DirectX 8.1 Upgrade Download Time Getting Longer?

This is strange: I went to Windows Update to download the DirectX 8.1 upgrade. The download time was listed as being 29 minutes. I was connected through my dial-up (DellNet by MSN) at 33,000bps, which is a rare occurrence of a slow connection speed. I logged off and logged back in at my usual speed (46,000bps), but this time the download time was listed as 40 minutes. I started the download, and watched the progress bar reach about a third of the way, but the download screen showed 36 minutes remaining (?). I cancelled the download and started from scratch. This time, the site said the download would take 56 minutes!

So, 29 to 40 to 56. Does anyone have a theory about what's happening?

Thanks,

Richard

Dimension 4100
Pentium III, 933 MHz
20GB Ultra ATA-100 Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
128MB 133MHz SDRAM
Windows ME
17" M781s Monitor
32MB NVIDIA TNT2 M64 AGP Graphics Card
48X Max Variable CD-ROM Drive
QPS Que! 16x10x40 CD-RW Drive
Soundblaster 64V PCI with Dell Jukebox
harman/kardon Speakers
V.90/56K Telephony Modem for WindowsME-Sound Option
QuietKey Keyboard
MS Intellimouse
Xerox Docuprint M750 Inkjet Printer