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Some problems with downloading files..

  • 1 reply
  • 1 has this problem
  • 4 views
  • Last reply by FredMcD

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First of all, I want to say that I've been using Firefox for about 11 years now and it's been great, but recently some problems with downloads made me consider switching to another browser, which I would rather avoid.

The issue pretty much boils down to two problems.

1) When downloading a file, more often than not, Firefox downloads the file as 'latest' or as a really long string of digits, letters and other characters (4XU4fQXvJ1TicU2W8aco_=... for example). I have not been able to track on which sites this happens, but I'd say it's probably a 60% chance of it happening, with Firefox having 'off-days', where this happens all the time.

2) This one is a bit more recent and started about a week ago. A lot of time when I'm downloading, the browser saves a file to my default location despite me selecting otherwise. The standard window pops up, I select 'Save File To', choose a directory (the desktop for example) and save it. Despite this, the browser saves the file to my D: drive, which is selected as the default (see picture).

I really hope these issues can be fixed, as I'd hate to switch to another browser.

First of all, I want to say that I've been using Firefox for about 11 years now and it's been great, but recently some problems with downloads made me consider switching to another browser, which I would rather avoid. The issue pretty much boils down to two problems. 1) When downloading a file, more often than not, Firefox downloads the file as 'latest' or as a really long string of digits, letters and other characters (4XU4fQXvJ1TicU2W8aco_=... for example). I have not been able to track on which sites this happens, but I'd say it's probably a 60% chance of it happening, with Firefox having 'off-days', where this happens all the time. 2) This one is a bit more recent and started about a week ago. A lot of time when I'm downloading, the browser saves a file to my default location despite me selecting otherwise. The standard window pops up, I select 'Save File To', choose a directory (the desktop for example) and save it. Despite this, the browser saves the file to my D: drive, which is selected as the default (see picture). I really hope these issues can be fixed, as I'd hate to switch to another browser.

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Seikatsu said

1) When downloading a file, more often than not, Firefox downloads the file as 'latest' or as a really long string of digits, letters and other characters (4XU4fQXvJ1TicU2W8aco_=... for example)

I believe that is the file. Its that the 'download file' command did not kick in.

Let's take care of the downloads first.

This download manager works separately from the browser. The browser tells it what to download, and off it goes.

http://www.freedownloadmanager.org It is a powerful modern download accelerator and organizer for Windows and Mac.


Let’s do a full clean re-install;

Download Firefox For All languages And Systems {web link}

Save the file. Then Close Firefox.

Using your file browser, open the Programs Folder on your computer.

Windows: C:\Program Files C:\Program Files (x86)

Mac: Open the "Applications" folder. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-download-and-install-firefox-mac

Linux: Check your user manual. If you installed Firefox with the distro-based package manager, you should use the same way to uninstall it. See Install Firefox on Linux; https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/install-firefox-linux

If you downloaded and installed the binary package from the Firefox download page, simply remove the folder Firefox in your home directory. http://www.mozilla.org/firefox#desktop ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Look for, and remove any Mozilla or Firefox program folders. Do not remove the Mozilla Thunderbird folder if there is one.

Do Not remove the profiles folder.

After rebooting the computer, run a registry scanner if you have one. Then run the installer. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ If there is a problem, start your Computer in safe mode and try again.

http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Linux+Safe+Mode This shows how to Start all Computers in Safe Mode; Free Online Encyclopedia