It sounds like you are either having network connection problems, or are experiencing the bandwidth limitations that Berkeley has enforced, causing many SETI participants much frustration in trying to connect and upload/download WUs.
I would highly recommend a WU caching program, such as SETIDRIVER, so you can stock up a week's worth of WUs, the PC can crunch away, SETIDRIVER can attempt to connect until successful. This will help you & your PC become a more productive at SETI.
Are you on dial-up or ISDN/cable/dsl/tx connection to the Internet?