Downloading from Microsoft and etc.
 

Is it me, or is the Microsoft.com server always busy?

First off, I think it is me.

I have been unable to dowload anything from Microsoft for around 4 months now. When I click any download link, the status bar will get about halfway there and after 5 min I'll get a "Page cannot be found" message. I have a Lynksys Etherfast router for my cable connection line.

My first question is: Is their possibibility that Microsoft could be so special that it needs extra information from my computer and my router/firewall is blocking that information from being reached, in turn stopping the download? Becuase I have been able to download just about everthing else on the Internet.

This all started when I needed a usbehci.sys file to finish installing drivers for a USB 2.0 card, and the file comes with Service Pack 1 for Windows XP. Which brings me to my second question, how do I know if Service Pack 1 is installed on my computer? Microsoft says I have no updates, yet I can't find that file anywhere.

( I really think it is the router becuase I have two computers connected to the same router that can't download from microsoft)

Please help, I am very confused right now.......

Do you have a copy of XP that you obtained by means other than ones that microsoft would consider legal? If so I know that updates for some of the leaked Xp keys are turned off when you install SP1.

No, No my copy is legit as it gets. Bought it off of Newegg.com, OEM

I've never had any problems downloading updates from MS, but my computer takes forever to reboot after the updates are complete. Today it took 5 minutes to shut down to the Logon Screen, and then I had to hit the reset button after another 5 minutes just to reboot.

I assume reinstalling after a fresh format is out of the question...? I usually reinstall every 6-8 months. If nothing else it forces me to go find the newest drivers for all my devices(which otherwise never gets done).

Have you rebooted your Linksys box lately? I've ran into strange issues like that due to my router acting flakey.

To check if your runnin SP1, right click on my computer, goto properties, and right there where it shows the system it should have Service Pack 1 showing, if not, you got your answer.

Nope, I don't have service pack 1. Can't download it either. I guess I'm gonna email Microsoft.

The leaked CD key idea would sound valid, but I have another computer connected to the same router with Win98 on it that is having the same problem. Also both copies are bought and payed for.

Thanks for all your help.

I had a problem when I blocked their cookies :). They didn't like that and wouldn't let me download. So I let em put the cookies on then deleted 'em (and blocked the site) when I was done!

Worked a treat except MSN version I download insisted I used IE6 when I checkd my mail??!! - So 1 system restore later and all was well.

This may not directly help, but it may send you in the correct direction...

A frinds of mine had the exact problem with Win 98, well after the update had been installed. MS help didn't solve the problem, but after lots of searching on the internet we found a fix.

We traced the problem to a security update (MS Jscript ver 5.X). We downloaded all the Jscript updates (not using Windows update) and re-installed all of them in version number order (some did not apply and would not install). That fixed the problem for him. I checked my XP machine and there is a Jscript update for Win XP.