I downloaded the gog downloader, but it won't start, even when i check the open box at the end of the installation? am i doing something wrong? is there a virus? is it my firewall? is it that i'm using chrome?

Once installed, you need to feed it some games :P

Go to your library and enable the downloader button, then when you click on downloads they will go to the downloader.

I tried to download baldur's gate 2. the downloader won't open.

Hmmm. Well the downloader can default to the tray, although not usually until at least the first time you've run it...

and now it's worse. i try to redownload baldur's gate, but it says "download won't open"

Hmmm.. un-install and re-install... beyond that i'm not sure what to suggest...

I don't know - but maybe try a re-install? Or try to start it via the Windows Start Menu (and then - if it starts [check the Tray!] - check its settings)

I literally just got done downloading both Baldurs Gate 1 & 2, using the GOG Downloader (installed some time back); and just installed both games with no problems. So I feel safe assuring you it isn't either the GOG Downloader or either Baldur's Gate game that is specifically the problem.

(I then I went on and dl'd all the mods noted here; although ofc not via the downloader. You can guess what I'm getting set to play.. <g>)

[Edit]: BTW I also used Chrome (well, SRWare Iron - a Chrome variant) to browse my library and initiate the downloads.

i tried to re-install, but it didn't work. i also tried to use the start menu (it's windows 8) maybe the firewall?
edit: i tried the firewall. it didn't change a thing. does windows 8 not allow the downloader?

I think you should probably look over the sticky thread about the downloader, you might find what you're looking for there... except i'm not seeing it... hmmm...

Recent versions of windows insist you confirm you wanted to run an application/installer (which is good), perhaps admin access wasn't granted?

To my understanding the GoG downloader uses regular FTP interfaces so you shouldn't need special workarounds for firewalls... Usually those are when you want to act as a server or something.

I didn't get any of that. can i just use a normal downloader?

If the downloader gets broken after using it deleting this folder usually helps (may differ depending on the OS you use):
C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local Settings\Application Data\GOG.com

Since it seems that it didn't work for you to begin with I guess it may be about the .NET framework. You can download it here. Pick the grey box on the right (which says "Install .NET now").
You can. There is a "GOG.com Downloader mode" switch on the account page. You see it after selecting a game, in the regular shelf view it's on the top right, in list view it's just above the downloads. If you turn it off you can download stuff in a regular manner through your browser.

You can download most games this way just fine, it only tends to become an issue in case of larger games where you will have to manually download several files and may get a corrupted download (which means that you will have to redownload the entire thing unless you try again using the downloader). And with the downloader you can download a single game over many sessions without losing download progress when you turn off your PC, it's a luxury you don't have if you download via browser.

As F4LL0UT says, you can. If you have a download client (Download them all, Getright, or something) go ahead, turn the downloader mode off and just download away. But the likelihood of it being corrupted or stopping early and not telling you is higher. In those cases a forced checksum is best going via the options in the installer before actually installing the game.

I hope you get the downloader working, or your games (whichever works).

Windows version independent location is %localappdata%\GOG.com

If you go to C:\Programfiles(x86)\GOG.com\ & double click on GOG.com Downloader.exe, does a box come up and ask you to log in?