This problem happened, after doing absolutely nothing. Okay, I know these things r not supposed to happen, but it did so I dunno what to do. Firefox just doesn't wanna download anything, by clicking on a link. It downloads normally, when I right-click on a link and select Save Link As. Otherwise, it shows the normal 'what-to-do' window asking me if I'd like to open the file or select where to download it, but neither of these works. If I select to open it with an application - it does nothing, if I select to download the file somewhere - does nothing again. I'm using Gentoo Linux 2005.0 release. I emerged firefox 1.0.3 and it was working fine for like a week or so, then... :\ Ideas, any1?

Have you tried killing the application and restarting it? Probably the only way to fix such issues.

I've even reemerged it, same shit... no idea what's going on and how the hell did it happen (I am/was using it as a normal user, not root).

I was having a similar problem. I problem occurs when you delete the default download directory that is stored in firefox settings. Try changing the default download directory (type "about:config" in the address bar and find the default download directory) to an existing directory. There is also a setting for the last downloaded directory or something like that. Make sure that it is valid. I don't know if it will work for sure or not, but you can try.

Go to Firefox EDIT menu

Click Preferences

Click on Downloads
--------> check/Tick on "Ask me where to save every file"
--------> (Also check on "Show Download manager window when a download begins" (if you prefer)

OMG, I am checking all available settings every time I have to install firefox, I've tried this - never works, since that problem appeared. When it asks me what to do, save or open, and I chose save, then I try to select a directory for saving the file in, it searches for 'files of type: Application' not for directories...
I never deleted my download directory, since its my home one And.. I can find where to change it in Edit --> Options, in about:config I was unable to find where it's stored.

I too have xtz's original problem.

I'm running ubuntu hoary, so it doesn't appear to be a distro related issue.

Hey, I'm getting this problem too!

I recently upgraded from FC3 to FC4 and now Firefox doesn't seem to want to download things. When I click on a link to download I get an hourglass and nothing happens. If I right click and select save as then it will download the file. This doesn't work for those links that go to a 'Select your mirror' site first.

I'll check my 'default' download directory at home tonight and see if that fixes it.