Downloads then nothing?

[Pinky_Ranger]

Hi I have a new HP Pavillion Laptop running vista home premium. I also have a Maxtor external hard drive thing (see why I need help!:o) connected via USB.

 

OK, my problem is, that when I download something from the internet e.g. a picture attachment from an e-mail, it goes through all the motions of downloading to the temp folder, then nothing. I was kind of expecting the picture to then open up in a new window, but nothing happens. A quick search on my comp to see if I can locate the file and nothing under that name comes up.

 

It is the same with applications. I have managed to get Open Office up and running eventually, but I have no idea how I eventually managed to do it. I think I may even have saved it to the Maxtor external drive or something. When I try and download an application from the internet once again, it goes through all the motions of downloading to the temp file and nothing. It doesn't matter if I choose run or save.

 

Any help gratefully received.

Thanks

Jem x

[RandyL]

Hi Pinky. You have to look to where you are saving it when you save it no matter if it's a pic or anything else. For instance if you're saving a pic from a web page choose save picture as: In the box that opens up you'll see where it's being saved in the address bar. You can also choose a different location by picking or navigating a directory on the left side of the save picture: dialogue box.

 

Nothing will open up and display it until you go to that location and open it up.

 

It's the same with a program if you choose to save it. If you choose run it will download and install usually to the Programs folder.

 

With email attachments you have to do the same as with pics.

 

Since Open Office downloaded and installed it seems that function is working correctly.

[Pinky_Ranger]

Hi, I don't get an option to choose where to save to though, the options are run or save? Whilst it is downloading it says it is saving to the 'temp' folder, but a search on the machine comes up with nothing.

 

If it was actually saving, it would show up in a search wouldn't it?

 

Thanks

Jem x

[RandyL]

If those are the options it's probably an exe file. If you choose save then you will still get an option as to where to save it.

[Pinky_Ranger]

If I choose save there are no options, it just carries on and saves and says it is saving to the 'temp' folder. Same happens if I click run, says saving to temp, but nothing.

 

If it's a picture file the options are save or cancel.

Edited October 4, 2008 by Pinky_Ranger

[Pinky_Ranger]

Thanks for your help so far :-)

 

Someone just sent me an e-mail with an attachement (what good timing!) so I can give you a run through of what happens.

 

I clicked on the attachment to open it, a warning came up on the top of the screen saying 'this site wants to download something to your computer' so I clicked on the go ahead to download. Next I have a pop up box which has 3 options, 'open', 'save' or 'cancel'.

 

Clicking 'open' - Downloads to 'Temporary Folder', then nothing. clicked the window start button and typed October (begining of filename) into the search box. It found a PDF called 'October.......', so I clicked on it and a message pops up saying, windows is searching for the file 'october.....' to find it yourself click browse." Have waited and now a box has popped up saying "The item 'october.....' that this shortcut refers to has been changed or moved, so this shortcut will no longer work properly. Do you want to delete this shortcut? Yes/No." (Clicked yes)

 

 

Clicking 'save' - Another box pops up and I can indeed choose where I want to save the picture (sorry :-) ) Choose where I want it saved and click ok. Open the picture folder and the new folder I created specially so I would be able to find the pic easily... Lol, but it is completely empty. No pic. Another search and nothing is found.

 

Hope this clarifys what happens a bit better.

Thanks

Jem x

[Seth]

Hi Jem.

 

Are you using Internet Explorer and/or any sort of download manager?

 

Click on the following link to download a test program called "Treesize". When the link opens, click on "Download.exe". The Open/Save/Cancel will appear. Choose Save, and a new window will appear asking you such things as to where on your computer you want to save the file. Save it to your desktop. Does it appear there now?

 

JAM Software - Windows Freeware

[Seth]

You wrote your last post while I was writing my last post.

 

Sounds like the folder you created for the downloads is corrupt. Try my previous suggestion and see if the download appears.

 

If it does, create a new folder on the desktop called "Downloads" and attempt to download something into it.

[Pinky_Ranger]

Hi I clciked to download the .exe and chose to download it to my desktop.

 

Went to desktop and nothing has appeared.

 

Did a search and the search shows a zipped folder called TreeSizeFree and if I hover over it, it says location C:/Users/Comet/Desktop, but if I click on it, I get that same thing "windows is searching for the file 'TreeSizeFree' to find it yourself click browse." Once again waited and a box popped up saying "The item 'TreeSizeFree' that this shortcut refers to has been changed or moved, so this shortcut will no longer work properly. Do you want to delete this shortcut? Yes/No."

Edited October 4, 2008 by Pinky_Ranger

[Seth]

Let's have a look at what's running on your computer. That is if you're able to find and run the following file:

 

 

Please download the latest version of HijackThis from Trend Micro and click on Download Hijack This Installer and save it to your desktop.

• Doubleclick HJTInstall.exe to install HijackThis.
  
• By default it will install to C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis .
  
• Click on Install.
  
• It will create a HijackThis icon on the desktop.
  
• Once installed, it will launch Hijackthis.
  
• Click on the Do a system scan and save a logfile button. It will scan and the log should open in Notepad. Include this log by copying and pasting in your next reply.
  

Notes:

Do not use the AnalyseThis button, its findings are dangerous if misinterpreted.

Do not have Hijackthis fix anything yet. Most of what it finds will be harmless, or required for your computer to run like it should.

[Pinky_Ranger]

Hi, I clicked Download Hijackthis installer and chose to save it to my desktop. I said it was saving. Checked the desktop. Nothing. Did an advanced search this time (am learning, but just not right thing!:D) for 'hjt' and nothing came up. Searched everywhere - which took a while - and nothing found.

[Seth]

Ok. Choose the executable instead, then choose "Run".

[Pinky_Ranger]

OK, chose Executable, clicked 'run' the blue bar zoomed up to say it was downloading, Then a verifying window pops up and asks "Do you want to run this software?" Clicked run again and then nothing.

 

Did a quick search for hij, but came up with nothing.

[Seth]

I have to go and will be back in about an hour. Here are some options that i would pursue, and I'll elaborate on them when I get back if no one else does:

 

1) Reset Internet Explorer.

 

2) Somehow managing to get HijackThis to run to see the state of your software and possible malware.

 

3) Seeing if the issue occurs in Safe Mode With Networking.

 

4) Performing a System Restore.

[Pinky_Ranger]

OK, thanks for your help Seth, I'll play around with hijackthis while your gone!

Jem x

[Goku]

Here are some instructions that elaborate Seth's previous set of suggestions.

 

1. How to use Reset Internet Explorer Settings (RIES)

 

2. Try to get HijackThis on external media like CD, DVD or flash drive and then perform the instructions Seth suggested. Post back the requested log file and he will read it for you and deduce the source of the problem.

 

3. To get into the Windows 2000 / XP Safe Mode with Networking, as the computer is booting press and hold your F8 Key which should bring up the Windows Advanced Options Menu as shown below. Use your arrow keys to move to Safe Mode with Networking and press the Enter key.

 

http://www.theeldergeek.com/images/Repairing%20Windows%20XP/pic1A.gif

 

4. Use System Restore to Undo Changes if Problems Occur

 

Hope that helps.

 

-- Goku

[Seth]

Thank you Goku:)

[Pinky_Ranger]

OK, I have tried resetting IE - didn't work.

 

Tried dowloading HiJackThis to both the maxtor external hard drive and also an Emtec Giga cube - didn't work. The giga cube was flashing and clicking like it does when it's saving, but when I looked for HJT it wasn't there.

 

I am currently in safemode - URGH! - is everything supposed to be this huge!!!:eek: Lol!

 

The last thing to try is a system restore, so I will read all about it and give it a go.

 

Thanks for everyones help so far - really appriciate it. Sorry it's not working but I may open a book on user error being the problem..... :D

[Pinky_Ranger]

P.S. I have to get out of this safe mode it's horrid!!!

[Seth]

Lol. yes it's supposed to be huge as the video drivers aren't loaded in Safe Mode. I'll be sure to mention that in the future.

 

BTW- You have to be in Safe Mode With Networking for the internet to work (SMWN) for short.

[Pinky_Ranger]

BTW- You have to be in Safe Mode With Networking for the internet to work (SMWN) for short.

 

Yes chose that option. I'm not stupid :rolleyes:......Lol! OK I did it twice once in safe and then in safe with networking when I reread your message!!!!

[Pinky_Ranger]

Oh hang on I have Vista, not XP, do you have the instructions for system restore for vista?

[Seth]

Any luck with SMWN?

 

Windows Vista Help: System Restore: frequently asked questions

[Pinky_Ranger]

Sorry I just realised that the site you linked to was microsoft, so I found them. All by myself (am v.proud of myself now!!! Lol!)

 

They are here, in case anyone else has this prob:

 

Windows Vista Help: Turn back time on your PC

[Pinky_Ranger]

Any luck with SMWN?

 

No, unfortunately not.

 

OK am going to try a system restore.... I may be sometime..... It was nice knowing you if I don't make it back :p