Why So Many Corrupt Downloads!?

[Chris W]

I don't download much, but when i do, it is usually big files (eg games, so >200mb) and recently i have been finding that more and more of these are corrupted.

I have been watching the situation for a while and noticed a couple of things:
- i normally use wireless though a Linksys WRT54G, but even using an ethernet connection the same problem occurs
- it doesn't make a difference what type of file i am downloading, they still corrupt. crc check fails.
- Whether i download through ftp or peer to peer i still get the same problem.
- I have monitored my connection for an hour, continuous pings and only 1 packet lost in total.
- i don't use any download acceleration software
- my pc is sony lappy with win2k, 256mb ram and pIII 900mz.
- it doesn't matter where i save the files to.
- my pc is completely spyware/adware/malware/virus free (because i have to practise what i preach! )

Anyone got any ideas, because i am currenty trying to download priston tale, i am doing it in 10 37mb parts, and i have had to download them all 3 times each so far, and crc checks still fail when i am trying to un rar them. getting very now!

[danielf]

Where do you download from/ what are you downloading?

It it is copyrighted material, it may well be that corrupt files are purposely put out there to annoy people/put them off downloading stuff.

[Chris W]

nope it is legitimate downloads, for example http://eng.pristontale.com the game download is legitimate, infact is the only way to get it, and i know many people that have downloaded it with no problem.

I also had problems downloading the free trail of the studio mx software from the macromedia site and downloading ragrarok online as well.

I would understand if it was illegitimate, but they encourage people to download these things

[DrAwesome]

Originally Posted by monkeybreath

i normally use wireless though a Linksys WRT54G, but even using an ethernet connection the same problem occurs

I suggest you check your mtu settings read post #22 i have posted a link on there that checks your tcp/ip if your linksys has a mtu setting make sure its matched with your computer.

[danielf]

Beats me then, but I'm sure someone will be along that can help....

Edit: Oh look, soneone just has

[Paul K]

Have you checked the basics? Hard drive errors/ faults.
Anti-virus software disabled to make sure its not interfering.
Any firewall software disabled for testing?
Do you have anything running in the background at all while downloading?

[Chris W]

thanks, have installed the optimiser, although i have already set MTU size to 1500... i'm trying to download again now, so hopefully it will have helped!

[Chris W]

Originally Posted by Paul

Have you checked the basics? Hard drive errors/ faults.

none that i can find...

Anti-virus software disabled to make sure its not interfering.

yes

Any firewall software disabled for testing?

yes

Do you have anything running in the background at all while downloading?

sometimes, but have tried with nothing expect the essential system processes because i normally download over night

[philip.j.fry]

Are you using Internet Explorer to download, because it's known to have problems with downloading binary files. Though that wouldn't explain the p2p so it may be a more serious problem.

[Chris W]

Originally Posted by philip.j.fry

Are you using Internet Explorer to download, because it's known to have problems with downloading binary files. Though that wouldn't explain the p2p so it may be a more serious problem.

I have tried d/ling though IE and firefox 0.8...but still get the problem!

[kronas]

if the hard drive has been checked using hard disc utilities, try a memory test......

providing you can get hold of this file without it corrupting or using another pc.......

http://www.memtest86.com/memt30.zip

extract to hard drive, insert floppy, double click 'install.bat, once its finished copying to floppy, reboot and allow test to run, should show errors if there is anything wrong.