Unresolved issue with filter downloads

Hi

I recently bought and installed FF 4, and it worked fine for a few days.
Now I cannot download filters from the filter library.

When I try to download a filter (either through web, or obsolete in-program way) FF connects to the server, but then hangs on Getting the list of Filters for about a minute before giving the following message.
Initial data download failed. Reason: 'get_categories_list failed().'.
I am running Win 8 and, after I installed FF the first time, I was able to download filters with no problem (for about 3 or 4 days). Then it stopped working, and has not worked for over a week now. (As far as I know, no updates, which might have had an effect, were run on any other software on the computer between when Filter download worked and when it didn't)
I have reinstalled the program 3 times now, and have also tried it on a PC running XP. I have also tried 3 different browsers.
I have tried all the fixes suggested in the forums, and those sent to me by the support people, but still I get the error.

Any help would be useful

thanks

I have that problem now as well [Saturday evening 8/9/14].
I purchased FF4 a week ago and installed it on my Win 8.1 system. It worked fine and I was able to download dozens of filters and effects. However, after downloading a few more filters successfully this evening, suddenly all downloads fail with the message (Reason: 'get_family_categories_list failed'). My internet connection is working fine with other software. Trying a new 22 megabit connection did not resolve the problem.
Open to suggestions....

I get it irregularly, myself.