Thanks for all the replies, but nothing helped ( it's me who asked the question, I just registered after asking). So I used the right mirror, I used various mirror links actually, but the same result. It's probably something from this PC? I tried the same things from home, no problems, no mistakes.. but here I am behind proxy, at work, and behind god-knows-what security policies... but long story. I am sure I set up the proxy correctly( because in the beginning i got the wrong config and had different kind of fails ;) ) So maybe the problem is something local, but I have no idea what. I don't insist on using CPAN installation, I will be fine with manual configuration, but I am on Windows and don't have the make commands. Can someone suggest an alternative? Is dmake okay? Is there really a big difference between the two? I can get the modules that config with build-stuff, not the make-stuff, but not everything I need has it :( Or can I just download the module archives, extract and copy them in the perl folder - is that like a valid installation? And finally, I really, really just need some way to get the CPAN modules, if not fix my fails PS: If I write here, will someone take the time to help me? http://noc.perl.org as the source of contact details for the sysadmin(s).