BleepingComputer.com: download problems

I used to have problems downloading software tom my imac which I believed were due to being a dinosaur still on dial-up web access.
I have now switched to 512kps b.band yet the problems comtinue. I have downloaded drivers for all my hardware easily enough but whichever sytem upgrade I attempt to load, I get thrown out half way & my download manager shows the message "awaiting data". I am on 10.2.4 and can't even download 10.2.5. This is preventing me downloading a decent browser (or is there a decent browser for 2.4)?

Help!!!

I am unfortunately not that familiar with macs, but is there a way to check the adapaters duplex settings? Also how are you connected ? Is the broadband modem going directly into the machine?