downloading software( any)

[bigalsbread]

I use Firefox(3.6) and every time I try to download something from the Internet the process begins and then will stop suddenly. Nothing I do will allow me to complete the download. But on rare occasions,for reasons I
don't understand a download will complete. I do not know why. I have a Dell Dimension E310 if that is of any significance.

[gregory]

Start to isolate the problem, i.e. does the problem lie with Firefox, your internet connection, etc.
Is it only when you download files? Do webpages load correctly?
Have you tried to download the same files with another browser, say Internet Explorer?
Are there other programs having network problems?