downloaded file disappears
When I download a file from my email account or even from Mozilla plug-ins updates, the file is set to go to a specific location under Firefox Tools/Options/General Tab. If I right-click during the download and select "Open Containing Folder", it shows that it is going to that location. However, when the download finishes and I go to the location, the file is not there. I have tried following a few of the instructions in the help file, ie, deleting the suggested files in the Profile folder, resetting the options for download history, even updating Firefox from 4.0 to 5.0. Nothing has worked. Also, somewhere along the line my AVG 8.5 Free software has disappeared. I've read in the forums that there are some incompatibilities between Firefox and AVG, but until the download works, I can't even experience them. Finally, since 5/15/2011, any .wmv files attached to my email can be opened up in Windows Media Player but come back with this error "Windows Media Player cannot play the file. The Player might not support the file type or might not support the codec that was used to compress the file." HELP!
Modified by slfick
Chosen solution
That was awesome! It worked! Not only did it save the email .wmv file I've been trying to download, I also was able to play the file in Windows Media Player, whereas I couldn't before.
What I specifically did was open a new tab, type 'about.config' in the locator bar, select the file 'browser.download.manager.scanWhenDone', right-click on it and select Toggle, which turned it from 'true' to 'false', essentially disabling my (non-working AVG) anti-virus software from scanning the file after the download. Then I closed the window, went to my email and downloaded the .wmv attachment, and lo and behold it was saved where I told it to go. I double-clicked and it started playing in WMP.
YAAAAY! Thank you so much!
Read this answer in context 👍 3All Replies (10)
It is possible that your anti-virus software is corrupting the downloaded files or otherwise interfering with downloading files by Firefox.
Try to disable the real-time (live) scanning of files in your anti-virus software temporarily to see if that makes downloading work.
See "Disable virus scanning in Firefox preferences - Windows"
Chosen Solution
That was awesome! It worked! Not only did it save the email .wmv file I've been trying to download, I also was able to play the file in Windows Media Player, whereas I couldn't before.
What I specifically did was open a new tab, type 'about.config' in the locator bar, select the file 'browser.download.manager.scanWhenDone', right-click on it and select Toggle, which turned it from 'true' to 'false', essentially disabling my (non-working AVG) anti-virus software from scanning the file after the download. Then I closed the window, went to my email and downloaded the .wmv attachment, and lo and behold it was saved where I told it to go. I double-clicked and it started playing in WMP.
YAAAAY! Thank you so much!
You're welcome
Well, unfortunately this solution does not fully work for me.
I also have the same combination (Firefox + AVG), although recent versions of both. Any objects that I try to download using the regular Firefox DLM disappear in a few seconds afterwards. I even tried to switch off the AVG at all for a while -- it did not help either.
When I applied the suggested solution, the files are now being stored in the folders of destination -- so, it works, THANK YOU! But for some reason they still disappear from the Download Statusbar when I use to trace them -- for this reason I have initially complained that it does not work at all. Besides, I am not happy with the fact that from now on my downloads are not being checked for viruses.
Contamination with a virus is always possible, however neither DrWeb Live CD, nor MalwareBytes (run in a safe mode) recognized a threat. Also, the AnVir's log does not show me a trace of any process activating immediately after downloading. It only warns me that my Firefox behaves as a RBOT-ATP WORM (Note - this is not the popular FireFox web browser and is located in the System (9x/Me) or System32 (NT/2K/XP) folder. -- the AnVir's message) Indeed, it consumes enormous amount of memory.
However, everything works as usual if only I download via DownThemAll add-in.
Modified by vladD
- Tools > Options > Privacy > Firefox will: "Use custom settings for history" > "Remember download history"
it is already set in this position, and the DLM indeed keeps the history (even the files that has been deleted as described above). But the files still disappear from the Download Statusbar
why the hell this topic is maked as the problem solved??? I would like to see a solution, if so!
The problem persists!
the solution proposed by cor-el is flawed, since it makes me vulnerable to the web viruses. Maybe, if the problem is caused by some infection, it is just the purpose of the attackers.
Your anti-virus software should still scan the file if you try to open it or run it if it is a program.
If your anti-virus software isn't allowing Firefox to save a download properly the you need to contact their support if you are not able to find the correct settings in that software yourself.
I have do contacted the antivir's support -- they told me, the problem is in Firefox. It is indeed rather in Firefox than in antivirus. I have changed, partly for this reason, AVG to Dr.Web, but the problem persists.
I am not happy at all that my files are not being checked at the stage of downloading. I have no control over the content of some things, like the web pages, and from time to time they do contain threats. When I will open them, it may be too late, or the antivirus soft may miss the threat for some reasons. Double-checking is more reliable.