Downloads Won't Finish

[olds]

My daughter's XP Pro/AMD 1.33/256 MB PC2100 machine will not finish downloads. They start but then hang up. This includes Windows and Norton updates. Web pages load fine. I suspect a virus but a scan finds nothing. I tried to d/l the new dats (hers are last months) and a trojan scanner but of course the d/l won't finish.
We are on a cable modem via a router with 3 machines on it. The other 2 are fine.
TIA

 

[minendo]

If you restart the download will it continue where it left off?

 

[olds]

Nope. Sometimes the machine hangs up and I have to restart. I am going to d/l a trojan scanner on my machine and burn it to a disk (I unshared our machines in case she has a virus) and run it.
EDIT
That didn't work. The file won't finish extracting. It's time she learned to format and install an OS anyway.

 

[minendo]

Really strange problem. A clean install should do the trick.

Hopefully she is more patient and understanding than my sister.

 

[Broadkipa]

my machines have all just started doing that. i suspect it may be something to do with one of the latest windows updates, im not sure which one but I keep up to date with these do you keep up to date with updates.

 

[olds]

Her updates are about 1 month behind, the other 2 are kept up by me and are current. The format route will work as she needs to learn to back up and do it anyway. Problem is I can't find her XP disk. I guess I'll have to go into her registry and get the license number then use my disk.

Anyone know the path to the number or will Belarc Advisor show it?

 

[minendo]

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE \Microsoft \Windows NT\ CurrentVersion\ProductId.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: minendo
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE \Microsoft \Windows NT\ CurrentVersion\ProductId.

Thanks.

 

[olds]

Hmm.. The id contains only numbers and no letters. IIRC, it had letters in it.

 

[mastertech01]

That usually only gives the serial number of the software installation disk and not the install Key. I know of no way to retrieve it, as it usually comes with the case or manual.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: mastertech01
That usually only gives the serial number of the software installation disk and not the install Key. I know of no way to retrieve it, as it usually comes with the case or manual.

Thanks, John. I quess we'll tear her room apart if we can get in the door. It's got to be under something.