Cant Install or download ANYTHING!!!

Hi everyone. Im new here as well as new to Windows 7. I apologize to the members and the admins if this is in the wrong place to be posting this but my problem deals with mostly trying to download and install software.

Here's the situation:

1. I have an old Gateway computer that was factory installed with Windows XP 2005.

2. I wipe the computer clean and installed Windows 7.

3. After installing the 32bit copy I find that I cant download or install a thing. The two main things I want to download is Firefox and flash player.

4. What happens when I make an attempt? It shows the download box going all the way to 100% but then it disappears and nothing happens. I see the cursor with the little circle on the screen but that disappears too(the little circle). Nothing happens.

Ive tried everything from changing Users to doing it as a network administrator to adjusting security features to allow for downloading, even if its potentially unsafe. Nothing works. Ive been at this for days now and have hit the wall. Hoping for some new ideas. Thanks everyone for your time and suggestions.

Gornot said:

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

The sole fact that the computer dates all the way back from 2005 is a bit concerning about the performance you get form Windows 7, but that's not the issue here.

Do you have an anti-virus installed? If yes, which one? Maybe another firewall besides the Windows' default one?

If you had Win7 installed for a few days now, you should've definitely had messages from Windows Update about downloading important updates for your computer? Did you manage to download those?

Hi and thanks for the welcome and response.

Do I have anti-virus installed? No. Not as of yet. I didnt want to add anything in until I knew it wasnt going to disrupt anything. Basically all I have on my computer right now is the Internet explorer and the trash bin on my desktop. No other non-windows security features.

I did allow the computer to check for the most recent updates. I can see that they were installed the last couple of days.

Tews said:

Download and run Windows 7 upgrade advisor to see if you are fully able to run Windows 7 ..

Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

Nope sorry. Same thing. Anytime I try to download or install ANYTHING its basically "hands to the face, heck no" from the computer when I try. It starts to download and right before its about to execute or run its install wizard it vanishes without a trace. Its like the computer eats it or something to stop the whole process.

Is the fact that my computer is old that big of a deal? I mean if I have to I might consider going to my nuclear option and coughing up the money for a new and up to date machine with windows 7 already installed.

Try downloading something by saving it to your desktop, such as Firefox, and then try to run that file.

DeaconFrost said:

Try downloading something by saving it to your desktop, such as Firefox, and then try to run that file.

Tried that too. Got to save on my desktop...........got same result when I try to run it.

Well I think that its clear from what Ive learned online and offline that this is more of an issue where my hardware hasnt caught up with the software thats out there and thats why these annoying little problems come in. Most people who Ive talked to have problems but are able to overcome them due to their hardware being up to date.

Im going back to XP for now and Im now going into the market for a new pc. Any suggestions? Nothing over 700 bucks though.