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Question

Why can't I download anything?

Apr 25, 2016 8:30PM PDT

I have windows 8, and am using Firefox. My internet connection is via satellite. I recently updated to newer Firefox and did a disk defragmentation and may have removed something important unknowingly. I cannot download anything at all, not even my AVG updates. I have tried to refresh Firefox, that didn't do anything. Hope someone out there can help me out.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
"may have removed something important unknowingly"?
Apr 26, 2016 11:50AM PDT

Installing Firefox and running defrag don't require the removal of anything.. A little more information would sure help.. Are you running Windows 8 or Windows 8.1? Are you able to get on the internet with your browsers? (You didn't tell us which computer you're using to post this message.) Why do you think you may have removed something? Did you delete files and if so, which ones? Are you able to download files using Internet Explorer?

And just in case you have a problem with malware, please click on the link below and follow the steps to the letter. In order to download the removal tools, you'll probably need to use a separate, clean computer to download the files, then copy them to a CD or flash drive, then transfer them to the problem machine.

“Expand” the post titled: "Please try this" at the link below:
http://www.cnet.com/forums/post/f742c795-5881-433b-a29b-6d758efe5cd3/


Hope this helps and let us know what you find.

Grif

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Cannot download anything
Apr 26, 2016 7:50PM PDT

Hi, I am using windows 8.1. I cannot download anything from IE. I tried and I kept getting message that IE had encountered a problem and was shutting down.
I do not have a clean computer to use. Yes I amusing the laptop which is causing me grief.
I have no idea if I have deleted anything or not.
I can travel freely on the internet just can't download anything.
Hope this helps.
Susan

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Is AVG
Apr 27, 2016 10:03AM PDT

Up to date ?
As a test , I would disable or uninstall AVG and use Windows Defender and see if AVG is the culprit .

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You Need to Borrow Or Use a Friend Or Family Member's Comp
Apr 27, 2016 3:25PM PDT

If none of the browsers are functioning as they should, then you'll want to scan the computer per my previous instructions. Malware seems like a possible cause. In order to run those scanners, you'll need to get them downloaded somehow, so you can transfer them to your problem machine.

In regards to knowing whether you deleted something, that is something you SHOULD know.. In your first post, you stated that you "may have removed something important unknowingly". To me, that means you have deleted something, some time.. What have you deleted recently.

As before, let us know what you find.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Cannot download anything
Apr 29, 2016 9:14PM PDT

Well I to your advice and disabled AVG. I can't get windows defender running as it says it is out of date and will not work without the updates, which I can't download. I don't have the use of another computer. My Firefox browser seems to be running well. I think I deleted temporary files. I have a Samsung 5 do you think that would be a suitable alternative for another computer?

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Cannot download anything
Apr 29, 2016 9:33PM PDT

Hi, gain. I have been trying to download the link to Bleeping computer, but like all else, it won't download.

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Have you tried
Apr 30, 2016 7:24AM PDT

booting into safe mode with networking ?
If you can get into safe mode with networking , STOP

And let us know so a Pro can help you out step by step.
It would also help to know the info on this computer
Make and model .
If you have backups and such .
anyway any info will helps these guys to help you .

Right now I'm leaning towards a factory reset but I'll defer that opinion to the Pros here

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Cannot download anything
Apr 30, 2016 10:00AM PDT

I don't know how to do that.

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You have to tell
Apr 30, 2016 10:09AM PDT

the make and model of the computer so the Pros can help you

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Cannot download anything
Apr 30, 2016 1:03PM PDT

It is an HP Intel corei5-4210U cpu 1.7Ghz 2.40 Ghz
64 bit operating system running windows 8
Thanks
Susan

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That's like saying
Apr 30, 2016 2:06PM PDT

My Ford is blue

Maybe someone else can tell you how to get into safe mode without knowing make or model.

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Cannot download anything
May 1, 2016 4:03PM PDT

I don't know what you need. It is an HP Pavilion laptop, with above mentioned information.

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I re-read the entire thread
May 1, 2016 5:04PM PDT

And all I read is that you removed something and don't know what it is.

Windows does not offer a repair tool to deal with such outside of system restore which doesn't always work. Or a factory restore which has its own downsides but a factory restore should get it working unless there is a hardware issue.

From the sounds of things and reading this discussion it's starting to sound as if a factory restore is next. Be sure you have what you can't lose on backups.

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A Friend Could Do The Downloads for You?
May 2, 2016 8:31PM PDT

All it takes is a friend or family member with a computer at their place. The friend or family member could copy the downloaded files to a flash drive, then load the drive to you.

And to boot your computer to Safe Mode, per the previous posts requests, see the link below.. (Sometimes, holding down the "Shift" key, while pressing the "F8" key, multiple times per second, immediately after startup, should allow you to see the Boot Options selection screen. Once there, use the up/down arrows to select "Boot to Safe Mode with Networking", then press the Enter key.) If this procedure doesn't get it done, then follow the other options in the link.

http://www.digitalcitizen.life/5-ways-boot-safe-mode-windows-8-windows-81

Hope this helps.

Grif