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Question

Unable to open any files downloaded in Firefox.

Mar 23, 2016 6:32PM PDT

I can download programs, files etc with Firefox and can find those files in downloads, but can not open them.
I burned a CD out of the downloads, but have the same results when I try to install it.
Kind of ran out of things to try.
I had to do a system recovery just to get the computer working again so maybe that is part of the problem.
It is a Dell XPS435T computer with Vista on it.
Don't know if it would be worth it to put a SSD and windows 10 in it as the computer is about 7 years old.

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
Let's look at one such download.
Mar 24, 2016 7:17AM PDT

Supply a name of the site and file so others can see what's up.

Are you saying it's OK in other browsers?

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Thanks again Bob
Mar 24, 2016 8:45AM PDT

No, it's any site I try to download from. Adobe, Comcast, and Microsoft just to name a few.
It doesn't matter if I use IE or Firefox.
After talking to my son about all the problems, he has agreed he needs a new computer. Would just like to get this old one somewhat working for his daughter.
Need your opinion on either Dell or Asus computers? Those are the two he is looking at.
Both have about the same specs, with the Asus having a newer generation number.

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My son just replaced his Asus ROG with
Mar 24, 2016 8:50AM PDT

Another Asus ROG. Got 5 years from the first and the first still works fine. It's the video chipset that doesn't have the new DX11 drivers so some new games won't play.

If the factory restore doesn't fix it, I wonder if it's got some other "protection" on it. Mcafee was common back then and so were the problems. Head to a clean machine is all I can offer.

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Did the recovery again.
Mar 24, 2016 9:43AM PDT

Will try just using IE and see what happens.
After doing the recovery I checked and it has no antivirus programs installed.
Son has decided on the Asus M32CD. Has a good price on Amazon.

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All it takes is one bad download and blammo.
Mar 24, 2016 10:41AM PDT

I can't guess why it has problems after a factory restore. I'd have to be there and poke around more. But if you can, control those downloads and use only Ninite if you can.

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??
Mar 24, 2016 12:32PM PDT

I re-did the recovery again and didn't put anything on it.
I downloaded a file from Microsoft and still can't open it in IE.
Don't have a clue so am bagging it.
Thanks for all your help.
Have a great day!

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Now that is something I've seen.
Mar 24, 2016 12:40PM PDT

You are using IE so back to Ninite and get Chrome, Firefox and retry. IE from memory in stock form can't open apps. I had to hand carry over a Ninite Chrome Installer from another PC because the factory restore left it in a pre-service pack state and it would take a few days for Windows Update to get done. Since my friend was about ready to hit the road I used Ninite's own installer for another working browser.