Author Topic: IDEA: Fix ReDownload of Incomplete Downloads (Read 44,163 times)

skywalka · « **on:** September 08, 2005, 03:34 AM »

If a connection 2 a server that U R downloading a file from is interrupted Windows saves the file 2 disk even if it is not complete. If U try & redownload the file Windows sees the file in the cache & assumes that it has already been downloaded so just keeps dishing up the cached version of the file which, of course, is incomplete.

I know there R download managers that resume broken downloads but download managers don't work 4 every file on the web.

Searching 4 a file in the cache & manually deleting it is a very tedious task. Would there B a way 2 rightclick the link & delete or overwrite the file?

Thanx 4 looking.

Veign · « **Reply #1 on:** September 08, 2005, 04:25 AM »

Doesn't FireFox's download manager do this by default.

skywalka · « **Reply #2 on:** September 08, 2005, 04:56 AM »

I don't know. I use Maxthon.

Veign · « **Reply #3 on:** September 08, 2005, 05:16 AM »

The way a file is downloaded would depend on the browser or application you are using to intiate the download. This really would have nothing to do with Windows - Windows is only providing the disk space for the cache (and possibly the API's to connect to a server)

For instance if you use FTP to download the FTP specification provides a means for downloading a file by specifying the start and end bytes. This allows FTP applications to resume a transfer.

Like the FTP specification the HTTP specification also provides these means. I can send a request to a server and specify the target URL (a file in this case) and the start and end bytes.

An application would have to implement these "features" like FireFox does. So, basically it comes down to your browser or application.

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #4 on:** September 08, 2005, 11:13 AM »

One simple approach if you have this problem is to clear your cache ?

Veign · « **Reply #5 on:** September 08, 2005, 02:41 PM »

I had thought he wanted a tool to resume a download of a file in the cache. Maybe all he needs is something that clears his cache. Maybe Maxthon has a setting to set the size of the cache or to always check the server for a new file (basically not use the cache).

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #6 on:** September 08, 2005, 02:51 PM »

Given that Maxthon is based on Internet Explorer -the website say "which means that what works in the IE browser will work the same in Maxthon tabbed browser but with many additional efficient features". See http://www.maxthon.com/

You may find that any download manager (such as GetRight) which integrates into Internet Explorer should work seamlessly with Maxon too.

Even if it doesn't GetRight can monitor the clipboard for URLs and offer to download files with extensions you monitor for. In this case all you would have to do is point to the download, right click and copy the URL to the clipboard for GetRight to take over the download.

See www.getright.com for info about Getright and http://www.headlightinc.com/cgi-bin/faq.cgi?filter=maxthon&submit1=Search#195 for Maxthon support (picked up from the site search engine).

Veign · « **Reply #7 on:** September 08, 2005, 02:53 PM »

I wonder how many people still use Download managers. Seems as broadband becomes more popular there is far less need for a download manager.

I downloaded a 650Meg file without an thought and no need for any managers.

Just curious does anyone watching use a download manager? If so, what advantages do you get that you like?

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #8 on:** September 08, 2005, 02:59 PM »

Main advantages are queuing up and scheduling downloads.

Also even with broadband a CD size download can take some time, if you can resume download following a connection glitch it is really useful.

One of the useful things I find in GetRight is its browser, I have found lots of files that way

I know there are better tools for this sort of thing but it is a quick method already in my system tray.

For small downloads they aren't really necessary any more, as you say.

mouser · « **Reply #9 on:** September 08, 2005, 03:06 PM »

right and downloaders let you do things like say "download all the mp3s on this page", one after the other.
and even when you have a fast connection, the server might not.

kfitting · « **Reply #10 on:** September 08, 2005, 03:11 PM »

I'm pretty sure resuming a download was an option decided by the server.... not the client downloading. Therefore, certain files may not resume because the person setting up the server has not allowed resume and no amount of code on the client's machine will correct that.

Kevin

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #11 on:** September 08, 2005, 03:27 PM »

Out of curiosity, having never heard of it before, I downloaded Maxthon and quite like it (even though I had stopped using Internet Explorer).

Not everything in IE works in Maxthon, but GetRight certainly does, and RoboForm works fine.

It is even donation ware which should bring some smiles here

See http://www.maxthon.com/

Review here http://www.winplanet.com/article/2567-.htm

Veign · « **Reply #12 on:** September 08, 2005, 04:27 PM »

Quote from: kfitting on September 08, 2005, 03:11 PM

I'm pretty sure resuming a download was an option decided by the server.... not the client downloading. Therefore, certain files may not resume because the person setting up the server has not allowed resume and no amount of code on the client's machine will correct that.

Kevin

It may be something that can be prevented but the HTTP spec is what allows the partial retrieval of data.

Veign · « **Reply #13 on:** September 08, 2005, 04:30 PM »

Quote from: mouser on September 08, 2005, 03:06 PM

right and downloaders let you do things like say "download all the mp3s on this page", one after the other.
and even when you have a fast connection, the server might not.

Interesting. Not something I would need but something I see some users needing.

I haven't tried GetRight in many years but I have to assume they have been changing with the times. Meaning: Implementing more features geared towards broadband while still keeping the features and functionailty of their base application.

skywalka · « **Reply #14 on:** September 08, 2005, 11:10 PM »

Hi guys.

I use GetRight already. Not all files on the web R allowed 2 B downloaded with a download manager. So U have 2 use the regular download method.

I suppose clearing the cache is the easiest short term fix.

Thanx.

Veign · « **Reply #15 on:** September 08, 2005, 11:35 PM »

Can you supply me with a URL to a small file that can not be downloaded through a download manager? I would like to run some tests by connecting via an HTTP request through a very raw solution - using Winsock.

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #16 on:** September 09, 2005, 12:04 AM »

Any file that you can see on the internet can be downloaded with a download manager?

The only ones you can't easily download are hidden behind scripts, and then you need a browser to execute the scripts.

What are you trying to do ?

Veign · « **Reply #17 on:** September 09, 2005, 12:23 AM »

The other way they could be hiding the file is streaming the file to the browser behind the scenes.

I had done this by analyzing a 404 error when the client conencted to the file (which did not exist). I would then stream the right file to the clients machines based on some criteria.

It was still pretty easy for someone to determine the proper filename to connect directly too as I did not hide the file outside the root web folder.

Veign · « **Reply #18 on:** September 09, 2005, 12:23 AM »

Quote from: CarolHaynes on September 09, 2005, 12:04 AM

What are you trying to do ?

Not sure who that question is addressed to...

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #19 on:** September 09, 2005, 12:42 AM »

It was addressed to you

I'm not quite sure what you are trying to acheive.

If you want a streaming file to try (whatever you trying to on) you could you could use URL Snooper 2 in the downloads section to find the URL.

There is loads of stuff availble for streaming download at BBC Radio, try here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/

Here is one you could try: rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/scotland/radioscotland/demand/dailyfeature/rs_feature2_tue.rm

it is a 30 minute radio programme "Muriel Gray's Trip off the Tongue" from a recent Radio Scotland broadcast. (She can be a wicked wee lassie too)

skywalka · « **Reply #20 on:** September 09, 2005, 12:44 AM »

I've lost the file that I couldn't use a download manager for. Next time I come across 1 I will post the address in this thread.

Veign · « **Reply #21 on:** September 09, 2005, 01:39 AM »

Quote from: CarolHaynes on September 09, 2005, 12:42 AM

It was addressed to you

I'm not quite sure what you are trying to acheive.

If you want a streaming file to try (whatever you trying to on) you could you could use URL Snooper 2 in the downloads section to find the URL.

There is loads of stuff availble for streaming download at BBC Radio, try here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/

Here is one you could try: rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/scotland/radioscotland/demand/dailyfeature/rs_feature2_tue.rm

it is a 30 minute radio programme "Muriel Gray's Trip off the Tongue" from a recent Radio Scotland broadcast. (She can be a wicked wee lassie too)

I think you have mis-understood my posts. My posts were in response to the OP who was looking for resuming a cached file.

I have no need for a download manager or streaming.

I only mentioned streaming as a way a file on the internet may not be the actual file you are receiving since the OP mentioned about download managers not being able to grab all files from the internet.

I then mentioned about finding me a file that could not be downloaded via a download manager because I would try some things to figure out why it would file with a download manager..

See?

skywalka · « **Reply #22 on:** October 05, 2006, 11:11 AM »

Well guys, I know it's been over a year but for those who wanted to know...

I've found a file that I can't download.

http://romhustler.net/download/mame/4191

The file is over 60 megs & I've tried to download it 5 times but the connection has been reset each time.

Veign, there are smaller files on the site.

I tried using GetRight but I got an incorrect referrer error message generated in an HTML file. I remember in older versions of GetRight you could change the referrer but this does not appear to be the case for the current version.

kimmchii · « **Reply #23 on:** October 05, 2006, 11:22 AM »

thats just a normal zip file, should be no problem with flashget.
http://www.flashget.com/en/download.htm

skywalka · « **Reply #24 on:** October 06, 2006, 01:23 AM »

Thanx kimmchii.

You're right, FlashGet seems to be downloading this just fine. I'm really surprised that GetRight can't download this & Flashget can.