Resolved Keep getting invalid downloads, "xyz.zip is not a valid Win32 application."

This may or may not be a browser problem. I can't be sure.

Starting about a day ago, using both Firefox (3.0.8 & 3.0.9) and IE6, no matter what program installation files I download from the web, even though they complete, they won't open and run. Instead of opening I get a message, for example, "xyz.zip is not a valid Win32 application."

I tried turning off ZoneAlarm (after turning on the Windows XP firewall), and also switching between admin and non-admin modes of FF and IE, but this has made no difference.

It seems that I can't download any program files and get them to run anymore.

Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks!

Frank D

BTW: I just tried downloading in FF's Safe Mode and it still made no difference.

Also, I just ran sfc /scannow. It found nothing and there was no difference after running it.

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Jump to bottom: Problem solved!

 

Are you downloading using a download manager/download accelerator? If so, try not using the download manager/download accelerator. Any difference? Are these downloads from the same site? Try a different mirror/site for your download

Also see Not a vaid Win32 Applications

 

Runner, I'll answer your second question first, since my downloading history may be erased when I uninstall my download manager(s). After I run the test, I'll tell you what I'm (or was) using.

This is two days' worth of attempted downloads (actually they were fully downloaded, but will not run or open):

http://www.anvir.com/taskfree.exe
http://www.auslogics.com/en/downloads/disk-defrag/disk-defrag-setup.exe
http://files.giveawayoftheday.com/FoxonicProfessional32.zip
http://voxel.dl.sourceforge.net/sourceforge/javara/JavaRa.zip
http://www.dll-files.com/dllindex/msvcp70.zip

Frank D

 

Some other areas: Your OS is listed as XP Pro SP2 are the apps you are trying to download compatible or are they looking for XP Pro SP3? Do you use anything like CCleaner to clean out temp files, browser cache and other junk that accumulates. I use and recommend CCleaner slim no toolbar. I do not use or recommend the registry cleaning feature of CCleaner.

 

Runner,

Thank you for your suggestions!

Using both Firefox and IE6, after the uninstallation of the Firefox add-on download managers, I have had success with opening and running the .exe files, but there was no change on the .zip files.

In answer to your first question:
My download managers were Download Helper 4.3 and FireDownload 1.0.1, both Firefox add-ons, which I just uninstalled. IE6 had no helper installed. I then tried all the links again, with the results above.

In answer to your next question, "are the apps you are trying to download compatible or are they looking for XP Pro SP3?" my answer is that applications are not dependent on an SP (anybody else out there want to comment?).

As for CCleaner, I've used it to clean my temp files, and I've cleared my Firefox and IE6 caches, with no changes in the results just cited.

Now my only remaining problem is getting the .zip files to open and run.

Frank D

 

If you're using zone alarm - not sure which product you are using - turn off privacy (mobile code, ads, cookies) for the firefox zip download - does it work? Which zone alarm product and version? Or is it the free firewall? Is the software being downloaded compatible with your computer's OS? Are you on dialup?

runner

 

I'm using ZoneAlarm Pro, version 8.0.059.000 / Anti-spyware engine version 5.0.202, DAT file version 01.2009054.5735.

I have no idea what you mean by "turn off privacy (mobile code, ads, cookies) for the firefox zip download" and don't know how to do that or why I should do that.

All the software that I'm downloading are not only compatible with my OS (WinXP Pro), but are simply updates to programs I am already running very nicely on my computer as-is. I have had absolutely no problems downloading, opening, or running these programs in the past, only in the last two days.

I am not on dial-up. I have a broadband (cable) connection.

Frank

 

Problem solved!

There were two separate problems: (1) was that I couldn't open or run/install the contents of downloaded .zip files, and (2) was that I couldn't run downloaded .exe files.

Problem (1) was solved by using Windows Explorer's Tools > Folder Options > File Types command to reassociate .zip files with WinRAR (the program I normally use for dealing with .zip files). For some unknown reason it had gotten messed up.

Problem (2) was solved by disabling/uninstalling the "FireDownload" add-on from Firefox. Now I don't know if the fault was with that add-on, but disabling it fixed the problem for me.

All's well that ends well.

Frank D

 

Just getting ready to post about zip files and saw your post - glad your issues are resolved.

runner

 

Thanks, Runner, for keeping me thinking in the right directions and pointing me to the Firefox download managers.

Frank

 

You're welcome.

runner