I am just adding some general comments, as I note you have not received any replies yet.

Asking how long a file takes to download, is rather like asking how long the proverbial piece of string is. Presumably you have some idea what your connection speed is and how long it would normally take to download typical files.

The problem could be caused because some sort of security software, firewall, Anti Virus, or whatever is blocking the action. In which case consider temporarily disabling such software.

What browser are you using at present, an earlier version of firefox, or an entirely different browser ?

Have you seen this:

• How to download and install Firefox on Mac
• and What to do if you can't download or save files

If you read the above linked information, and then post back again I am sure someone will try to assist you.

On a Mac a full update is rather large file (about 18 MB).
So be sure not to miss the smaller incremental updates that are much smaller.

See http://releases.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/3.6.13/update/mac/en-US/

I know TTempest already picked your solution, but I think there's some misunderstanding of what the actual issue is, or at least there appears to be as more people continue to have this problem, myself included.

What happens is, whether I download the entire update or just the smaller one, I cannot actually update Firefox, as it I get a pop-up telling me that it's "connecting to the update server", but it never connects. I have tried several times and it always gets stuck in the same spot. On one occasion, I left it to try to connect for about 6 hours... no dice. The problem isn't download speed, it's that there's no downloading going on whatsoever. There's no firewall, virus software, etc. Nothing like that. I have no problem downloading or installing anything else, just this Firefox update. I'm on a Mac mini with OS 10.6.5. Thanks!

I will have t leave it to others to come up with further ideas, but it would not harm to try in Safe Mode of firefox, and to follow suggestions as the linked in my earlier reply which includes resetting the download folder preferences.

See:

• How to fix the Update Failed error message when updating Firefox
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Software_Update (Software Update not working properly)

Remove the files in the updates and updates/0 folder:
Mac: /Applications/Firefox.app/updates

XP:

C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Local Settings\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Mozilla Firefox\updates
(%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Mozilla Firefox\updates)

Vista/Windows7:

C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Mozilla\Firefox\Mozilla Firefox\updates
(%LOCALAPPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Mozilla Firefox\updates)

I am having the same problem. Also I had Firefiox on my computer but it would not open so I uninstalled it to re install. Previously when I downloaded Mozzila I had no problems.

@ cor-el Your 2nd post when I view it is breaking its container. See my post https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/questions/788460

Are you seeing the same problem  ? (do you have problems with the current thread ? )

I experienced this same problem of the update not connecting to the server so I downloaded a fresh version of 3.6.15 and installed it. It picked up all my settings immediately and so problem is solved!

Here's a link for 3.6.15 for Mac as I found it hard to find it the firefox site (?):

http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/10700/firefox