> just did a fresh reinstall of windows me and it still won't work, whenever I try
> to get files from some sites, like windows update, avg's website, guru3d, etc,
> the download starts and then hangs instantly. on some sites the downloads work
> fine... I just don't get it

That's just how Windows ME works. In fact I'm surprised XP and 2000 and 98SE and 98 and 95 don't do the same things...

Have you checked the "File Types" thing in My Computer? It specifies what IE should do with the files, download them or open them in an app...

maybe it depends on the file type