Help! Why can't I download?

[TripperJoe]

It has always worked before, but after I went to college, my dad took my old computer. Now that I'm back, I've found that I can't download anything! I can access the web just fine. What is going on? Is this a problem with my SMC barricade or the computer itself?

 

[DaveSimmons]

"download" = p2p or FTP?

Could be a software problem (e.g. p2p software no longer installed), could be the SMC no longer has the right ports open, could be the ISP blocking ports.

 

[TripperJoe]

If I want to say download Nvidia Drivers (or anything else) it times out. Another computer on the same network works fine. Ftp sites have timed out as well.

 

[CaptnKirk]

Sometimes the Properties settings for Screen Savers will interupt and cause a disconnection on a dial-up modem.
They are also known to not recognize the 'Computer-Talking' between systems, and disconnect because they do not consider
the traffic to be a valid conversation, usually right around 20 minutes - then you get a 60 second window to 'Click O.K.'
in order to continue with the data transfer. I've fought this on laptop updates, and older systems.
Think about getting a newer modem like one of the V.92 with the V.44 video compression to speed things up a bit.
Creative/Broadxent V.92 Modem Link