.sit files not decompressing
 

I have downloaded hundreds of MBs of files and after changing the file type and creator types from the generic LimeWire codes, Stuffit Deluxe (6.5.1) will return message saying file has been corrupted. I can successfully download MP3 files, change the file type and work with them successfully. I can open .img and .dmg files - provided Stuffit will decompress. I have had particular difficulty with Mac OSX files!!! I've had enough with the post from "bink" saying to simply change the file type - it's not the problem!!!! Either people are recycling and sharing corrupted files - or there is some other problem at work here. Has anyone successfully downloaded the OS X files and been able to install them?

Hey there,

Yes, the type and creator code can sometimes be used as a quick fix, but only if the file is indeed a valid (uncorrupted) file.

More important than the type and creator code info is the actual "internal structure" of the file itself. For example, all Adobe Acrobat PDF documents begin (internally) with the line "%PDF". If a file you try to open doesn't begin w/ this, Acrobat will give an error message that the document isn't a PDF document, or at least not a valid one.

In other words, the type and creator code don't guarantee anything about the file's actual format or content.

Also see the following posts for more info:

http://www.gnutellaforums.com/showth...threadid=10840

http://www.gnutellaforums.com/showth...threadid=11120


"Either people are recycling and sharing corrupted files - or...."

That's exactly it. Why the hell people would want to do this, I don't know. Usually if I encounter a corrupt file, I'll keep sharing it, but in all caps add "DAMAGED" to the file name so hopefully people will get the idea before they download. That's better than just deleting it, in my opinion. Also, you can check to make sure you don't download it again.


Yes, I've encountered quite a few corrupt files (I also use Mac OS X) but usually have found a good version. Usually, the larger the archive file's MB for a given app, the better chances you'll have that it might be good. Emphasis on "Usually."

Hope this helps....