Zipped file attachments won't unzip

[LewGA]

I'm using Windows XP Home edition with OE6. Often, (but
no always) when I receive an email with a zipped Word
attachment, the zipped file will not open (unzip or
extract). When I save the file and then attempt to use
the Extraction Wizard I get an error message "The
compressed (zipped) folder is invalid or corrupt."

This does not happen on all zipped files, but is
happening often enough to really cause problems as I
receive a lot of zipped business files.

Any help, ideas, suggestions or solutions would be
greatly appreciated!

LEW in GA

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Do you have Winzip? I'd get it - I find it a lot better than the native
unzip feature of WinXP. However, note that although your question really is
more of an OS one than a mail client one anyway:

This is a group to support Outlook from the Office group of programs.
Outlook Express is a part of Internet Explorer and is a quite different
program, despite its similar name..

You will probably get a faster and more expert answer if you post this to an
Outlook Express news group.

Try posting in one of these newsgroups:
microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie5.outlookexpress for OE 5.x
microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie55.outlookexpress for OE 5.5x
microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6_outlookexpress for OE 6.x
microsoft.public.internet.outlookexpress.mac for OE for Macintosh

If those groups aren't carried on the news server that's carrying this group
try using msnews.microsoft.com (MS's public news server that's the source
for all the microsoft.public newsgroups).

A good website for information on OE is:
http://www.tomsterdam.com/

 

[CyberDroog]

I'm using Windows XP Home edition with OE6. Often, (but
no always) when I receive an email with a zipped Word
attachment, the zipped file will not open (unzip or
extract). When I save the file and then attempt to use
the Extraction Wizard I get an error message "The
compressed (zipped) folder is invalid or corrupt."

I'm having a problem with this lately also.

I have tried sending .zip files created with XP, PowerDesk, WinZip, WinRar,
etc. Recipients have been trying the same apps to open them without any
luck. They receive messages of "invalid archive format", empty zip files
but no error message (yet they are still multi megabyte files), or CRC
errors.

I have tried any number of variations for message format. Rich Text, HTML,
Plain Text, with and without specificity UUENCODE for plain text, as well
as trying each with and without using Word as the email editor.

Still, a lot of attachments are being corrupted between me and the
recipient. I'm starting to wonder if the ISP (RoadRunner) has done
something to screw this up. A lot of ISP's are making changes designed to
prevent the damage from email bugs.

 

[Karen Morris]

I'm having a problem with this lately also.

I have tried sending .zip files created with XP, PowerDesk, WinZip, WinRar,
etc. Recipients have been trying the same apps to open them without any
luck. They receive messages of "invalid archive format", empty zip files
but no error message (yet they are still multi megabyte files), or CRC
errors.

I have tried any number of variations for message format. Rich Text, HTML,
Plain Text, with and without specificity UUENCODE for plain text, as well
as trying each with and without using Word as the email editor.

<bits snipped>

Best advice would be to first of all create a self extracting exe file in
winzip. Then rename the .exe file to say .123 to bypass any blocked
extensions in email. Do a new email then attach the file.

When the user receives the file, save to the hard drive and get user to
rename the file back to exe. Then just double click on the file, as it is
self extracting it will ask the user where to extract the files, select the
location and off you go. Advantage of self extracting files is it doesn't
matter what software the end user has on the machine they will be able to
extract the files. Even if they do not have winzip or any zip software full
stop.

You are better off renaming the self extracting exe file because many
companies block exe files via email these days.

Regards

Karen

 

[CyberDroog]

Best advice would be to first of all create a self extracting exe file in
winzip. Then rename the .exe file to say .123 to bypass any blocked
extensions in email. Do a new email then attach the file.

I don't have to bother. I did some further testing - attaching the files
without zipping them. .jpg's. .mp3's, etc.

It appears that .zip files in particular are being corrupted in transit.

---
He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from
oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will
reach to himself.

- Thomas Paine