Large file stops downloading part way through... help!

[KlyR24]

Large file won't completely download - I have a large file that was sent to me for work (92.88 MB) and my computer doesn't seem to want to let me fully download it. I've tried Firefox, IE, and Chrome. I get either a "failed" (Firefox) or a "failed - network error" (Chrome) at some point during the process. I've tried oodles of times and have gotten up to about 60 MB of it to successfully download, but I need the full file to complete my work. I'm not sure if it's something with my computer or with the file itself. (I'm using Windows 7 if that's any help). Also, I have downloaded other, smaller, files today with no problem, just like usual. Any advise? This is time sensitive, so I'd love to get a fix as fast as possible. I have contacted my client who I am working for right now, but they haven't gotten back to me, and I'd love to be able to fix this on my own if there's a simple fix. Thanks!

 

[Multipack]

Your internet connection is probably dropping? Are you connected via ethernet or wifi? Try a ping/speed test at http://speedtest.net to see what results you get.

 

[KlyR24]

Your internet connection is probably dropping? Are you connected via ethernet or wifi? Try a ping/speed test at http://speedtest.net to see what results you get.

Thanks for your fast reply! I think I'm wifi (on a laptop, but desktop computer a room away has modem). Didn't fair too good on the test - the Ping test said I got a D, and then the speed test said Ping 65 ms, Download speed 3.01 Mbps, Upload speed 0.71 Mbps. I guess I will have to contact the company and ask if they can send the file through Dropbox instead or else if they can split the file up.

 

[mjslakeridge]

How long is it taking to download, before it fails? Per my calculations 92.88MB x 8 bits / 3.01Mb/second /60 seconds per minute, it should take about 4.11 minutes to download the entire file, assuming the 3.01Mb/second is pretty constant.

 

[KlyR24]

How long is it taking to download, before it fails? Per my calculations 92.88MB x 8 bits / 3.01Mb/second /60 seconds per minute, it should take about 4.11 minutes to download the entire file, assuming the 3.01Mb/second is pretty constant.

Just tried again, and it got the farthest so far - 71 MB (but it failed, so I can't open it) and it took about 4 minutes. Usually it tells you on the download bar how many minutes or seconds or whatever it will take, but for this file it has never said - just said unknown time remaining.

 

[Multipack]

Why not download it on the desktop a room away and either transfer over your Local Network or with a USB drive? Or is the desktop not accessible, or suffering the same problem? If so, perhaps try reinstalling your wifi(laptop)/lan(desktop) drivers. How you do that depends on your system and wireless adapter though.

 

[mjslakeridge]

Or take your laptop to the next room and connect it via ethernet cable to your router/modem.

Perhaps you have a very poor WIFI signal and it drops before completing the download. You can download LAN speed test and install it on the laptop and the other computer. You will then be able to transfer a file of any size you choose over the WIFI. It will tell you how long it took and the speed of the transfer.

I have one computer connected to my home network via a (cheap) WIFI range extender, and a 20 MB file takes just over 2 seconds at a speed of 70Mb/sec.

3.01Mb/second is a pretty slow internet download speed nowadays, but even so as I said about it should only take 4-6 minutes to download the file you are attempting.

 

[KlyR24]

Why not download it on the desktop a room away and either transfer over your Local Network or with a USB drive? Or is the desktop not accessible, or suffering the same problem? If so, perhaps try reinstalling your wifi(laptop)/lan(desktop) drivers. How you do that depends on your system and wireless adapter though.

Thanks! This was going to be my next thing to try (I'm not quite so savvy as everyone here, so I'd rather not mess with the wifi and stuff like that that I don't know what I'm doing, lol), but my client instead sent it via gmail (google drive) and it worked. I had to say I wanted to download it even though it was too large of a file for virus scan to get through, so I did, and then it fully downloaded... so maybe it was actually a virus protection thing or something that was keeping it from downloading all the way? I don't know, but I'm just glad I have it now!! Thank you ALL for all the super help!!

 

[mjslakeridge]

Glad you got it downloaded. I had 3mb/sec download speed when I first signed up with AT&T for their least expensive plan. After the first year, of course the price doubled, so I called them to complain and they doubled my speed to 6mb/sec. (I actually get 7 or 8 mb/sec download, depending on the time of day). They also gave me a much faster router/modem.

You might try the same tactic, since this is your business.

 

[KlyR24]

Glad you got it downloaded. I had 3mb/sec download speed when I first signed up with AT&T for their least expensive plan. After the first year, of course the price doubled, so I called them to complain and they doubled my speed to 6mb/sec. (I actually get 7 or 8 mb/sec download, depending on the time of day). They also gave me a much faster router/modem.

You might try the same tactic, since this is your business.

That's a good idea! I have Verizon, and I know a lot of people in my area aren't too happy and are switching because their speeds are so low. They say that's the highest they can do in this particular area, and yet a competitor is offering a lot faster... I've been putting it off, but may cave at some point here. Thanks so much for your help!