For this link:
ftp://ghtftp.cr.usgs.gov/pub/hazmaps/maps/

My browser took me to this web-page:

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FTP directory /pub/hazmaps/maps/ at ghtftp.cr.usgs.gov

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Up to higher level directory

06/09/1999 12:00AM Directory .
01/02/2001 12:00AM Directory ..
06/21/1999 12:00AM 6,030 000read.me
06/09/1999 12:00AM Directory compress
06/09/1999 12:00AM Directory exe
06/09/1999 12:00AM Directory pdf
06/21/1999 12:00AM Directory sea

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I would verify each character in the browser URL address filed and then try again. Also clear the cache or the browser will short circuit you to an error (404) statement.

Suggest you run scandisk and maybe the disk defragger. Also, you may have corrupted sectors on your disk and may need to re-install IE to restore the files for proper function.

Reboot in Safe-Mode. This will halt loading of all the application programs and will allow scandisk to work unhindered. Also run a full hard disk scan virus scan...you may have something messing with your system files.

You may also want to back up key files to CD before you get a full system crash. Got emergency start-up disks available ? Sometimes some application software is incompatible and slowly corrupts the file pointer system leading to file corruption. Running scandisk periodically may be able to forestall a bad outcome.

Good Luck...may the Force be with you! "yeah..., I know, cheesy..."

.02