Firefox I can't download updates or programs

Hello
For the past couple of weeks I haven't been able to download programs or updates. I have an emachine T6522, AMD Athlon 64 2.2GB, 200 GB HD, 1GB mem, Radeon express 200, Lite-on DVD -/+RW recorder, DSL internet connection, XP media edition & firefox 1.5.0.4. When I try to down load anything it may say starting & I wait for 5 or 10 minutes & nothing happens or it starts to download & it works for 2% or to 25% & pauses i Click on pause & it turns to resume & nothing happens. Off to the right side it may say any one of the following OPEN, REMOVE or CANCEL. What do I have to do to Get my downloads onto my PC? I have tried Internet Explorer and it doesn't work either it just shows the paper going from the globe to the folder & nothing in the transfer bar is happening. I have been using firefox 1.5 since December 2005, with no problem until recently.
Thanks

 

Whever more than one program is affected, the problem is most like outside the program. although Netscape6/7 and Mozillas were bogged down by the fact that the download manager list got over full, this problem should not occur in Firefox.
But since Firefox and IE share the Local Settings|Temp folder, if it is too full, you may have a common problem. Look at the Download preferences of Firefox. Where are the downloads directed to? I have them go to the Desktop, and I can direct them later to a storage folder, or just delete them.
If you have not done any maintenance to your Temp folder, select all, and delete. For Firefox, just change the download directory, and see if it works. That will tell you if a lot of clutter in one area may be the culprit.
I empty everything from the Temp folder, at least, once a week.It can get full in a hurry.

 

Dear Team Member,
I emptied the Temp folder. I even removed Firefox with control panels add/remove programs. I had the Firefox program in my download folder & reinstalled it. The date of this file was 12-9-05. But with no success. I notice in the 'Tools ", select "Options ", select, "Advanced ", "security tab ", "Protocols" there is a check mark in all 3 boxes, "use SSL 2.0 ", "use SSL 3.0" & "use TLS 1.0 ". Would any of these items create a conflict? My downloads have always been sent to "My Downloads File" with no problems until now & in the Tools, Options, etc. I couldn't find save to Desktop, so I left it to My Download File.
Thank You, Warren

 

Warren, my reply took into consideration the fact that IE does not work, either.
I assure you that I have the same security settings as you have, and no problem. Also, uninstalling the program should not do anything, since the settings are, more likely, in the profile. Finally, you should be able to select any download location, through your Tools|Options|Downloads|browse to the desired location. Unless something happened to your System files, I don't know. But, try a different download location. And, take note of the folder which is being used for downloads.