solved it was a problem with firewall setup NIS2006
see below copy of symantec response:-
Meenakshi: Hi, thank you for contacting Symantec Live Technical Support. My
name is Meenakshi. How may I help you?
Paul: I am having problems downloading files with IE6, the only solution I
have found is to Disable NIS2006 and restart windows firewall. I found this
solution in a MIcrosoft IE6 forum Is ther a known problem with NIS2006 and is
there a workaround as don,t want have to turn off NIS2006 evertime I
download a file
Meenakshi: I infer from your message that you have problems with downloading
files from internet. Am I correct?
Paul: Yes no prblems with outlook attachements. The download box appears but
only downloads for about 1 second and reports download complete
Meenakshi: Can you give me more information on the issue that you encounter?
This will help me troubleshoot effectively.
Meenakshi: I am awaiting your response.
Paul: I click to download the file select save as and then direct to
location and click save the download box starts to download and then reports
download complete after about 1 second. The file size to be downloaded was
3.2mb but the download was only 47k when download complete reported. running
XP SP2 ADSL router connection
Meenakshi: Do you receive any error messages?
Paul: No
Meenakshi: I need to get some more details in order to troubleshoot this
further. The answers will help me determine the best route to finding a
solution.
Paul: what info do you require
Meenakshi: Can I confirm your computer's Operating System as Windows XP?
Paul: yes with sp2 and with all updates
Meenakshi: Can you list the Symantec products installed on your system along
with their versions? (For Example: Norton AntiVirus (NAV) 2004/2005, Winfax
10.02...)
Paul: NIS2006 ver 9.0.0.73
Paul: Systemworks 2005 ver 8.02 build 6
Meenakshi: Thank you for providing the requested information.
Meenakshi: This issue can happen due to improper firewall rules.
Paul: do you have any more details and what do I change in the settings
Meenakshi: To fix this issue please run program scan. For better
understanding of the troubleshooting steps I suggest that you visit the
following URL:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nip.nsf/docid/2005081215094336?Open&src=con_ols_nam
Meenakshi: Please open Norton Internet Security
Paul: ok
Meenakshi: Now click on personal firewall and then click on configure.
Paul: ok
Meenakshi: Click on the programs tab
Paul: ok
Meenakshi: On the Programs tab, please check if you find any items listed
under Manual Program Control.
Paul: yes i have a number of programmes
Meenakshi: Click on the first item under Manual Program Control and then
press Ctrl+A on the keyboard. After you select all of the rules in the list,
click Remove, and then click Yes to confirm the removal.
Paul: ok
Meenakshi: Have all the items removed from the Manual Program Control list?
Paul: yes but some have started top re appear !
Meenakshi: Thats fine.
Meenakshi: After the rules are removed, click Program Scan, and then click
next
Paul: ok scanning
Meenakshi: The progress of the scan is displayed. This may take from 5 to 10
minutes to complete.
Paul: scan complete
Meenakshi: Okay
Meenakshi: After the Program Scan finishes, click Check All
Paul: okay
Meenakshi: Now click Next, on the final Program Scan window, click Finish.
You may leave the default selections as they are.
Click OK to exit the firewall configuration window.
Paul: okay
Meenakshi: Is Personal Firewall currntly disabled ?
Paul: no
Meenakshi: Okay then you can try to download a file from internet and check
if the issue persists.
Paul: just tried all ok many thanks for your help