Author Topic: can't download since last MS updates (Read 15395 times)

Brynn · « **on:** July 16, 2007, 08:51:50 AM »

Hi Friends,
Ever since I last downloaded and installed Windows updates from MS, I have been unable to download anything from the internet. I keep getting a dialog box that says "Your current security settings do not allow this file to be downloaded." And then the only choice is to click OK.

I have searched up and down, inside and out IE 7, but I can't figure out what's blocking the downloads. Could there have been some change brought about by my recent Windows updates, which might be causing this? Because just before updating, I was able to download without any problems.

Where should I look, and what settings might be involved, that I can change? Thank you very much for any comments.

Brynn

babyoh · « **Reply #1 on:** July 16, 2007, 12:45:53 PM »

HI BRYNN

- just my 2 cents

, until someone more knowledgeable comes along.
* i have oddball things like this happen somewhat regularly.
do you only use ONE browser?
i have several - and it helps to troubleshoot: i see whether i have the same problem in ALL of them, or just ONE.
(a problem just in ONE browser tends to be that browser's settings; a problem in ALL is usually something like a firewall muckup, or an overly-aggressive security app gone overboard.)
*
Do you have automatic updates set to ON for any security apps? - if so, it's possible it was something other than the ms update... (something that updated in the bg, that you didn't know about).
* i have ie 7, but don't use it often.
*IDEAS:
turn the MS Firewall ON, and your regular one OFF (when you're offline, of course)- then pop back online and see if you still can't download).
- i found people with similar problems, by googling variations of:
"ie 7" "can't download" anything

* here's info from one post:
Open 'Internet Properties' of IE 7 and click the 'Security' tab. Click the 'Custom Settings' and scroll down the window that opens. You will find a title 'Downloads' and a subsection for the download of files. It can be either 'Enable' or 'Disable'.

If you are using a 'High' security level setting in IE, then such things are set as disabled, for high security. Change general security setting, if you want to, to 'Medium-high' which is the usual general use setting.

- hope this is some help: sorry you're having the trouble.

SpyDie · « **Reply #2 on:** July 16, 2007, 02:55:56 PM »

Also, a long shot but there is a registry key that disables Internet Explorer downloads:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\3

is the key. So if either open up regedit and make your way to that key (Start > Run > regedit). The registry value is "1803" and it's a REG_DWORD value. Just double-click on it, and tell me what it says under "Value Data". However if you wish, copy/paste this into a Command Prompt window (Start > Run, tpye in cmd.exe and hit OK) and it'll export the key for you, and save the contents to a file.

reg query "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\3" /v "1803" >>C:\1803.txt

It'll export it to C:\1803.txt. Post the contents of that. It's a long shot, but it wouldn't hurt to see.

Ripley · « **Reply #3 on:** July 16, 2007, 04:34:25 PM »

Hey Brynn

Just did a quick search too, and I am not seeing much else being reported that connects that message with July MS updates, but it is early yet. In fact, I notice people reporting that message as far back as a few yrs ago, and "seemed" to narrow down to a security setting of IE.

Is it possible you changed one of your zone settings recently, say some time in June, and hadn't initiated a download since July updates causing that message? Sometimes I forget the settings changes I make, so either keep a record of the individual changes as a .txt file, or even easier, save a screen shot of it, for reference to go back to.

If you are convinced they are July updates which wouldn't be so long ago, one option would be to restore back to before the July updates and see if that "fixes" it. I believe MS automatically creates a restore point with MS updates (Software Distribution Service is how I identify them). Regardless, I always manually create a restore point before I install them. Remember, you would want to re-install them if it didn't "fix" things.

Another trouble shooting option would be to attempt the same download in an alternative browser like Firefox or Opera. Wouldn't be an option now if no downloads are permitted, but it is one of the advantages to having a "backup browser", and came in handy when I had a different problem with IE.
EDIT: babyoh already mentioned this

Was IE7 one of the included updates that you choose to install in July? I don't have IE7, but just looked at the security zone settings in IE7 with a simulation of it here> http://www.simplehelp.net/2006/11/03/screenshot-simulation-internet-explorer-70-options/

There are some new settings in there that are not included with IE6. If you have been "customizing" beyond the default security level of IE7...do any of those "new" settings narrow it down?

General cautions while you are changing...possibly lowering a security zone settings would be to have a real-time monitor enabled while you are trouble shooting and testing downloads. Additionally, changes (on/off) in the IE>Internet Options>Advanced section would apply global changes to all zones as I understand it.

<BTW, for my info, is it called Internet "Properties" now in IE 7 instead of Internet "Options"?>

Brynn · « **Reply #4 on:** July 17, 2007, 04:06:42 PM »

Hey babyoh, SpyDie and ripley!
Thanks for your comments. You know, this problem may actually have nothing to do with my recent updates. It's just that they're the only significant changes I've made since I was last able to download.

babyoh, yes I am using IE 7 exclusively, at present. I've been threatening to get some other browsers, and several have been recommended. But I can't seem to build up the patience I need to learn how to use them, all their tricks and secrets, and such. Sigh....I think I may be growing resistant to change (in general), in my old age

Alas....and the heat of summer, when it doesn't cool off enough to sleep until 3 am, and 10 minutes after your shower you wonder why you even bothered

.....just doesn't inspire much patience, ya know?

Oops, anyway, getting back to the topic -- I have also thought about switching firewalls as a troubleshooting step. My firewall has caused trouble in the past (not necessarily with downloading). But since mine doesn't get updates, it doesn't seem to be a likely culprit, in this case. Nevertheless, I'll try the switch right after I post this reply.

Oh yes, I'm quite familiar with IE 7's security settings. Even though I haven't made any recent changes, I did look to make sure there hasn't been an inadvertent change. "File download" is set to "Enable". So all is well there.

Ah SpyDie, I so treasure your longs shots, hunches and such

! Even if they don't solve the problem, I always learn something from them. Ok, I'm not sure if you gave me 2 different instructions for finding the same info, or if they are entirely separate things. The Value Data is "0" without the quotes. And I'll try the 2nd part.....ok, if I did it right, the results are:

Quote

! REG.EXE VERSION 3.0

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\3
1803 REG_DWORD 0x3

What's it mean?

ripley, yes I'm aware of the changes to the security zone settings brought about by IE 7. I recently discussed this in a topic at the CoU forums [here]. I guess it's a little bit off the subject, but the thread contains a good bunch of resources for potential future readers. And the simulation to which you linked, will make a nice addition to that collection

Unfortunately, I don't think any of those new settings are part of this problem, because I had not changed them prior to my trouble downloading. Nor had I changed any of the Advanced settings. The current configuration permitted downloads, before.

System restore may well be my best option....but not a long-term fix. Because won't I still have to go back and get my Windows updates? Or could the updates have somehow become corrupt? Meaning that Restore, and re-Update might solve this problem?

I'm still stumped!

Thanks again for everyone's comments

SpyDie · « **Reply #5 on:** July 17, 2007, 04:38:03 PM »

Sorry Brynn, I just gave 2 ways of finding the same info

. Sorry if I confused you there!

Now I am curious, but everything points to enabling file downloads, besides that registry value. The export says the value is 3, which disables IE's downloads.

I think you may have looked at the wrong value. Somewhere along the line Windows has oppsie-ed. Either that, or I am talking rubbish!

Attached to my post is a registry file, download it (doesn't matter where to). Before you launch it, make sure IE is closed. Launch the registry file, it'll ask confirmation, answer Yes. Restart the computer and see if it worked. If it didn't, something somewhere else has oppsie-ed!

Have no idea if this is related to the recent MS Updates though.

HTH

[attachment deleted by admin]

Brynn · « **Reply #6 on:** July 18, 2007, 01:59:40 PM »

Thanks SpyDie,
I'm sure you are NOT talking rubbish!

Well, at least we've identified the problem...part of it, at least.

I followed your 1st instruction (in your 1st reply) again and again, and always the Value data is 0. We are WAY out of my league here, so I'm wondering if I/we should be concerned about the fact we have tried 2 different ways to get the same info, and it turned up 2 different answers?

Unfortunately, I am unable to open your attachment. Everytime I click on it, the number of times downloaded increases. But I'm not getting the download (surprise?). Instead, I get the "Internet Explorer cannot display the page" screen. "Most likely causes: You are not connected to the internet, The website is encountering problrms, Typing error in the address" Since none of those potential causes can be possible, I'm guessing the problem is on my end.

If you posted that info in a reply, is there some way I can...launch it by copying and pasting somewhere? Or else, is there another way to do it? (

I'm starting to get a bad feeling about this.)

SpyDie · « **Reply #7 on:** July 18, 2007, 02:31:49 PM »

Brynn,

Why it turned up that when you tried to download I haven't got a clue. We could try this:

Copy/paste the contents of the 'Code' box below into a Notepad window. Save it as Brynn.reg (you'll need to change the 'Save As Type' to 'All Files').

Code: [Select]

REGEDIT4

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\3]
"1803"=dword:00000000

If you saved it correctly, the file will have an icon similiar to what Regedit has. Remember to exit I.E completely. Launch the registry file, it'll ask confirmation, answer Yes. Restart the computer and see if it worked.

As to the different answers, that has completely threw me aswell. Out of curiousity though, was I.E open when you looked at the value through regedit?

Brynn · « **Reply #8 on:** July 18, 2007, 08:33:25 PM »

Quote

"Out of curiousity though, was I.E open when you looked at the value through regedit?"

Yes.

I have saved the code and now will close IE before launching. (I'm assuming that launching will be accomplished by Opening, or double-clicking?) I'll be right back and report results

Brynn · « **Reply #9 on:** July 18, 2007, 10:23:07 PM »

Hey, good news!

I've been able to download a couple of files, and the problem appears to be fixed. I still can't open that attachment, which is a puzzle, but happily not one that needs to be solved at this moment

Thank you SpyDie. You've done it again! I LOVE LandzDown!

Brynn · « **Reply #10 on:** July 18, 2007, 10:29:22 PM »

UH-OH!

Spoke too soon. Both files are corrupted. Let me fool around and try to figure out what might have gone wrong. I'll post back soon.

Brynn

Brynn · « **Reply #11 on:** July 18, 2007, 11:25:45 PM »

Ok, well I WAS able to download 2 files, but later found they were both corrupted. I could not open them.

So I went through the whole launching of the...what, the key, registry key? Then restart. So then, I was having exactly the same problem as before -- "Your security settings don't allow downloads". So I did the whole launching sequence again, just to be sure. But no luck. Now I'm getting the same error -- my security settings don't allow downloads.

Then, I went back and tried you original 2 instructions, the ones that get the same info 2 different ways. Well, now it looks like they're turning up the same info. The Value data is still 0. But the 2nd part now yields

Quote

! REG.EXE VERSION 3.0

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\3
1803 REG_DWORD 0x0

What can we try next -- any ideas? Comments?

SpyDie · « **Reply #12 on:** July 19, 2007, 11:05:44 AM »

I'll research and test a bit more, maybe more registry values are involved than just that one. Although, both come back with the value of 0 which is good

One more question: In IE's options, what level is the 'Internet' Zone set to?

Paddy · « **Reply #13 on:** July 19, 2007, 12:14:16 PM »

Maybe its a user Account problem ..

are you loged in as Admin or guest Account?

numbnuts..

Brynn · « **Reply #14 on:** July 20, 2007, 07:01:26 AM »

SpyDie, my Internet Zone and Trusted Zone are both set at custom levels. I can give you details about how they're set up, if you need them. But I had not made any changes to them. As I said earlier, I had been able to download with them set exactly as they are, before whatever happened happened.

numbnuts, I am logged in to admin account.

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Author Topic: can't download since last MS updates (Read 15395 times)

Brynn

can't download since last MS updates

babyoh

Re: can't download since last MS updates

SpyDie

Re: can't download since last MS updates

Ripley

Re: can't download since last MS updates

Brynn

Re: can't download since last MS updates

SpyDie

Re: can't download since last MS updates

Brynn

Re: can't download since last MS updates

SpyDie

Re: can't download since last MS updates

Brynn

Re: can't download since last MS updates

Brynn

Re: can't download since last MS updates

Brynn

Re: can't download since last MS updates

Brynn

Re: can't download since last MS updates

SpyDie

Re: can't download since last MS updates

Paddy

Re: can't download since last MS updates

Brynn

Re: can't download since last MS updates