Whenever I try to use a file that I've downloaded off of LimeWire in a .zip format, I get this:
! Cannot execute "C:\Users\UserA\AppData\Local\Temp\Rar$EX00.949\Se tup.exe"

I am using Windows Vista, WinRAR 3.71 (corporate edition), and I am on a broadband connection. I do have a firewall, but it is set at minimum and I have allowed all permissions to LimeWire for uploads, downloads, and internet connection.

Thanks for the help, if you can help me.

You could be banging your head much harder if the file had opened.

Remember, you are downloading from someone else's computer via a network that is filled with bogus and often dangerous files, posted by they who wish to stop p-p file-sharing. That is why virtually every experienced user here would tell you to Never download a .zip or .exe file via Gnutella. After all, you never know for sure what set up.exe is going to do. The possiblilties are endless.

Before downloading anything you should consider using LW's link to Bitzi. Info here: http://www.gnutellaforums.com/open-d...owse-chat.html.

It happens with every single .zip file I've downloaded. And yes, I successfully unpacked the .zip file, but when I try to actually use it I get the aforementioned error message.

Hmmm, perhaps one of those files that you unzipped previously has made a change or two to your system. I read that a lot of .zip files are infected.

The error message has nothing to do with LW. Either the setup file is corrupted (a common occurance) or your system is compromised. It's probably the former, but if you keep opening .zip files that you get from unknown sources, you're guaranteed to infect your computer.

You misunderstand me. Firstly, I can download .zip files from any other source and successfully run the programs or .exe files contained inside them. However, I cannot do the same with any file from LW. It is not a problem caused by LW (or rather, a problem caused by a limewire-related file), because not only do I scan every single file with 3 different security systems (Norton, McAfee, PcCillin), I encountered the same problem (even with the same error message) with every single LW-downloaded .zip file, which is that I cannot even run the program or .exe file contained within the .zip file. Yes, even the first file that I ever downloaded off of LW. To test my theory, I downloaded a file in its original .exe form from LimeWire, never compressed or archived into a .zip or .rar format. That .exe file ran seamlessly. Now that what the problem is has been established and proven, I would like to not discuss and argue about the nature of that problem, but rather find a solution my problem.