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General discussion

Unable to complete file downloads after Win 7 install

Sep 9, 2010 2:28AM PDT

Installed new HDD and Win 7 on a compatible computer that meets and exceeds the requirements. After install, started the process of downloading and reloading software. Downloads of all sizes and from a wide range of websites will start off strong and then stop abruptly with no warning or error message. Some will only get a few MB, some as much as 40MB before it stops. I can cancel and restart and sometimes it will go a little further than the previous try. The connection is still there...web browsing is not an issue. Have checked the line with a different computer and all is fine. No limits on download size or amounts from ISP. I reinstalled Windows 7 a second time thinking I had done something wrong along the way...same results. I tried Firefox as well as Explorer. Computer worked fine with XP. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Brian

Discussion is locked

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Installed The Latest Drivers And Firmware As Well?
Sep 9, 2010 2:42AM PDT

The problem you're seeing is usually router/modem related. If you're using a router, be sure to download and install the latest firmware for it.. Some of the older routers don't quite function correctly on Vista and Windows 7. As just a test, try downloading on a different connection to see if it's the computer or your local connection.

In addition, be sure you've installed the latest motherboard/chipset, video, audio, ethernet, wireless (if such is needed), and all other drivers that are Windows 7 compatible.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Router Update?
Sep 9, 2010 3:24AM PDT

Forgive my lack of knowledge...I'm pretty comfortable with the software and hardware end of things, but am quick to admit my shortcomings. My router is older, and all the other computers in the house are still running XP. To where or which computer would I update the router software? My home network has been up and running for so long, I don't even remember what the process was when I purchased that router. I did update all of the motherboard software. Thank you!

Brian

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Flashing Firmware On a Router
Sep 9, 2010 6:05AM PDT

The instructions for doing so are generally provided by the router company's website.. But the firmware installation to the router can be performed from any computer on the network. Although initiated from one of the network computers, it's the router that gets updated.... NOT the computer.

Of course, if the latest firmware is older than the first date of Vista or Windows 7's release, it's possible the router won't function as designed..

Another thought... if you have a separate router and modem, have you tried connecting directly to the modem to see if the problem goes away??.. Along the same line of thinking, if the modem is faulty, it could be dropping the signal instead of the router.. Modems also have firmware that may need to be updated. Differently though, most modem firmware comes from your internet service provider and may, or may not be available for updating by the end user.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Router Help
Sep 9, 2010 9:33AM PDT

Grif,

Thank you so much for your time and knowledge! I will try your ideas in the next couple of hours and let you know one way or the other what I found out. With any luck, it may kill two birds with one stone...I have been having some troubles with the wireless devices in the house causing a loss of internet service that is only corrected by resetting the router. The modem is only a few months old...provided by my ISP. I will assume for now that it is compatible with Windows 7.

Brian

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Flashed Router
Sep 10, 2010 3:26AM PDT

Grif,

You are the Man! After quite a struggle and a few hurdles, I was able to get the update to the router installed. I only briefly tested the results as it was well past bed time, but the two downloads I tried both finished. The only thing I noticed was that the transfer rate was much slower that I am used to, but at this point I will take that over not being able to download at all.

I can't tell you how many hours I've put into this problem, and will be very honest in saying that I would have never considered the router as being the source of the problem. I was convinced it was a Windows based problem.

If you're up for one last question...any thoughts on the lower transfer rate? Could I have changed any settings durring the upgrade process? It may have just been a freak thing. As I said, I only fooled with it for a few minutes and had to get to bed.

Thank you again!!!

Brian

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Sorry, I've Been On Vacation... But...
Sep 22, 2010 12:04PM PDT

If the new firmware fixed the main problem, have you simply tried turning OFF the computer, then turn OFF the router, then turn OFF the modem (if they're separate), then wait ten minutes. Once that's done, restart the modem, wait 2 minutes for it to initialize, then turn ON the router (if it's separate from the modem), wait two minutes for it to initialize as well, then turn on the computer.

See if it helps the download speed.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Not wanting to intervene
Sep 9, 2010 6:49AM PDT

where Grif is already helping, but I thought I would ask about this, "Downloading and reloading software".

Downloading from where?

Mark

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Downloading
Sep 9, 2010 9:38AM PDT

Hi Mark,

I've tried downloading from multiple sites...Adobe, Apple, MicroSoft...they all respond the same. The download will start with a good transfer rate, only to suddenly stop completly and the transfer rate will slowly drop to almost nothing. If left long enough on the screen, it will time out.

Brian