Downloading large file problem.

I've been trying to download a large file from the net. When it gets to a certain point my internet provider disconnects me for lack of activity. When this happened on my old computer it would atleast save what was downloaded and allow me to start where i left of. Why isn't my new computer doing this? is it a program? All input appreciated. Thanks.

 

Some programs have option to disconect the dial up after there use is up.
So make sure no program can control the dialup.
Make sure you have no virus.
Ask your ISP.
Use a download manager that lets you resume downloads.

 

What browser are you using?

If you are using FireFox then that has a download manager built-in.

Unfortunately Internet Explorer does not, however sometimes if you don't reboot you can resume the download from where you left off.

That is far from ideal though and the best thing to do is use a download manager.

Download Accelerator Plus and Get Right are both very good and are available from HERE as well as many others.

 

Getting Leechget! Thanks for the replies. Got another question. Is it safe to use more than 1 firewall? Right now i have Zonelabs and the one from sp2. A co-worker says he runs 4 at one time all the time.

 

There is no point or benefit to running more than one decent firewall.

It may not be "unsafe", but there is absolutely no advantage in doing so.

ZoneAlarm, Agnitum Outpost, or Sygate do an admirable job on their own.

 

I'm not an expert in this area, but I have read several articles that state running multiple firewalls can cause conflicts. Sort of like running multiple anti-virus programs can. I believe this to be true, but I also believe that this doesn't apply to all firewalls. I couldn't tell you which ones will work together if there are any, but the best advice I can give you is try several and pick the one or one's that you feel comfortable with and seem to work on top of each other(if you run more than one). Windows firewall seems to be a decent firewall, but it doesn't close used ports when they are idle. My choice was based on my having a home network. If you don't have a home network, I think Zone Alarm is more than adequate as its easy to set up and it closes idle ports automatically. Also its popup features give you easier control of program access to the net. If you have a home net work that is auto configured, windows firewall is easier to use. Ultimately it is personnal choice as to what firewall you choose. Try several and stick with the one you like the best. If you go with windows firewall I recommend downloading a port monitor program. you can find them here.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads13.html

 

Much as I like Firefox, its download manager is notorious for not handling large downloads well, and it doesn't allow you to resume a paused download. Many users add a third-party download manager because of these flaws. I still think it's a great browser!

 

My FireFox browser doesn't have the slightest problems with large downloads, and it pauses and resumes fine so I don't know where you get that from?

 

I've spent a lot of time on the Mozillazine support forums, where complaints about the inadequacy of the Firefox download manager are extremely common. This is the first time I've heard anyone claim that theirs works the way it's supposed to! I wish I knew what you're doing right, so I could pass it along to the users who are having problems with it. I've never tried pausing a download myself, apparently when it goes wrong the partial download is a real pain to get rid of, and you can't restart the download as long as it's there. Anyway, I suppose I should have qualified my statement about it and said that some users can't pause downloads, and some users have problems with large downloads.

 

Unfortunately that's all you get to hear about on support forums, when people are having problems, not when it's working good.

To go from some people having problems to a blanket statement that it won't let you resume a partial download is another matter, one at least you later retracted and clarified.

As I've said, mine is working fine and has never given me a problem, and no I'm not doing anything special as you insinuated (followed by a grin), apart from not loading thousands of extensions and plug-ins just for the sake of it and actually knowing how to use a computer beforehand.

 

Downloading too many extensions and plug-ins, and not actually knowing how to use a computer... that's a pretty good description of a lot if those who post problems on that forum. There are also a number of very knowledgeble users who can solve almost all the problems that are posted, the only answer I've seen to download manager problems is to use a different one. But I admit, I've never had problems with the Firefox download manager myself.