Firefox - save downloaded files not working

[vercan]

Whenever I click on a url that links to a file, I expect the browser to ask me if I want to open or save that file, even more if it is the first time I have clicked on a certain file type (.zip, .pdf, etc). Usually, the browser gives me the option to "save" my preference (open/save) for that specific file type, so that in the future it doesn't ask and simply do whatever I told it on that first time. For example: I always "save" archives (zip, tar.gz, tgz, etc) and documents (pdf, doc, xls). I never open them in the browser. On the other hand, I usually "open" media files (wmv, wav, avi, etc). The functionality described above is the default for Opera and I am almost sure that it is for Firefox (both downloaded directly from their respective sites).

Well, for some unkown reason, someone thinks that the DEFAULT should be to open file links in their corresponding application, no matter what. To that respect, Opera from CNR is modified so that ALL file links are opened insted of giving the option to save. Also, Firefox acts in this same manner, eventhough I specifically configured it to "Ask me where to save files".

I've modified Opera's startup script to eliminate this behavior, but I have been unable to fix Firefox. I want to switch to Firefox, but this behavior really bothers me to the point that I am still using Opera.

Is there a way to fix this, or should I try downloading Firefox directly from Mozilla's website ?

I think that I understand the reasons for this behavior, but I don't agree. If I am browsing my filesystem with konqueror a double-click on a file should open it in its corresponding application. But when I browse the web, a click on a file link should download it.

[andy.w]

Hi

Maybe the download process is working and that you cannot find where freespire is putting the file.

Check you tmp directory in the main file structure and report back.

[andy.w]

another option is to install the firefox extension called download status bar.

This is a really helpful program for downloading files and where they are.

[StanTheMan]

Firefox download manager never did work right for me. Mine automatically downloads to /temp the at trhe end of the download starts K3B automatically then later deletes the download from /temp.
My solution is to use another browser.

[Bligh]

I don't have FF installed, but have you tried changing the options under preferences>downloads?
Cheers

[StanTheMan]

That is the poblem. I changed the settings for downloads in Firefox the same as I have done with other browsers, but Firefox disregards the settings.

[stavih]

When you see a link to files/media you are interested in downloading, right click on the link and choose "Save Link As". Then you can specify the download directory. It will default to desktop or the last location you downloaded to.

Additionally you'll have to specify a filename and extension to be saved as. The default is useless unless trying to save the link instead of the file(s).

I used this just last night to download a bunch of episodes of Star Trek Hidden Frontier episodes.

Navigation conventions can be a little tricky. It might seem sometimes 'you cant get there from here', but with a little experimentation you'll figure it out.

[vercan]

Thanks everyone for the quick response.

-andy.w: I do know where FF is saving the file, it is in /tmp, but this is not what I want. Also, I don't want to open the file and FF does that automatically.

- Bligh: as StanTheMan said, FF doesn't care about the settings.

- stavih: the problem with right-clicking the link is that sometimes that link runs a script that validates the download and later redirects to the actual file. So the only thing you would be saving is the info in the validation script and not the file, I guess. Maybe I am wrong, so I will try this again. Anyway, FF is still not acting as it should.


I think I will try the downloads extension suggested by andy.w and also, I will try FF directly from Mozilla.


( Start Trek Hidden Frontier ???, I'll have to check this)

[stavih]

( Start Trek Hidden Frontier ???, I'll have to check this)
Its a fan series. I give them 'A' for effort and the computer modelling is first rate. Quality is so-so on acting and compositing, but it allows you to get your Star Trek fix with some new material.

Surgeon General's Warning: An alternate name for this series might be - Star Trek; The Gay Generation. (With a Seinfeldian 'not that there's anything wrong with that' thrown in, just to be safe.)

[seeker5528]

That is the poblem. I changed the settings for downloads in Firefox the same as I have done with other browsers, but Firefox disregards the settings.

The Firefox packages in Linspire/Freespire have a bunch of file types specified to open in programs that handle the file type in question, so if you just click the download it will download the file to the temp directory and open it in the program specified. This is completely seperate from the genric download options 'Save files to.../Ask me where to save' options.

If you want to change the behaviour for one of the recognized file types in Firefox 2.x go to 'Edit --> Preferences --> Content --> Manage', select the file type you want to change the behaviour for, then click on the 'Change Action' button. Names/location may vary a bit in older Firefox.

Later, Seeker

[Neo]

Yeah I've been experiencing the same problem.
Firefox is set to ask me where I want to download a file, but it never does.
It does however download all files to /tmp
Then it opens a cd/dvd burning program and automatically erases the file before I can ever see it.

I tried the suggestion of going to Preferences --> Content --> Manage
This did not help as the files I am downloading, Linux iso's, are not listed.

The workaround that I am using is to right click on the link and select save as.

This appears to be more of a bug that needs to be addressed (I have Firefox in Ubuntu and until recently XP and in both cases it would ask you where to save the file to).

EDIT: I found this thread by searching and hadn't realized it was posted under Linspire, I am using Freespire 2.0.8

[grathganor]

Yeah I've been experiencing the same problem.
Firefox is set to ask me where I want to download a file, but it never does.
It does however download all files to /tmp
Then it opens a cd/dvd burning program and automatically erases the file before I can ever see it.

I tried the suggestion of going to Preferences --> Content --> Manage
This did not help as the files I am downloading, Linux iso's, are not listed.

The workaround that I am using is to right click on the link and select save as.

This appears to be more of a bug that needs to be addressed (I have Firefox in Ubuntu and until recently XP and in both cases it would ask you where to save the file to).

EDIT: I found this thread by searching and hadn't realized it was posted under Linspire, I am using Freespire 2.0.8

I personally haven't had this issue with Firefox. Are you using Firefox or is it the default Lbrowser. Though come to think of it I have always been in the habit of right click save as. Hmm I"ll try that when I get to my spire computer now that I think about it.

[JDoyle]

Did you get Firefox from CNR?
I do not see this problem with Firefox downloaded directly from mozilla.

JD

[Neo]

I am using the version of Firefox that came with FS 2.0.8
In taking a closer look at it, it's not called Firefox but simply "Web Browser".

Could someone please tell me what is the simplist way for a Newbie like me to download and install the true version of Firefox?

[DrHu]

I am using the version of Firefox that came with FS 2.0.8
In taking a closer look at it, it's not called Firefox but simply "Web Browser".

Could someone please tell me what is the simplist way for a Newbie like me to download and install the true version of Firefox?
That's the lbrowser (Freespire customized Firefox).

In a terminal window (konsole)

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-get install mozilla-firefox


The purpose of apt-get update, apt-get upgrade is to make sure your system is up-to-date before installing anything
--this will install firefox 2.0.8, and it will appear under f icon>Run Programs>Internet>Firefox web browser.

Or you can install with CNR (also includes commercial software) or synaptic (foss software); gui package managers for apt repositories

[Neo]

Thanks again DrHu.
I've followed your instrustions and am now using the real Firefox without problem.