Downloading from MS from China

   Yo, got a problem here that I can't figure out.  I'm in China and I can't download certain types of things from Microsoft.
   Specifically, I can't download the TechNet Radio mp3s, nor can I download webcast PowerPoints from Hotmail links.  When I click on this type of stuff I get a new window that says 'Internal Server Error'.
   I'm in Beijing on a CNC ADSL line using XP Pro (a proud member of the Genuine Windows Disadvantage Program).  Is anyone else having this problem?
   I wrote to Microsoft US for help and they sent me the URL for their China site (not a big help as I don't read Chinese) and a phone number for some office here in Beijing that I'm sure will just be an exercise in frustration.
   Later - Joe

   Wow, it's really becoming a problem to download certain things from Microsoft's US web site here in China.
   Today I got the Download Notifications in Hotmail and wanted to get the Windows User State Migration Tool 2.6.2 and I couldn't do it.
   I'd really like to resolve this problem.  The Chinese site is totally useless to me, particularly if the tool is in Chinese.
   Is anyone else having this problem either in China or in another country?
   Some types of things I can download, for example; webcasts and game demos, etc.  Sometimes, however, even those types of downloads 'complete' before they actually are complete.  'go.microsoft' seems to be a problem, so I'm thinking it's some kind of weird Chinese DNS issue.
   I really spent quite a lot of $$$ on TWO genuine XP Pro licenses (when most here use the bootlegged stuff) and I STILL have issues!  It's really, really, really frustrating.
   All I can say is that my Apple iBook is looking better and better everyday.  If I didn't need to keep up to speed on Windows for my work I might abandon it altogether but I can't.  If I can't download the tools I need I can't keep up to speed anyway so I guess it's a Catch-22 situation.
   Sorry if I'm griping but it's frustrating.
   If I could get some feedback from other English users here in the PRC and/or other parts of the world it would be comforting.  I've tried turning off 'Show friendly HTTP error messages' and flushing the DNS cache to no avail.
   Later (perhaps really, really later) - Joe

Maybe this will help:

http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/filtering/china/China-highlights.html

http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/filtering/china/

http://labnol.blogspot.com/2005/12/how-to-access-blocked-websites.html

   Many thanks for the reply Matt, I appreciate it.
   I'm aware of the problem, I just don't see how the User State Migration Tool fits into the larger scheme of things!  Incidentally, that third URL wouldn't open.
   Virtually, I'm able to bypass certain restrictions, but it's a pain and slow.
   I guess what I'm trying to do here, besides get feedback from other English users in this country, is to make Microsoft aware of the problem.  Like I said, I wrote their tech support and they referred me to a web site that's in a language that I cannot read.  My next stop will be the Communities, if/when I have the patience to figure out which one is most appropriate.
   I'd also like to state that I've long been a champion of Microsoft products, and taken some ribbing for it, but this is a very frustrating situation.
   Thanks again - Joe