Can't install any downloaded software

[ghettodub]

Any time I try to install any downloaded software, for example Winamp,
Firefox, etc, it does not work. I will get a popup that says "(program name)
has stopped working. A problem has caused the program to stop working
correctly. Windows will close the program and notify you if a solution is
available."

It has done this with every file I've downloaded and tried to install. Also,
some MSI files I've downloaded (turbotax update, etc.) do nothing after I try
to run them. I've verified that the software is compatible with Vista (per
the places I've downloaded them from), turned off UAC, disabled Windows
Firewall and Defender, Run as Admin, and even tried in Safe Mode. Also, I've
run Windows Update and it says there are no available updates.

System info:
Vista Home Basic
Intel dual 2.66 GhZ
2 gig ram

 

[jmgator]

I am having the same problem - details are:

Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: APPCRASH
Application Name: GameSpot_Download_Manager[1].exe
Application Version: 0.183.0.0
Application Timestamp: 473efcbf
Fault Module Name: GameSpot_Download_Manager[1].exe
Fault Module Version: 0.183.0.0
Fault Module Timestamp: 473efcbf
Exception Code: c0000005
Exception Offset: 0000353d
OS Version: 6.0.6000.2.0.0.768.3
Locale ID: 1033
Additional Information 1: bbac
Additional Information 2: 2d077c9b1bb993eab7ccb231c16fa6f1
Additional Information 3: 997f
Additional Information 4: bd13d9cc77da4759cd86547a99f7cd28

 

[John Barnes]

Did you do a clean installation or an upgrade from XP?

 

[ghettodub]

Clean brand new install on a new pc

Did you do a clean installation or an upgrade from XP?

 

[Ghettodub]

Anyone have any ideas or solutions on this one yet? Tried reinstalling Vista
yesterday and am having the same issue, so I'm thinking that I have a bad
copy of Vista. Tried calling the place I bought it, and they're telling me I
have to pay for support now.

 

[John Barnes]

Since Vista lays down an image file an checks it, you are not installing a
bad copy. You said you installed fresh over the weekend. Did you install
anything after installing Vista? Any problems with programs from CD's?
Have you tried downloading a program on another computer and then trying to
install it?

 

[SeanD]

I have the same computer. This has been a problem since it was new. I
temporarily solved the problem by installing Free Download Manager. It could
download files without corrupting them. Unfortunately, I had a recent
problem that required me to uninstall Free Download Manager, and the problem
is back. I re-installed FDM, but I still have the download issues. If you
find a solution, please let me know because I am stumped by this one.

 

[John Barnes]

Same computer? All I see is a CPU. Have you tried to download on another
computer and installing on the problem one. At least that would narrow it
somewhat. Are you downloading directly or thru a router.

 

[Ghettodub]

No problem with programs from CD. I will try to download something from work,
put it on a USB drive, and then try it from home.

 

[Ghettodub]

So i downloaded iTunes from work, installed it on a USB drive, and it
installed fine on my pc... Hmm, what next?

 

[John Barnes]

Given the other post that the similar computer is having the same problems,
it would appear that it is related to the hardware or software that is
associated with your machines. Have you tried downloading something with
both the firewall and anti-virus disabled? That would eliminate those. It
does look like a trial and error process to find out what is causing your
defective downloads.

 

[Ghettodub]

So i think i finally figured out what the problem is: it's IE.

So after getting iTunes installed (from a copy downloaded from another
computer), i went to another computer in my house and downloaded firefox on
to a USB drive.

Installed it just fine, so i went and downloaded some programs I tried to
install before but was receiving errors. Everything installed just fine. So
something in my Internet Explorer was corrupting those files, or something
like that.

But hey, now I'm a happy man! Thanks to everyone that chimed in as well, and
hopefully this fix will work with other people. Obviously it doesn't tell me
what's wrong with IE, but as long as I have a working browser now, I'm happy!

 

[SeanD]

I formatted my drive and performed a clean install of Vista--problem solved.
Downloads are working perfectly on my computer now. I assume there was a
glitch in the original factory install. I'm sorry to hear that didn't solve
your problem. Good luck.