firmwarer wont update

Hey folks got a question from a non literate computer person. So i got an email from netgear saying my router needs a firmware update for security reason. So i followed the link to their page and clinked the link to the router log in entered my password it would not accept it tried a few times no luck. Went to netgear download page entered my router model found the update wrote down the instructions to the letter followed them completely it would download a file that i had to extract however the hell you do that but everytime i tried to open it said it was corrupt and didnt work. Tried like ten times gave up. Ran mcafee scan on whole system to make sure no virus its all fine. Router is like a year and half old out of warranty and support netgear wants me to pay for support wont do that. Router still works. Went to my genie on desktop signed in in the setting wnet to update it just spins that little wheel thing and then says cant get firmware. Turned it off unplugged tivo stuff tried again nothing. Searched the web got so much stuff to try and i am not hiring the witchdoctor to come cast a update spell. Sorry for the long post just wanted to give as much ifo as possible. Should i just leave it? Dont think i need a new one yet. How long do router last? I have no clue about all the admin stuff i know how to surf the web and minor stuff. Thanks for any help.