Help with downloading .exe files please

Hi All,

I'm having real problems. I'm running Vista Ultimate and have never had any problems until a few days ago. Now I can't download any .exe programs.

Basically it brings up the box saying "Run" or "save", if I click on either it says downloading .exe file and starts the download. once it gets to 100% the box closes and nothing else happens. Even if i select "save target as" etc, i get the same thing. I've tried saving to desktop in order to be able to see the downloaded file but nothing.

Basically as soon as it says verifying the box closes and nothing else happens.

Not only that, but my AVG anti virus has stopped working. When I try turning it back on it says "unable to run".

If I try running AVG manually I get:-

"Your application has failed to stert because it's side-by-side configuration is incorrect. Please see the application event log for more details"

I have no idea what this means, it didn't do this a couple of days ago and I haven't changed anything on my system myself.

I am unable to just download AVG again as I can't download any .exe file (as mentioned above). Are the two problems linked??

I have been searching for hours on the net but haven't found anything that can help me.

I hope some of you have some ideas.

Many thanks

Paul

Just a shot in the dark, but have you checked in your browser preferences to see where the downloads go, usually makes a "Downloads" folder. Even though your download box closes right away doesn't necessarily mean that it's not saving your downloads.