Firewall Problems

Recently, I cannot download any updates for anything (Spybot, HP Updates, Patches for games). I have not downloaded any new firewalls for months, and up until a while ago, everything was working fine. Now however, it seems certain connections are blocked. While I can get onto the internet, I cannot download certain updates or play online games.

Do you know what could be causing this?

 

What Firewall software are you using ?

Possible answer to gaming problem if you are using XP with SP2 Here

 

ipdrummer--Are you getting any error message?
If it is a firewall problem, disable your firewall and see if that fixes things.
You have not told us what version of Windows you are using. If you have WinXP SP2, Windows Firewall will probably have been installed by default. If you also have third party firewall, like Zone Alarm, you have two firewalls running. That is not adviseable. Turn off Windows Firewall first (Control Panel|Windows Firewall), and see if that helps. If not, then turn off the other firewall.
Unfortunately, it is not good to run without any firewall, but a quick test will help the diagnosis. Then turn one firewall back on.

I understand the problem is with downloading and that by "downloading" you mean transferring files to your harddrive. Access to the sites themselves is no problem. Correct?
The old solution for not being able to download files is:
"Clean out your Temporary Internet Files. "
Here are some other ideas.
http://www.computing.net/windowsxp/wwwboard/forum/106171.html
See especially item 3 in Response #2

I understand you cannot download only from some sites, and downloading from some other sites is OK? Please confirm.
It would not hurt to run scans for spyware in any event.
http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=37074

Do you have a HOSTS file? (Not HOSTS.sam or LMHOSTS, just HOSTS.) You might look in there to see if the sites involved are listed.

 

http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=48120

http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=48206

http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=48375

http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=48393

The above represent lpdrummer's threads within a week - and the common theme is some OS function is not working.

Its either malware or some fundamental OS corruption.

lpdrummer, do you have a XP cd, because it will come to either having to repair the OS or re installing it.

Regards - Charles