Grey screen when I try downloading something.

All download links or a specific one?
Can you give an example?

Do you have any type of internet plug-ins installed?

check in Library/Internet Plug-ins

or in Safari

Help > Installed Plug-ins

Alternately what happens if you right click the download link and choose download linked file as ...

Go to Safari prefs, click on the General tab at the top and then you will see a 'Save downloaded files to:' drop down menu where you can select where to place downloaded files when using Safari. If it is not the downloads folder in your home directory, choose it - if it is the downloads folder, choose something else. You may want to do a get info on your downloads folder and make sure permissions are correct.


If that has no effect I would try dragging all plug-ins in your internet plug-ins folder to the disabled plug-ins folder (if you don't have one, make one) and then restart Safari.

I am also assuming you have tried the "Reset Safari" option under the Safari menu?

I'm having exactly the same problem. Grey screen when I attempt to download something, experiencing trouble with firefox too - no grey screen but it just doesn't download. Problem since installing snow leopard.

I also has this same problem! The only way of downloading files such as pdf's, dmg's, etc... is by right clicking the link and saving the file. This works fine for a normal hyperlink but unfortunately many websites use flash or have agreements u must click in order to download. I have tried installing firefox to no success and have just tried to install chrome to see if it would work. Chrome however as u can see here...

http://www.google.com/chrome/eula.html?hl=en&brand=CHMB&utmcampaign=en-GB&utm_source=en-GB-ha-apac-aunz-sk&utmmedium=ha
has a link that cannot be "right clicked" and here in lies the biggest problem of the "grey screen" issue.
Chrome is not the only file i have found that cannot be "right clicked" and so this is a pressing issue for me. If there is anyone who has a suggestion please post it because it seams i am not the only person with this problem.
ps: I have tried to reset safari and have no plugins

And the right-click? Same?

Same for me here. I do have a download program but this is the first time I have issues...

I have this problem as well - it's very frustrating.

I was so frustrated that I phoned Apple, even they had no idea what I was talking about...

Has anyone else been able to fix this issue?

Brief: I have this problem too.

And it started with Snow Leopard. About to switch to Camino or Chrome as default browser until sorted.

I've seen two other people with this extremely odd problem... in both cases, they had Speed Download installed. Removing it solved the problem.

Has this been resolved? If so, please mark it solved and let us know what solved it, to help folks who find this topic in the archives later.

sorry when i say "tried installing firefox to no success" i mean i installed it and it has the same problem of not downloading but doesn't have the grey screen.