With Microsoft Internet Explorer I cannot seem to download any file. When I try to download any file (by either clicking on it or ricking clicking to 'save target as'. The download window comes up as normal. But it doesnt download and after a short while it pops up saying IE unable to open the site, request file unavalible or cannot be found.

I've tried different sites for files and it doesn't work, so I know the problem is at my end. I don't use any download accelerators or other such programs. Just what WinMe/IE explorer has by default. I've alsio checked through various IE settings, but I don't see any out of place and I never tamper with them.

I've checked to see if it is my firewall (zonealarm). I've gone through the settings and it allows full access for IE and such. Also turned it off and the download problem persists.

I've also noticed in Windows Media Player the 'Media Guide' which uses the internet does not work. It comes up with messages it would if it cannot access a website.

I ran a windows update and it said to download a couple of critical things. This download did actully work fine, but the program this uses to download is different then the normal one that doesnt work.

Any ideas on a solution would be very much appreciated. Thanks!

-HB

I've run into this problem many times and could never find any helpful solutions from Microsoft. So, I now use another browser and have not experienced this particular problem since using that browser.

Life is more painless for those who are brainless.

Delete your temporary internet files and all offline content when prompted through internet options > general tab etc. and see if it helps.

If no joy, repair IE via add/remove programs > highlight Microsoft Internet Explorer and click the remove button, choose the repair option when prompted and let the procedure complete, reboot and see if it helps.

If no joy, see if disabling Zone Alarm (for a moment) helps. This is doubtful because Zone Alarm leaves a lot of settings in place even when disabled.

Sounds like your ZA installation might be messed up. It would probably require a COMPLETE uninstall of ZA and reinstall, or use a less obtrusive firewall product such as Kerio 2.1.5.

That said, alternative browsers are far superior to IE, in my opinion, but IE still needs to be healthy in order to have a fully functional pc as it is a basic and important part of Windows.

Try the following steps in the order listed. After performing each step, check to see if the problem has been fixed.

0. Temporarily disable any Anti-Virus software or Internet enhanced programs.
1. Delete Internet Temporary files.

a. Open Internet Explorer. Click Tools and click Internet Options.

b. In the General tab, click Delete Files, check the "Delete all offline content" option, click OK.

c. In the General tab, click Delete Cookies, click OK.

d. In the General tab, click Clear History, click OK.

e. In the General tab, click the Settings => View Objects, delete all the listed objects.

f. Click OK. Click OK. Reboot your computer.

2. Edit the registry key plugins

a. Click Start, click Run, type "regedit" and press ENTER.

b. Locate the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Plugins\Extension

c. Highlight this key and then click Delete.

d. Quit Registry Editor and then restart your computer.

3. Download and install Windows Script 5.5 for Windows Millennium Edition

I did the delete cookies and temp files etc. Then tried the repair that Leroi suggested. It seems to have sorted the problem. I can download now so yay!

Thanks for your help everyone.

-HB

Great! You're welcome.