Can't upload files

I connect to the internet using a LAN and run Windows XP Pro SP1.


I can pretty much do everything (browse, p2p, POPmail etc.) except upload files. I am unable to send attachments via webmail, Outlook/POP. Also, I can't upload files on to an FTP server.

I tried to send a 100kb file as an attachment from a web based Yahoo account, when i click "attach" my computer starts sending data, but stops after a couple of seconds. If I try to upload a file using a file-manager (using browser) to my free webhost, the same problem persists. I am unable to use FTP to upload files due to the same problem.

I observed the ZoneAlarm data transfer indicator on the system tray, and noticed that whenever I try to upload something, the upload process starts and ceases in a couple of seconds. The most I have managed to succesfully upload is a 1kb file.

I am unsure as to what the problem is, as I can't blame a particular application for the problem. I don't connect directly to a major ISP, the setup in the neighbourhood I live is of LAN based internet access, via a local franchisee of the ISP. The support staff of the franchisee has advised me to format my hard disk and create a clean installation of Windows. I felt the need for a second opinion .

 

.. format my hard disk and create a clean installation of Windows ..

Yuck. Glad you asked rather than doing what they suggested.

FTP needs ports 20/21 to be open in and out bound. Are they?

You say you connect to the net via a LAN. Could you describe it please.

 

Thanks

Thanks for the prompt reply.

Well, today I went to my ISPs office and yelled at them, and surprise! surprise!, the problem mysteriously disappeared. Weird. So glad I didn't format my hard disk.

 

It's funny how often that sort of thing happens.

This is one of the few places where I would even consider Format advice as a viable option because it really is a last resort after lots of sharp folks have looked over a problem.

I know lots of the tech support for various apps, ISPs, PCs, etc. forces the techs to use scripts for dealing with issues and I really think there may be a script that says something like, "if this is the customer's 3rd call about a problem, then suggest reformat ", or maybe, "if you never heard of the problem before or can't figure out anything to suggest, the suggest reformat ".