I recently moved over to FDM from JDownloader simply because it has way better download speeds. However I've had no end of trouble both with capturing download links and with resuming downloads that are paused/waiting to start.

To clarify I am using:
FMD v3.9.1 Build 1268
Firefox v16.0.2 and have installed the plugin

Firstly I cannot grab links directly off Firefox. I have to click to start link with Firefox's download manager, then copy the started download link from the Firefox download library into FDM for it to work.

Secondly if I copy these links over and add them to the queue, by the time the first downloads are complete the ones that are waiting to start no longer work. I get errors from "session timeouts" to "file not found on server", etc. However the files are there and still fully functioning and I have to go through the step listed above, re-add them to my download list and start them immediately.

This also sometimes happens mid-download. I have to go back to firefox. Re-open the link, download it again via the Firefox download, then copy the new download link from there to the properties box of my incomplete download before it will continue. It's becoming a nightmare as I can only download when I'm physically around to monitor and keep checking on FDM's status. With JDownloader I had terrible speeds but at least I could add a list of downloads overnight or all day and know that they'd all start and complete without any errors

I've tried emailing for support, but have received no reply to any of my submitted queries. Any help would be greatly appreciated

Your report is incomplete. Read "How to report a bug" to learn what is missing.

Now some general rules:

1. Always uninstall or disable other download helpers in your browser before installing FDM. Your broken FDM plugin should be also removed. Some actions require restarting browser to be finished.
2. Close your browser after successful uninstall and use task manager to make sure the browser process is no more active.
3. Run FDM installer as Administrator.
4. Do not install separate FDM plugin for Firefox if you are installing the newest FDM (beta/RC) version.
5. Every non-trivial program must be configured. In this case you must at least use FDM Options to turn on your browser monitoring.
6. Do not run Firefox yet! Your previous install seems to be broken so you must remove startup cache data from your browser profile. For Windows Vista and Windows 7 they are located in the following folder:
C:\Users\your-user-name\AppData\Local\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\random-name.default\startupCache
You may not find it if you haven't changed folder options to show hidden or system folders and files. Folder options you can find in Explorer menu or in Control Panel.
7. Now run your Firefox. It should inform you that a new addon is installed and ask you to confirm it.

You can find more details in older topics.

My tip:

1. If you can't grab the link off Firefox, don't click it. Copy the link instead to memory (to the Clipboard).
2. Start a new download on FDM, then paste the copied link onto it. Hit OK.
3. Do the same steps above on all desired remaining links.

Caryn, I think after you clicked the links directly on Firefox, those links' countdown timer are already triggered or something, then maybe that's why the remaining entries on your queue are already timed out when the first download entry has completed.