the windows installation CD.
Just thought you might want to know that little fact.

Hi Bob...

Thanks, I admit I didn't think of that.

God Bless

[shae_32]

Hi guys.

I just came from my cousins house and I got their IE issue straightened out. Apparently, they had some kind of malware issue that screwed up IE.  Anyway, I ran ComboFix and(of course downloaded the Windows Recovery Console) and that fixed the issue. IE now downloads and such like it's supposed to Yay!!

Anyway, thanks for all the suggestions.

[bob3160]

Glad to hear the problem is solved.

[jeffj4873]

Seems like it would have been easier to reset default Explorer from it's properties screen. Am I wrong on that thought??