Downloaded files disappear

  • Thread starter Thread starter jacksonmacd
  • Start date Start date
J

jacksonmacd

Files downloaded from the web get deleted from the computer
immediately upon completion. This behaviour started only about 6 weeks
ago -- before that, downloaded files were saved as expected. This
behaviour is present with three browsers: IE7, FireFox 3, and Maxthon
2. The OS is Vista Home Premium, SP1, with all updates applied.

I've tried disabling the anti-virus and anti-spyware (AVG 8.0 free
edition) and running the computer in Safe Mode with Networking. The
behaviour persists.

Monitoring the network traffic through the network adapter indicates
that the file *really* is being downloaded. Opening an Explorer window
on the target download file reveals that the file appears momentarily
after Windows copies it from the temporary location, then is deleted
by some unknown process.

Recently tried using Vista Search for the file immediately after
downloading. The file "appeared" to be found because it was presented
in the Search Results list, and hovering the mouse over the shortcut
revealed the proper file location. But the shortcut in the Search
Results List failed to open the file, and the folder was empty.

The downloaded/deleted files are not in the Recycle Bin.

Any idea what is causing this behaviour and how to correct it?
 
Files downloaded from the web get deleted from the computer
immediately upon completion. This behaviour started only about 6 weeks
ago -- before that, downloaded files were saved as expected. This
behaviour is present with three browsers: IE7, FireFox 3, and Maxthon
2. The OS is Vista Home Premium, SP1, with all updates applied.

I've tried disabling the anti-virus and anti-spyware (AVG 8.0 free
edition) and running the computer in Safe Mode with Networking. The
behaviour persists.

Monitoring the network traffic through the network adapter indicates
that the file *really* is being downloaded. Opening an Explorer window
on the target download file reveals that the file appears momentarily
after Windows copies it from the temporary location, then is deleted
by some unknown process.

Recently tried using Vista Search for the file immediately after
downloading. The file "appeared" to be found because it was presented
in the Search Results list, and hovering the mouse over the shortcut
revealed the proper file location. But the shortcut in the Search
Results List failed to open the file, and the folder was empty.

The downloaded/deleted files are not in the Recycle Bin.

Any idea what is causing this behaviour and how to correct it?
Click to expand...

None.

It happened to me some time ago and I forget how I fixed it. I seem
to resetting IE to "default" settings.

Tools - Internet Options - Advanced - Reset (at the bottom)

The system cautions you about doing that, but as a last resort, what
da hey.

Here's a link to a TON of discussion on the sujbect:

http://tinyurl.com/3wlvtl

 
Files downloaded from the web get deleted from the computer
Click to expand...
[snip]
The downloaded/deleted files are not in the Recycle Bin.

Any idea what is causing this behaviour and how to correct it?
Click to expand...

None.

It happened to me some time ago and I forget how I fixed it. I seem
to resetting IE to "default" settings.

Tools - Internet Options - Advanced - Reset (at the bottom)

The system cautions you about doing that, but as a last resort, what
da hey.

Here's a link to a TON of discussion on the sujbect:

http://tinyurl.com/3wlvtl
Click to expand...

Paul - thanks very much for the info. The "Reset" got me partway there
- the download manager in Maxthon now works properly, so I can get
files using one browser. Working my way thru the list of advice --
seems to be a common thread about AVG Antivirus and Windows Defender.
Not sure where it will lead, but at least I now know that I'm not
alone or imagining it!
 
Files downloaded from the web get deleted from the computer
Click to expand...
[snip]
The downloaded/deleted files are not in the Recycle Bin.

Any idea what is causing this behaviour and how to correct it?
Click to expand...

None.

It happened to me some time ago and I forget how I fixed it. I seem
to resetting IE to "default" settings.

Tools - Internet Options - Advanced - Reset (at the bottom)

The system cautions you about doing that, but as a last resort, what
da hey.

Here's a link to a TON of discussion on the sujbect:

http://tinyurl.com/3wlvtl
Click to expand...

Paul - thanks very much for the info. The "Reset" got me partway there
- the download manager in Maxthon now works properly, so I can get
files using one browser. Working my way thru the list of advice --
seems to be a common thread about AVG Antivirus and Windows Defender.
Not sure where it will lead, but at least I now know that I'm not
alone or imagining it!
Click to expand...

I forgot to mention: you said your problem was also with Firefox -
right?

I never had a problem with Firefox, and the "fix" for most people that
I've seen is to SWITCH to Firefox.

Just so you know. I think I'd look at your A/V, malware and firewall
programs.
 
Judging by the discussion on one of the links you provided, it seems
like AVG could be the culprit. So I completely uninstalled AVG,
disabled Windows Defender, and turned off Windows Firewall (behind a
NAT router). Rebooted. No change - still deletes the downloaded files.
Re-installed AVG and activated Windows Firewall. Rebooted. No change.

If it's an AV-thing, it sure is hard to remove.

Thanks for your help.
 
Read below in a thread topic I started on Norton for Vista vanishing and
other related problems. A very similar thing happened to me. I have a
solution there, though. Maybe it will help.
 
Instal other browser. That's solution.


jacksonmacd said:
Judging by the discussion on one of the links you provided, it seems
like AVG could be the culprit. So I completely uninstalled AVG,
disabled Windows Defender, and turned off Windows Firewall (behind a
NAT router). Rebooted. No change - still deletes the downloaded files.
Re-installed AVG and activated Windows Firewall. Rebooted. No change.

If it's an AV-thing, it sure is hard to remove.

Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
 
That's drastic. It had to be something. It COULD have been a virus that did
that. It sounds like viruses I've had in the past. Too bad we couldn't go
into posters systems to check them out when they complain, like remote tech
support. I bet someone would spot something. Good luck with the new browser.

Wait, did you get scanned for viruses? Perhaps a remote scan from Nortons
site or McAfees? TRY THAT!! 8O




Jacek Godorowski said:
Instal other browser. That's solution.
Click to expand...
 
Which browser do you suggest? I am already using three with the same
results in all three. IE7, Firefox 3, Maxthon 2.
 
Ken - I would like to try your solution, but you haven't provided
sufficient info for me to find it. I am using an offline Usenet news
reader -- not browsing thru a website.

I found only one topic started by "Ken", and it did not seem to be
related:
HELP!!!! Safari for Vista just got SLOW after recent Vista
update!!!!!!!!
 
Good idea. Currently scanning with Norton. It's peculiar how the
Norton website can download and install an ActiveX component, yet I am
unable to download and save a conventional file.
 
Norton remote scan showed zero viruses. I could not locate a remote
scan on McAfee site.
 
Hi I have the same problem and try everything in the forums without luck.

1. I have vista home premiun
2. already disable UAC
3. my account have admin rights
4. already reset to defaulta internet options
5. have the same issue download for IE and firefox
6. disable symantec the problem continue
7. uninstall symantec endpoint the problem continue
8. connect external hard drive from western digital same problem.
9. I dont have AVG so I think avg its not the problem.
10. I check windows update and fount this:
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (KB936330)

Installation date: ‎11/‎18/‎2008 9:24 PM

Installation status: Failed

Error details: Code 800F0900

Update type: Important

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) is an update to Windows Vista that
addresses key feedback from our customers. Windows Vista SP1 addresses
specific reliability and performance issues, supports new types of hardware
and adds support for several emerging standards. After you install this item,
you will have to restart your computer.

More information:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsvista/bb738089

Help and Support:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936330
11. I download the stand alone SP1 for vista 32 bit on my other PC and try
to install without luck again.

I have 1pc and 1 laptop in the laptop I dont have any problems.


Any Idea

thanks

windtech
 
Here's the answer I've finally found to fix the "disappearing downloaded files" problem. It's from Mozilla's support site, but I believe it applies to other browsers as well, and other versions of Windows (mine was XP, and these instructions may be specific to XP, but the cause is cross-version). (Especially see the section below "Windows Internet Options".)

From http://kb.mozillazine.org/Unable_to_save_or_download_files:

This can occur if you have customized your Internet Options Security settings for the Internet zone, if the option, "Launching applications and unsafe files" is set to "Disable". [37] [38] Depending on your Windows version, this can happen if the Internet zone Security level is set to "High" (e.g., on Windows XP). [39] You can resolve this issue as follows:
[edit]
Bypass Windows Security Policy check

Starting in Firefox 3.0.6 and in Firefox 3.5.x you can bypass the Security Zone Policy check. by using about:config to add a new Boolean preference, browser.download.manager.skipWinSecurityPolicyChecks and set it to true. [40].

This preference was removed in Firefox 3.6. [41] [42] An alternate solution is to reset your Windows Internet security settings, as explained below.

Starting in Firefox 3.7 and in current Minefield nightly builds, you can bypass the Windows security policy check by setting the preference browser.download.manager.scanWhenDone to false in about:config. [43]
[edit]
Reset system Internet security settings - Windows

If your Windows Internet Options, Security zone setting for "Launching applications and unsafe files" is set to "Disable", Firefox 3 will block downloads of executable files or, in Firefox 3.5 and above, it will cancel the download and show Canceled - <domain name> in the Firefox Downloads window (see above). [44] To resolve this problem, use one of the following methods.

Method 1: Reset your Security settings for the Internet zone to the default level. Go to "Control Panel -> Internet Options" (or use "Start -> Run -> inetcpl.cpl -> OK" to open "Internet Properties") then click the Security tab, select the Internet zone and click "Default level" (see this article for a screenshot). [45] [46]

Method 2: Set a custom level for security in the Internet zone. Go to "Control Panel -> Internet Options -> Security (tab) -> Internet" (as explained above). If security is set to "High", or if you have customized the Internet zone settings, select "Custom level..." and change the single option, "Launching Applications and Unsafe Files" from 'Disable' to 'Prompt (recommended)'.

In some cases, you may need to update, reinstall, or reset Internet Explorer to restore or customize the default Internet security settings. [47] [48] [49]. To reset all Internet Explorer settings, see Microsoft's articles here and here. For more help, visit a Windows forum such as Microsoft Answers, AumHa Forums or WindowsBBS.com.

Note: If executable file downloads fail from certain sites but you are able to download exe files from other sites, check in "Internet Options -> Security - > Restricted sites -> Sites" to make sure that the problem site is not in the "Restricted sites" list, as the security level for that zone is High by default. Some Security software, including Spybot S&D, add known malware sites to that listing. [50]


Files downloaded from the web get deleted from the computer
immediately upon completion. This behaviour started only about 6 weeks
ago -- before that, downloaded files were saved as expected. This
behaviour is present with three browsers: IE7, FireFox 3, and Maxthon
2. The OS is Vista Home Premium, SP1, with all updates applied.

I've tried disabling the anti-virus and anti-spyware (AVG 8.0 free
edition) and running the computer in Safe Mode with Networking. The
behaviour persists.

Monitoring the network traffic through the network adapter indicates
that the file *really* is being downloaded. Opening an Explorer window
on the target download file reveals that the file appears momentarily
after Windows copies it from the temporary location, then is deleted
by some unknown process.

Recently tried using Vista Search for the file immediately after
downloading. The file "appeared" to be found because it was presented
in the Search Results list, and hovering the mouse over the shortcut
revealed the proper file location. But the shortcut in the Search
Results List failed to open the file, and the folder was empty.

The downloaded/deleted files are not in the Recycle Bin.

Any idea what is causing this behaviour and how to correct it?


--
(e-mail address removed)
remove uppercase letters for true email
http://www.geocities.com/jacksonmacd/ for info on MS Access security
07:43 GMT, jacksonmacd


None.

It happened to me some time ago and I forget how I fixed it. I seem
to resetting IE to "default" settings.

Tools - Internet Options - Advanced - Reset (at the bottom)

The system cautions you about doing that, but as a last resort, what
da hey.

Here's a link to a TON of discussion on the sujbect:

http://tinyurl.com/3wlvtl
Click to expand...
51:13 -0500, Paul Montgomery


[snip]


Paul - thanks very much for the info. The "Reset" got me partway there
- the download manager in Maxthon now works properly, so I can get
files using one browser. Working my way thru the list of advice --
seems to be a common thread about AVG Antivirus and Windows Defender.
Not sure where it will lead, but at least I now know that I'm not
alone or imagining it!
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
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