Solved RAR files being corrupted

[mkr10001]

Recently after moving and using different internet than I have before whenever I download a rar file, more often than not, when it comes to extracting it I get a CRC error. It's too big a coincidence that this many of the rars I download are are corrupt files for it not to be something to do with my new internet set up here.

Any ideas as to what could be doing this? It's a new ISP and a new router.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I've never seen that on a consistent basis. I don't use a router.

Can you bypass the router temporarily to see if it persists?

If this is from newsgroups, are any repair files offered (PAR files)?

Can you try another app to unpack the RARs??

If you are just downloading something from an average website and it happens time after time on many different websites, I'd have to assume it is a local problem, not related to your ISP.

 

[mkr10001]

It happens when I download from fileserve, rapidshare, megaupload and the like. It's not always. I guess they could just have been corrupted somewhere else. I've downloaded a couple of multipart rars recently and they have come up with this error.
There were some with repair records but not all. I've tried unrarring with winrar and 7zip.

I could just be on completely the wrong track and they could indeed be bad files.

Can't really do much troubleshooting with the router.

I'm living "with" some people as a lodger in a separate section of the house. They bought a new wireless router but as the signal wasn't strong enough I'm using a powerline adapter with a wireless router plugged in (just the wireless not the modem)

 

[Britton30]

Are you are on two wireless routers? Have the people move the new router to a different location.

 

[mkr10001]

i can't that's why we had to get the powerline adapters. If there was a place for it where it would reach me, it would be there

 

[patio]

3 main culprits that will cause this...
Flakey connection
HDD read/write errors
RAM errors.

 

[BBK]

I would imagine the 'internet over powerline' is causing noise on your line and therfore causing the CRC errors.

Stupid idea, but anyway to run your own patch cable from the router to your room?

 

[Layback Bear]

This may help. Every thing from a screen door to a cell phone.

Mac-Forums Blog » Networking » Wireless Networking FAQ

 

[rraod]

You can try to buy a wireless enhancer to overcome this problem.

Alfa AWUS036H 1000mW 1W 802.11b/g USB Wireless WiFi network Adapter with 5dBi Antenna and Suction cup Window Mount dock - for Wardriving & Range Extension

This device costs around US$32 or so and will give you a good connection from a distance. I am using it and it is catching signals from a long distance.

Hopefully this should solve your problem.

 

[mkr10001]

Hmm thanks for the suggestions guys. Not sure I will be able to do any of them though.
Can't imagine the landlord's response to "can you buy these things so my pirate tv shows don't get corrupted?" lol

It's not a massive deal as I can get them to extract then rebuild so they do play, just a bit of an inconvenience.

3 main culprits that will cause this...
Flakey connection
HDD read/write errors
RAM errors.

Is there a way to test for those bottom two?

I would imagine the 'internet over powerline' is causing noise on your line and therfore causing the CRC errors.

Stupid idea, but anyway to run your own patch cable from the router to your room?

Won't be able to do that unfortunately as it would need to go outside then back inside again

 

[DeaconFrost]

Memtest and the hard drive manufacturer's diag tool will test for those issues. However, this is one reason I avoid powerline adapters. This is not uncommon.

Why not have separate internet connections, or use proper networking equipment, if not?

 

[mkr10001]

Memtest and the hard drive manufacturer's diag tool will test for those issues. However, this is one reason I avoid powerline adapters. This is not uncommon.

Why not have separate internet connections, or use proper networking equipment, if not?

I'm only renting for a year. It's a converted barn and I live in a separate part of the house. Separate internet and proper networking equipment is out of the question I think. It works well enough for me to not ask them to spend more money. Separate in that I don't need to interfere with them. I still get power from the main house though. They are simple people in that they don't really use a lot of technology. The only reason they bought a wireless router in the first place was for me. He already spent a load of money on these adapters. They work fine except for this rar problem. What I should have done was use an ethernet cable instead of my wireless to download them this time round.

I'll check out memtest though cheers.

I have downloaded a few rars today and they have been OK. Does tend to be multipart rars that mess up.

 

[mkr10001]

Good news. I finished downloading the rars again and unpacked them. Still got a CRC error but this time the rebuild worked and the file seems ok now.

 

[BBK]

Can your wireless router be wirelessly bridged off the main router.

Would eliminate the power line interference.

 

[mkr10001]

Can your wireless router be wirelessly bridged off the main router.

Would eliminate the power line interference.

Nope. Would need cables running through his house and he doesn't want that really.