can't execute downloads; bad CRC

[ifeelgud]

When I try to download and install a file, I get an error message. I get different error messages for different files, but all of them will not let me install the file. Although, in fact, occasionally, something will successfully let me install it.

This happens from all websites: can’t update Norton Antivirus, can’t update Ad-Aware. I’ve run several other virus programs and am not finding anything. Although once I found a virus called Trojan.ByteVerify and quarantined it.
If I am trying to open a Zip file, all files extract except for the executable. I get a “bad CRC” error; telling me that the wrong number of bytes got downloaded: Extracting DISK.EXE bad CRC d66e0d8c (should be a1242740)
Warning: the size of the extracted file (770594) does not match the uncompressed size (770560) recorded in the zip file.

I have a router and a laptop that can download. If I put my cable into a different router jack, I get the same problem on this system. I can install things from floppies and a zip drive if they are downloaded on my laptop.

If I download the file to my external drive or the zip drive on my desktop system, I still get the error. A simple ping test transmits correctly.

I’m running XP Home Edition.

Samples of messages: "The procedure entry point DoqDateTime to File Time could not be located in the dynamic link library KERNEL32.dll." "Could not initialize installation. Could not extract Wise132.dll to C:\DOCUME~1\default\LOCALS~1\Temp\GLC13.tmp; CRC does not match." “The setup files are corrupted.”

It happens with IE, Firefox, and Netscape.

I’ve been on the phone with Microsoft support. I’ve done a Windows Repair; and a “parallel” install so that I have two versions of Windows on my system. The new version does not work either.

This happened on the day that I downloaded Jave Runtime environment 1.4.2-04. Could there be a connection? I did find a site call “Java Problems” that reported the my Java was running correctly.

I have no system restore to use (this surprised me). I do have Registry Mechanic running. I don’t understand what the backups are in it; they are not well-labelled, nor is the documentation explicit. But I picked a backup from Nov. when things ran fine and restore using it. Everything seems to still work, which pleases me, but it didn’t fix the problem.

Any ideas?

I also posted this on the TCP/IP forum.

Thank you.

Susan

 

[bcastner]

DSL or cable broadband?

If DSL, your MTU settings are likely at 1500. They should be at 1492, although AOL broadband is happiest at 1400.

. see if a newer driver is available for your NIC. Use it if so.
. test your MTU:

http://www.dslreports.com/tweaks

. download and use DrTCP to set the appropriate MTU value:

http://www.dslreports.com/drtcp

 

[ifeelgud]

I have cable.

Thanks for the reply.

I'm assuming that your answer is only relevant to DSL?

 

[bcastner]

And your downstream and upstream values for the connection? You may have split the feed to many times:

Downstream Power:
You generally want between -12db and +12db. Most modems are rated from -15 to +15. Anything less or more than that and you may have quality issues. I personally prefer to not have less than -7db.

Downstream SNR:
This number is best over 30, but you may not have any problems with down to 25. Anything less and you will probably have slow transfers, dropped connections, etc.

Upstream Power:
The lower this number is, the better. If it is above 55, you may want to see if you can reconfigure your splitters. Anything above 57 is not good and should be fixed ASAP. (This is getting pretty close to not being able to connect.)

Upstream SNR:
Anything above 29 is considered good. The higher this number is, the better. If this number is below 25 and 29, you have a minute amount of noise leaking in somewhere. If it's anything less than 25, you want to get it fixed as you may have a lot of packet loss or slow transfer rates.

source: Raydr, broadbandreports.com Cable FAQ

 

[ifeelgud]

Where can I find these numbers?

 

[bcastner]

Depends on the modem. Some can be queried directly. Or, use this:

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/robin.d.h.walker/docsdiag/

 

[bcastner]

See if your modem is in this FAQ:

http://www.broadbandreports.com/faq/7363

 

[ifeelgud]

The modem successfully downloads to my laptop, which is running Windows 98. Doesn't this mean that the modem is fine?
And it worked up to Jan. 18.

(My modem is two floors down, in the basement with a Linksys router; I lease it from Comcast, so am less familiar with it than with other things that I own.)

 

[bcastner]

I’ve been on the phone with Microsoft support. I’ve done a Windows Repair; and a “parallel” install so that I have two versions of Windows on my system. The new version does not work either."

This implies to me we can rule out the Operating System as the issue. There is either a marginal cable connection (which the statistics above would reveal); the cable connection is being split improperly inside your house; and/or a marginal wired connection between the router and your laptop two floors above.

 

[ifeelgud]

bcastner,

I found the issue and you pointed me in the right direction! I'm very grateful. Here's how it went:

I called Comcast last night and again this morning. (actually this was my third and fourth calls to them - I couldn't believe it wasn't their job to look at the diagnostics on my leased modem!) The person last night told me that the testers hadn't been able to test my modem because I was using a router and I had to connect to the modem. This morning the first person who answered the phone (not a modem expert) tried to claim that there was nothing wrong with my modem and their job is only to ensure that I'm getting a signal.

Well, you had mentioned that if I had done a parallel install of Windows, then it wasn't windows.

You had got me thinking about my network hardware.

So I think, well, what do I know about what is between my modem and Windows?

Well, how about my network card?

This computer happens to have a SECOND Ethernet card in it, left over from the days before I owned a hub, so I connected my modem to the second, unused Ethernet card. And, after figuring how to give it a different IP address - Voila! I'm cured.

It was my network card!!

Thank you SO much!! This has driven me nuts for about 4 weeks - I pretty much spent the last WEEK doing nothing but trying to figure this out - so that I wouldn't have to reformat. Which, as it turns out, would have done nothing at all to solve the problem!!!

Blessings on you and your generations hence!

Susan