Last 2 downloads have had same issue.
Today downloaded Drive Booster Pro v 1.5
I extract .. then run as administrator .
I get successfully activated popup ... with serial key
Then I get an error window "Setup files are corrupted please obtain new copy of program'
Downloaded 3 times - same error each time.
Had same thing on a download last week ... mnfctr sent me a different link and all worked fine.
Whiterabbit-uk
Games Guru
I don't know whether the followig will help - check out the FAQ's post over in the game discussion forums sticky section. There are several fixes avaialble for problems with activation and unpacking zip files etc. For example try using compatibility mode ad changing some of the parameters.
There could be a conflict with other programs you are running. Try turning off back ground programs that are unecessary for running the computer (for example other giveaways that run in the background) you can see these by opening up task anager or looking in the tray next to the clock in your task bar.
I'd turn the background programs off one at a time to see if you can find which (if any) program/s are conflicting with driver booster
mikiem2
Moderator
Think in terms of a linear script, where A happens, then B, then C, & so on...
When you run a GOTD setup.exe file it contacts the GOTD server(s) to verify the offer's still good, if yes unpacks the offered program's installation file(s) into memory, runs that installation file, when that installation program terminates it displays the GOTD message about activation, then on exit opens a GOTD web page in your browser.
When the GOTD is a game everything's the same, but the installation file is often a WinRAR self extracting file -- RAR files are comparable to zip files -- WinRAR is comparable to WinZip -- self extracting files are the compressed archive itself bundled with a mini-copy of the program you need to unpack the archive, so when you run a self extracting file it unpacks the archive without you having to do anything else, like in this case you don't have to download and install WinRAR software.
When the GOTD includes activate.exe the program contacts the server(s) as above, then does something, often just adding new entries into Windows registry rather than running a separate program like happens for installation.
- - -
Now, zip files store data on how big the zip file is, so if you try to unpack an incomplete zip file chances are it will not even try to work. My experience has always been that if you can unpack a zip file it's complete. Once you unzip a GOTD download if anything's missing it's because something nabbed one of the included files before or as it was written to disk. [It's theoretically possible the GOTD team could error & leave something out, but it's never happened.]
OK, so everything's there & you run setup.exe, and assuming the offer's still good the installation file(s) for the program offered is unpacked into memory. Next the GOTD software will execute the command to run that installation program from where it's stored in memory. If that installation program has been removed from memory there's nothing to run. If that installation program unpacks its files & those are then removed, the installation program cannot proceed. If WinRAR starts but the archive has been removed, there's nothing for it to unpack.
The error messages that are baked into software are limited by how much time & effort the software's coder(s) wanted to expend, & basically say whatever the coder(s) thought might be useful to either themselves or the user. Oftentimes there is no message that says "My files disappeared" -- I don't think that's something many or most coders would think of. Running software might not even know they're missing -- it issues commands to do something with whatever files, but doesn't necessarily check 1st to see if they're even there. It would be easy to think: "Why bother? Where could they go?".
The answer can be Anti-Virus software. There's [hopefully] nothing else that goes around your system eating files. Some people make the assumption that software erred, perhaps never put needed files where they were needed in the 1st place. Software can, & often does have errors, but they are not usually iffy things, at all. The specific circumstances or situations where errors occur can be unusual or even rare, but once those conditions are met, an error will occur every single time.
SO when & if you suspect a software error, the very 1st thing to do is see if it happens to everyone else. OR you can try the same thing on different laptops/PCs running different hard &/or software. In the case of a GOTD where many thousands of people might download & successfully install an offered app or game, if one or a few people cannot, odds are extremely high something's different on their systems, & the software itself is not at fault. If a GOTD won't install &/or activate successfully for you, & there are no widespread problem reports, The question then becomes what's different on your system. Again the answer can be the Anti-Virus or other security software you installed.
In the forum you'll find threads with hints & suggestions, e.g. running in Safe Mode with networking. Whether you are inclined to blame security software or GOTD, if/when security software prevents a GOTD from installing/activating correctly, is totally up to you. Myself, I think it's a bit like blaming Mother Nature when I go outside in the rain & get wet. :)
I am not sure I follow all of your logic.
As well as reducing file size, one of the main reasons for sending a file in a zip archive is that it is containerized, with chksums.
The fact that I receive the complete zip OK, and zip will then unzip it to create all items ... with no error report, proves that it passed the chksums.
So having got that far what fails is the executable.
As mentioned ... when it has failed manufacturer has provided link to a download, and on those occasions 'their' zip file downloads, extract and contents execute without an issue. (and without any changes needed on PC)
ChrisS
Administrator
Odds are it's your security software.
The GOTD download is contained in a "wrapper" that does the things Mikiem talks about but if your security software objects to some aspect of the wrapper and quarantines some files then the download is reported as corrupt. You don't have that problem with the download from the vendor because it doesn't come with the "wrapper".
first, I'd ponder:
from pcworld - Microsoft pulls its August Windows update after users report crashes
from zdnet - Microsoft reissues flawed Windows security update with new flaws
If you installed the update then I'd uninstall it. If that doesn't solve the problem then then I'd look at any updates to my security software other than the definitions.
Then I'd try disabling the security software.
Finally, If no still joy, then I'd boot in safe mode with networking and try the installation.
THnaks for the 2 links - I have just uninstalled KB2982791[i]
Normally if my security s/w quarantines anything or detects anything amiss (often with download files) it brings up a pop up ...it is not reporting anything.
I'll have look at first link .. but seems a lot of changes to have to make ... and I can't get PC to boot in safe mode ... F8 brings up 'select boot disk' but then starts in normal mode. Have to spend more time to find out why.
ChrisS
Administrator
To boot in safe mode in a running PC:
open a run box (windows key + r)
enter msconfig in the run box and click "ok"
click the "boot" tab
select "safe boot" (when it boots pick "safe boot with networking)
Use the same method to return to normal booting process.
The wrapper prevents error messages from escaping the installation process to make it more difficult to circumvent the installation restrictions. You may or may not get messages from your anti-virus software.
mikiem2
Moderator
I am not sure I follow all of your logic.
Sorry... Not logic, or illogic really -- just how it works. :)
Chris has posted about trying Safe Mode w/networking in quite a few threads. A few times it's not been as well received as one might hope, & he's repeated it often enough that I marvel at his patience & perseverance. Right or wrong I thought maybe breaking it down into the individual steps might be helpful, so anyone having problems might get a better feel for what was going on. Ultimately I wanted to take a very slight bit of the load off Chris.
Safe Mode can often work... Mal-ware can try to avoid &/or disable security software, so to fight back lots of security software adds a Windows service, which often cannot be stopped or turned off in Windows proper. Security software services don't normally run in Safe Mode, so it's one way to turn security software off.
[Note: I run Bitdefender. A couple few times I couldn't transfer a GOTD from a VM to Windows, BD would block it [it varies with update versions], & while the GOTD would install in Safe Mode, it wouldn't do so properly, because Bitdefender's service wasn't the only thing that's turned off in Safe Mode. In those cases I had to set Bitdefender's service to manual or disabled, boot into Windows normally, install the GOTD, then boot back into Safe Mode to put things back, i.e. turn the service back to automatic.]
There's also the possibility that something else besides security software is interfering, & Safe Mode works because whatever *that* is, it isn't running in Safe Mode either. In the threads I've read, Kaspersky software is often an apparent common denominator, but I've never read of anyone else turning off their security software's service & trying to install the GOTD in regular Windows, which would tend to confirm or deny.
"Normally if my security s/w quarantines anything or detects anything amiss (often with download files) it brings up a pop up ...it is not reporting anything."
That doesn't matter really. With enough detective work you can usually find out just what's being taken away [e.g. maybe a step of the installation completes, but the results are withheld from the running installation app], but usually it's much more efficient to try & find out what works. Unless you're debugging something in order to fix it, why something works is much less important than the fact that it does.
"I'll have look at first link .. but seems a lot of changes to have to make"
If you check your update history you can click the link for more info on that particular update & get to the Microsoft page that just recommended uninstalling it. A quick skim of the article Chris linked leads me to believe they tried to show how to get things working whilst keeping the update installed, but regardless, that was before the updated fix was available. You can also get to the Microsoft info page following the link I posted here http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/224156
"and I can't get PC to boot in safe mode ... F8 brings up 'select boot disk' but then starts in normal mode. Have to spend more time to find out why"
Don't know if Chris pointing out msconfig did it for you or not? If you're still interested in pursuing a fix, please let us know, along with info on what version of Windows you're running.
Guess I'll have to wait for next GAOTD that I want to find out if it works.
Best luck :)
Thanks for your time.
For obvious reasons I do not feel happy about disabling security software when you have just received an unproven piece of software ... its almost exactly going against why you have such software.
I have removed the 'recalled' update ... and checked that I am not affected by the other.
When I next see something I like I'll try again .......... but if it does not work I need to find out 'if' safemode will fully disable antivirus, if so then I would consider the risk too high.
I have had other so-called 100% certified safe software ... try to install a Trojan during install ... and if my security package had not been enabled it would have succeeded.
I'll let you know how it goes.
ChrisS
Administrator
I need to find out 'if' safe mode will fully disable antivirus, if so then I would consider the risk too high.
Here's the problem... you were able to install a few days/weeks ago (timeline isn't clear to me) so one of the following is the cause:
- The download you're attempting to install isn't compatible with your system. Not likely as you've tried others to the same effect.
- The wrapper changed and it's a brave new world. Nope, the wrapper didn't change and it's the same old world.
- Which leaves something changing on your system as the culprit.
Exactly what changed is the problem but you might try:
- Check your anti-virus log files. The wrapper prevents screen notifications but sometimes you'll still get log notifications. Whether you see something or not consider installing a prior version of the anti-virus from Oldversion. If the A/V auto-updated then you may need to roll it back.
- Check your add/remove program list (and windows updates). Find entries after the last GOTD install and consider removing them. Also consider removing the last GOTD program. Then see if the latest GOTD program will install normally. Naturally you'd back-up your system first.
- Add any entries back to your registry that you deleted with a registry cleaner.
Finally, if you use Kaspersky then the only work around for impacted systems is the safe boot with networking.
OK .. I do use Kaspersky, so maybe I'm just screwed.
There is nothing showing in the logs to show it 'quarantined' anything
There is too much risk to take an unproven, untrusted piece of software ... turn off all security on my PC and then execute it.
I will update after next install attempt.
ChrisS
Administrator
Since you appear to only install a few GOTD downloads you could install first in a VM running a different security suite (MSE is fine), double-check the installation with various spyware/adware software and then install in your physical PC if everything is OK. Or, just leave it in the VM.
It would probably also be useful to submit the necessary info to Kaspersky and see if they can finally fix the problem. See the last post for instructions.
Unfortunately I don't have a VM environment ... we have a combination of 5 PC/Laptop all have Kaspersky installed.
I have installed about 30 apps over the years ... but I certainly don't install everything and probably only have 5 that I have kept.
One big issue is when you rebuild machine you can't reinstall as license won't work ...
Anyway if I see something I like I'll try install ........ it it fails and it is from a supplier I have confidence in, I'll try with Kaspersky off.
'If' it can be linked to Kaspersky I'll happily raise it, but having run Kaspersky since 2008 .... never had any issue with it, so would need to be sure of facts.
mikiem2
Moderator
Purely FWIW...
I understand why anyone might mistrust software & web sites & all sorts of similar stuff as well as most I'd guess. Pragmatically speaking more than 1/2 my mistrust has absolutely nothing to do with mal-ware of any sort, but rather concerns software code put together about as carefully as some American made cars & trucks in the 70s & 80s. The remainder of my mistrust might be summed up by repeating something one of the Guardian's journalists wrote after working with the leaked but unpublished NSA files, that he went out & bought a new PC with the intent of never updating it, nor connecting it on-line. IMHO it's not as much big brother could be watching, but how insecure our stuff is to begin with.
You no longer have to download a file to your hard drive [let alone run it] to get infected -- you basically just have to have some entries added to your registry & they'll take it from there. You used to have to worry about code added to the 1st, hidden track of a hard drive [where the tables are], since it could make mal-ware files on your hard drive invisible to Windows. Now Kaspersky, Intel etc. are working on protecting the Bios -- this battleground is where you find the very 1st code to run when you press the start switch on your PC.
In the current threat landscape, I don't want to say an infected app from GOTD would be trivial, but it's hardly near the top of the list of what to watch out for. Nor could I see it making lots of sense for a cyber-criminal to bother with GOTD apps. With all the testing GOTD does, it'd be easier & likely much more effective to go after the DNS server, piggybacking a malicious download with the still pristine GOTD -- that would work with just about any download from anywhere. Or they could go after any software company that uses on-line activation, intercepting your connection during that process. Or as is so common, place malicious ads with download buttons instead of the usual ad copy or banner -- in those cases the sites have little or no control over whatever ads the ad service places on their pages. Or they could offer the same download the day after a GOTD for people that missed it. The list of exploits is endless. The only common denominator is that criminals look for the easiest way to get the greatest returns -- burying something in an app or it's installer so that it can't be found by VirusTotal etc. would be far from the easiest approach.
At any rate, not wanting to temporarily disable Kaspersky or any other security software is understandable, but IMHO it can be a bit like making sure 5 dead bolts on the front door are locked, whilst not checking if you've left the back door in the kitchen & the doorwall in the dining room wide open. Kaspersky is good, but it's not That good -- no security software is bulletproof. Many if not most of the patterns AV software looks for came from systems running that software that got infected before they knew to look for it.
TO me there are lots of advantages to using VMs, including [but by no means limited to] checking ALL software before you think about installing it. I keep backup copies of the vhd files that hold the actual VM, so I can always go back to square one so-to-speak by simply copying the backup vhd over the one that's changed. If you wanted to give it a pretty much risk free trial, Google for the portable VirtualBox launcher & set up an old copy of XP or a win7 trial as your 1st VM. If you don't like it delete everything & your system won't have all the usual leftovers or anything.
IF you want some insight into why some security software might object to GOTD offers, Google "packed executables" [with or w/out quotes] or similar. Maybe oversimplified, GOTD hides an app's installation files so no one can save them for tomorrow -- mal-ware hides files so AV pattern recognition won't work. In 4 words, it's dual use tech.
ChrisS
Administrator
The problem with Kaspersky started with Windows 8.1 and I suspect that it affects a tiny number of people (possibly hardware, installed software, or manufacturer dependent), hence the reason Kaspersky has been unable to resolve the issue.
No VM for testing? Try Virtual Machine (VM), Windows Virtual PC. If you use it for testing only (verification that the download is virus and adware/spyware free) then you should be in compliance with license but you should read the license and decide for yourself.
mikiem2
Moderator
I'm not using W8 though? ..... I'm on W7 64bit
Kaspersky updated their software to be compatible with 8.1. Re-using code, writing something once for the greatest number of potential users across as many OSes as possible is every software developer's goal. ***Maybe*** whatever they changed has something to do with it?
ChrisS
Administrator
And who, besides Kaspersky, updated their software to provide compatibility with Windows 8.1? Darn near everybody.
Who provided new drivers that would be compatible with Windows 8.1? Darn near everybody.
And everybody who isn't using Windows 8.1 but installed the updates is counting on backwards compatibility to provide continued functionality. The best they can hope for is that they won't have problems; it's all downside risk with no possible gain.
I don't think your issue is Kaspersky by itself. If it were, there would be a significant number of complaints both here and on the Kaspersky board. Instead, it's a handful of people reporting trouble. It's Kaspersky plus something else that changed since Windows 8.1 was released.
You might make Autoruns reports from both a normal and safe boot. By comparing the two you could create a custom "safe boot with Kaspersky" and see if that will allow the GOTD download to install. If it does, then you'll have a limited number of things to look at. On my PC, Safe Boot had about 70 fewer entries than the normal 1300 entries the last time I checked. I might look at 70 entries, I wouldn't bother with 1300 unless I had a critical need.
You can do the same exercise with Process Hacker.
kenb8s
Member
I have had exactly the same problem for about three months, during which time I have all but stopped using GOTD. I have tried both, Chrome and Firefox for downloading with Kaspersky disabled. I have extracted the 3 files into a new desktop folder but still I get the corrupted files message. Sorry, but if I have to ditch Win7 in favour of 8.1 in order to get giveaways to work, then (regretfully) I have to say "GOODBYE" to GOTD. It was good whilst it lasted.
mikiem2
Moderator
" I have tried both, Chrome and Firefox for downloading with Kaspersky disabled."
FWIW I think maybe you've misunderstood. To disable something like Kaspersky or Bitdefender etc. you have to turn off its service, which runs automatically in the background. While it works with some brands of AV software, turning off real-time scanning isn't enough with these 2, & probably more security apps or suites, because as long as that service is running, so is their anti-virus protection.
You have to boot to Safe Mode, which disables that service. While in Safe mode you can also set the service to manual or disabled rather than automatic, & then boot into Windows normally, though there's usually no need -- most AFAIK just install the game or whatever in Safe Mode, then reboot into Windows proper.
Note also, that while Chrome & F/Fox are OK, you'll find in the FAQs that Internet Explorer does have to be turned on & capable of working, though whether you actually start it or use it is up to you.
I have extracted the 3 files into a new desktop folder but still I get the corrupted files message. Sorry, but if I have to ditch Win7 in favour of 8.1 in order to get giveaways to work, then (regretfully) I have to say "GOODBYE" to GOTD.
Again I think perhaps you've misunderstood... Almost all GOTDs are Windows version agnostic -- I've checked out most of them for years using a XP VM [Virtual Machine], where they normally install & work just fine. You do not need to upgrade to 8 or 8.1 just to run a GOTD.
The reason Windows 8 & 8.1 were mentioned is because win8.1, win8, win7, Vista, & XP are all different. In a great many cases when Windows 8.1 came out, the people that write software changed their software so that it works as well in Windows 8.1 as it does in Windows 7 etc. They did not write a new version for win8.1, & continue offering a separate version of their software for every older version of Windows -- they re-wrote parts of their software so it works in all of them. Changing software so it works in the latest versions plus many older versions of Windows is harder, and sometimes just doesn't work out as well.
At any rate, changes in software to make that software work better in win8.1, including stuff like Kaspersky, might be behind GOTDs not working on relatively few PCs & Laptops. You could try to diagnose it further, to maybe confirm what's not working on your system(s), or you could just try booting into Safe Mode, try installing the GOTD, then re-booting back into Windows normally. Rather than worrying about why they need to do it, I think most people who have problems installing GOTD offers just go the Safe Mode route because for them it works.
mikiem2
Moderator
"Same problem for me. I can't install anymore GOTD offerings, because they are always damaged files. I am also using Kaspersky. Very disappointing."
Yeah, I imagine it would be disappointing.
You could just try booting into Safe Mode & try installing GOTD offers. It takes a few minutes extra, but many times the GOTD is worth enough money that you're hardly working for free.
If you'd rather not, & if you live in the US, you can very often pick up major brand security software on sale for around $12 or less, often free after mail-in rebate. [I used to buy McAfee 3 PC licenses for ~$7-$8 until McAfee started refusing to work on my wife's AMD PC. I think I paid ~$14 for a 2 year, 3 PC license for Bitdefender.] All of the major brands AFAIK have free trials so you could make sure it cured your problems. Paragon has a free version of their backup software, & has versions on GOTD from time to time. Same with Aomie & EaseUS. Backup 1st, & if removing Kaspersky & using something else didn't fix things with GOTD offers, restore the backup & you're no worse off for the effort.
It's really too bad if Kaspersky *might* be unintentionally forcing people into these sort of ultimatums, where people might have to choose between running Kaspersky software & installing what they want.
The issue is if you boot without Security Software running you are doing exactly what you should not do .... exposing your computer to the internet with no protection in place.
To me that is simply too high a risk.
I have Kaspersky on all of the PC's here - and not going to change to something else.
I like GAOTD offers .... but if they now have an issue with anybody who uses Kaspersky, then maybe GAOTD will fix the issue.
ChrisS
Administrator
You're absolutely correct... the workaround of booting in safe mode isn't a particularly good idea. Unfortunately, nobody with the issue has been willing to spend the time necessary to find the proper solution.
Test a generic system:
Run the Windows 7 or 8.1 test VM that you can download from the above link.
Install Kaspersky on the VM.
Download the latest GOTD offer and see if it will install. I'm confident that it will and that will say "Kaspersky ain't the problem".
Test your historical system.
Download the latest GOTD offer to a non-system drive.
Backup your system drive
Install a backup from January or February as the issue likely started in April.
Turn off Windows and Kaspersky automatic updates. You want your system as it was "back when".
Install the GOTD offer that you downloaded. This confirms that the GOTD wrapper would have installed "back when" so it's not a wrapper issue. Uninstall the GOTD program.
Update Kaspersky to the latest definitions.
Install the GOTD offer again. If it's not the definitions uninstall the GOTD program.
Update the Kaspersky program to the latest program version.
Install the GOTD offer again. If it's not Kaspersky on your "back when" system uninstall the GOTD program.
When finished, you've confirmed that it's not Kaspersky and it's not the GOTD wrapper by themselves that are the problem. Or, you've identified where Kapersky is going wrong.
Next, start Windows Update... install the first 10-20 updates.
Reboot and install the GOTD offer. Uninstall the GOTD program if it installs.
Repeat until you find a set of updates that prevents the installation or until you've fully updated the system. If updates prevent the install the uninstall each until you find the problem.
Next, update your drivers and the various programs that you previously updated. Try the GOTD offer after each and find the problem.
Unfortunately, we can't solve your problem since we don't have the problem. All we can do is provide workarounds that you clearly find unacceptable. Somebody with the problem has to find the solution.
mikiem2
Moderator
OK, so out of idle curiosity I downloaded a Kaspersky trial - pur13.0.2.558abcdEN_5352.exe. I fired up my win7 32 V/Box VM. [Why the 32 bit vs. 64? I'd already modified that VM so I have to restore it anyway -- the win7 64 VM was still untouched. Some people's generosity knows no bounds -- I'm not one of 'em. :) ]
Uninstalled Microsoft Security Essentials Prerelease that I had installed & running in that VM, using the Control Panel Programs applet, installed the Kaspersky trial & let it update & reboot. Ran today's GOTD [Power Director 11 SE], double clicking setup.exe. The Cyberlink download app started, & once I pointed it to a download folder, it started downloading the installation app just fine. Canceled the download [that lack of generosity again] and the GOTD popup appeared -- closed that & the web page opened.
---------
Now here in the forum some folks having problems have said that they were running Kaspersky. What version, what settings, what version of Windows, what hardware & drivers etc. is AFAIK unknown. I don't know if the problems arise from every GOTD offer, or if they showed up with today's offer. I don't know if other security software was installed on some of the systems experiencing problems.
What I do know is that in an up-to-date copy of win7 32, with minimal software installed, adding the Kaspersky trial of their Pur product, and leaving it at its default settings, did not cause today's GOTD any problems.
I'll try Sunday's downloads as well -- I can't promise anything beyond that since I don't know when I'll need to restore that VM -- it might be Monday -- it might be Friday.
As it stands right now Chris is 100% correct -- obviously this version of Kaspersky software does not by itself have a problem with the GOTD wrapper. At this point either A) someone would have to duplicate a problem in order to trouble shoot it, or B) someone having the problem would have to troubleshoot their own system. Chris' strategy relies on 1) you could install GOTD downloads in the past, & 2) you have a backup you can restore that dates back to that time. If not...
Extra programs & services would need to be temporarily disabled -- that's standard procedure & at least one reason I think msconfig exists. Kaspersky [or whatever other brand security software] might need to be completely removed & re-installed, but then there's little way without comparing the install to an install on a virgin system whether it installed correctly the 1st or 2nd time. I've had that sort of thing happen with McAfee, had to compare it with a VM. Windows file versions may need to be checked -- how do you know an update completed? -- sometimes you can't without checking those numbers [Do you read the logs after an update?].
There's also the possibility that some or all of the systems having problems have been infected or compromised. Some mal-ware guards against the installation of other mal-ware to prevent infection with lower quality stuff that might get you attention & prompt you to look further. In that case it would be a more quick & dirty implementation -- not a full AV app -- so it could easily trigger on a GOTD. Something else related that can happen is some mal-ware tries to alter you security software to better escape detection. Such a modification could conceivably cause Kaspersky to trigger.
If mal-ware has anything to do with the problem, care would have to be taken that if you did restore a backup, there are no other drives or partitions where mal-ware could be hiding, on or in your PC or over your network, & that the 1st, hidden track of attached drives was clean.
----
Idle thoughts...
Starting Windows nekid is riskier if/when new software's introduced, or when the system hasn't been restarted with new software yet. Opening a web page in your browser isn't automatically unsafe -- it depends on what page you open. Being wedded to one brand of anything can often be a bit, well, less wise.
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