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Incomplete / Corrupt Download
Category: General


Question / Issue:
I downloaded X from you, but when I tried to run it it said 'file corrupt'

or

I tried to download X, but when I ran it it said 'not a valid .zip archive.'

or

I tried to download and install X, but when I ran it it said 'not a valid win32 application.'

Solution:

Sorry to hear you're having problems! Most likely, one of two things is happening:

  1. The file on our website is corrupt (highly, highly unlikely) or we were in the process of uploading a new version of the file just as you were attempting to download (highly unlikely).
  2. There was some glitch with your browser or your ISP during the download process This is almost certainly what's going on.

Note that #2 will probably be the case even if you keep trying to download and get the same results. Why? Because browsers (or ISPSs, without your knowledge) often cache data in mysterious ways, that, unfortunately, tend to persist even when you do things that you'd think would clear them up (like clearing the browser's cache).

Fortunately, the solution for these kind of problems is pretty straightforward.

  1. Clear your browser's cache. In MS Internet Explorer™ click on "Tools" and then "(Internet) Options" to bring up the Internet Options dialog box
  2. Click on "Temporary Internet Files "Delete Files" and "History "Clear History" as shown below:
  3. Reboot your computer
  4. Restart the download

If this doesn't work, try again, adding a step between 3 and 4 as such:

3.5. Wait a few hours

This "wait a few hours" is to allow your ISP's cache to expire, if there is one.

If this still doesn't work, do one of the following:

  1. Try the download from a different machine. This often solves the problem.
  2. Get a "download helper" program. We suggest GetRight (www.getright.com). GetRight is good at taking care of problems such as incomplete downloads or modems hanging up with partial downloads.