XP won't allow downloads????

[BadBackMan]

I've been using my new HP pavilion with Win XP on it for a week.

Lost my old HP running 98SE and some of the data. It is some of the "
Lost Progs I am trying to "redownload" and getting stange messages from XP and any browser.

I've been slowly transforming XP into something close to the Win 98SE I used for so many years. But, something strange and frustrating is happening and I can't figure out why.

The MS Windows Firewall is OFF.

And I am running Norton & ZoneAlarm Pro.

I have downloaded files from MicroSoft with no problems. But, when I try to download ANY OTHER FILE using either IE 6, or Netscape 7 I can't do it! For instance I can't download MailWasher?

When I try, I get these messages,

IE produces the message:

HTTP Error 403 - Forbidden
Internet Explorer and gives some strange unrelated web address in the "You are not authorized to view this page" rant.

and Netscape 7 offers up this message: "This Object Has Been Blocked" on a blank white page.

The only thing that is different in my computing world is the OS. Same ISP, same progs for the most part.

PC World Mag has the 'Hardforum' listed in "Where to go for Help!"

Appreciatively,

BadBackMan