A problem downloading images ...

[newbie]

On an earlier post about downloading images from Valry...
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,418212.0.html

I had this problem on Tues/Weds this week too.  I was just not able to download images from Ancestry!! it seemed to be doing it but I just couldn't locate the image, even searching the hard drive for the file couldn't find it.  But following the advicegiven to Valry -  to switch off protected mode which I followed the next day it worked. 
Is it really safe to leave it off?
Why would this suddenly happen? do you think Ancestry had a problem,maybe I should try again and see if it works with protected mode back on but it just seems a hassle to go through that again restarting puter x 2.
newbie

Added: 
I have just been reading an earlier post about Ancestry problems downloading images with IE8 and Vista , haha, I recently downloaded IE8, has that bug been fixed now or should I uninstall?( the PC with XP which I used to use most of the time  has gone to happy land and I have to use the laptop with Vista  for the time being!)

Any advice? thanks 
  newbie

[downside]

I hope this answers your question in reapect of protected mode:

To  improve  the  security  of  users’  computers  while  surfing  the  web,  Microsoft  has
established a new, stricter security model that operates when Internet Explorer 7 is run on
the Vista operating system  (other web browsers such as Firefox are not affected by  this
feature).    This mode  is  called  Protected Mode  and works  like  a  firewall  for websites. 
When activated, Protected Mode will only allow websites  to write  to your hard drive  if
they  have  been  specifically  listed  by  you  before  hand.   

If you have a firewall then you are already protected.  This protected mode thing seems to be surplus to requirements if you already have a firewall in my opinion.

[newbie]

hello downside,
thanks for the information about protected mode, but I am running IE8 now but presumably the same thing?
I am using Avast, but I think that has a firewall?
newbie

[downside]

1) IE8 same thing carried forward from IE7.
2) Avast is a anti-virus program - not a firewall.

Microsoft provide a free firewall but it is poorly rated.
A lot of people have downloaded Zone Alarm (the free firewall) but there are others like Comodo that is highly rated.

In Control Panel - click on Security Center and see what is listed as your Firewall.

[Nick29]

The problem with Windows firewall is that it only looks at data entering your computer, and not data leaving it.

[newbie]

Hi Downside -
Security Centre: - Windows Firewall is on.
Nothing else listed
hmm I better go get one.

Nick- many thanks for that info too.  Are you able to download images from Ancestry with no problems using IE8?
newbie

[Nick29]

No problem at all, but I am still using XP (weaning myself onto Windows 7)  

[newbie]

   ok.  I was thinking of a treat for Christmas - Windows 7?
I hate bloomin vista!  my old xp machine was sooo much better.
newbie

[newbie]

I re-enabled (is there such a word?)  protected mode and restarted computer, lost rootschat password and ancestry (again!!)  tried downloading an image from Anc - tried saving in two different places with two different file names  - nada, nil, zilch, nothing.....
 just not there all tho it looks just like it is doing it, asks for file name, location etc..... but absolutely not there!!
This will be a nightmare if for each image I have to turn off Protected Mode and then switch it back on?
I think I'll go back to IE7 now how do I do that please?