I seek a *special* file management software

[bellgamin]

Sometimes, after I download a lengthy file [made even slower by the fact that I use dial-up] it turns out to be "corrupted."

I always install software by using the "Total Uninstall" program, which takes a couple of minutes because of the very thorough way that it monitors installs.

Thus, I might invest several minutes messing with a file, only to finally discover that it is corrupted.

Surprisingly, neither Windows Explorer nor Power Desk have a function to verify that a file is readable [ergo, NOT corrupted.] I can verify that a zip is okay, but not that a regular file is okay.

Ergo, I seek a program that will verify the readability [uncorruptedness] of a file.

If you know of one, I would greatly appreciate being told.

aloha.......bellgamin

[Gade Terbob]

Bell, first you might want to look into why the file is "corrupted". I used dial up for the last two years and don't recall ever recieving "corrupted" files. Interrupted downloads, yes, many. If your modem drivers are current and correctly installed, you might be able to turn on either or both hardware and software error checking to catch the errant block of data. That'll slow D/L even more.

Unless the author or D/L site publishes a "checksum" I don't think its possible to verify the d/l. There are some backup software out there that will verify writes by re-reading the last data sent, but they're slow, even on streaming tape.

Some years ago, Novell used a server software that upon installation, created a checksum for every application. Then, during operation, would monitor those apps for unauthorised changes. Don't think that's what your looking for either.

Edited to add:
Might this be of some value to you? I've no experience with the software. I found it with this search: Google Search (http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=corrupted+download+%2Dmail+%2Daccess+%2Dexcel+%2 Doutlook)

http://www.e-press.com/demo_downloads.html

{humor test follows}
Don't think I've been much help, but thanks for the opportunity to geez. By the way, were you aware that "geez" is a verb, too?? I mean really?!? What does a geezer do, if he doesn't geez?

Vaya con Dios

[rlane]

I just want Bell to know he is not the only person to get corrupted downloads, it may be only 1 out of 30 but it happens to me too, and it is frustrating when it does. I just say oh well most of the time and drop it, it must be a sign it was a no good program anyway. That reminds me, I have had problems with a microsoft install disk too, one of the dll files was problematic.

[bellgamin]

You are sooo right, Gade.

The software I am looking for does not exist -- so I have been told from several sources.

My download manager breaks a download into several threads & then reassembles them into 1 file. For speed, doncha know.

I discovered that if all threads are from the main download site, no corruption occurs. But some download sites don't allow multiple threads. In those instances, my download manager seeks mirror sites. It is in the reassembly of those types of downloads that corruption *sometimes* [not often] occurs.

The downloader that you googled up for me is Smart Downloader. I love my present download manager [Star] but I grabbed a copy of Smartie pants, just in case I might need it one day.

Speaking of geezers -- I am "an old geezer," but is there such a thing as a geezer who is NOT old? Have you ever met or heard of a "young geezer?"

shaalu shalom America!

[bellgamin]

Originally posted by rlane
I just say oh well most of the time and drop it, it must be a sign it was a no good program anyway.

I am much too stubborn to do that. I keep futzing around until I finally do get the dadgummed file downloaded. Then I delete it! :p

[Gade Terbob]

Speaking of geezers -- I am "an old geezer," but is there such a thing as a geezer who is NOT old? Have you ever met or heard of a "young geezer?"

Since "old" and "young" are relative terms, I'd have to reply "Yes, I've heard of "young geezers".

I believe you have (several) years on me. Therefore, I'll be the young geezer, if you'd like to be the honored, old geezer.

When I was 40, I was employed in a office full of 25 yr old hot shot pilots. I was then referred to as the "old geezer". I was the oldest line pilot in that office. It's all relative, and as time goes on, things change.

Shalom Y Adios!

[bellgamin]

Originally posted by Gade Terbob
Adios!

Si tuviera dos casas, me daria usted uno?

The above was part of an unfunny joke that I had to translate in HS Spanish class.

As I recall, when writing Spanish, a question should be preceded by an upside-down question mark. How can I make one of those on my keyboard? Also, how can I put the little ~ over the "n" in Espanol?

Moving to a word of French origin, in the word fiance, how do I put the tilted ' over the "e"?

Seriously -- I need to do these things from time to time, but do not know how.

Regards..........bell

[Gade Terbob]

¿Mismo El?
O
¿Seńor?

Hint: Think ASCII. I think html also allows such characters.

[bellgamin]

¿Puedes hablar Español?

That chick is my grandson's fiancé.

I googled up an ASCII table at...
http://www.asciitable.com/

Now I can generate those special characters using ALT + ASCII's extended codes. A few of them don't work right, however.

[Gade Terbob]

Word 2000 provides for direct entry of special characters, but I find no evidence that WordPad will. I'm sure Notepad won't, except for ascii. Look at your favorite editor and see if it allows direct entry of special characters. Word 2000 has a huge selection of such stuff. I hadn't noticed it before today!!

[Madox]

Start->Programs->Accessories->System Tools->Character Map

[Gade Terbob]

Madox's suggestion even changes with the selected font. It just never ceases to amaze me how little I know. Thanks, Madox. Enjoy, Bell.

[bellgamin]

Thanks Madox. Now that THAT problem is solved, we have nothing left to talk about.

....uh, unless someone has a suggestion as to how I can get another little problem of mine taken care of. Like maybe...

Start->Programs->Accessories->System Tools->New Prostate

bell :rolleyes: