When I download something, the download box never has anything in it after downloading, so I cant open the item up from the download box, I have to go and find it where I downloaded it

I have firefox on my work and home computers - at the work on, I have a list of documents listed in my downloads box which I can access directly - great - on my home computer it shows while downloading, however as soon as it has finished downloading the box goes empty, I then have to minimise everything and find the downloaded item.