WP 2.8 can’t ftp to the server (plugin updates)

Whenever i try to uppdate/delete/install a plugin through the wp dashboard it asks for my ftp info, then waits for bout 20 seconds then the browser says it’s done loading the page, but the page is blank white (sidebar still there but no report info in body) and the transfer doesn’t take place.

This also happens when i click the upgrade wordpress link. So i doubt it’s a plugin conflict, more a problem connecting to my server.

any advice? i’ve already tried replacing the http.php file with the ‘fix’ that’s goin around the net, no luck ?? and made sure the plugins folder has write permissions too.