Download.com site feedback forum: Cannot download from CNET

I'm experiencing the same problem today as well. I've always been able to download from CNET.com, but somehow today, no matter what I try to download nothing is happening. Same as you, I click on the "downlad" and it would flash and reload and returns to the same screen. Wonder if it's a CNET issue. On windows 7 home premium, IE latest version.

BTW if by "latest version" you are referring to IE 9 I think there is a separate forum that addresses that issue.

I am having the exact same problem trying to download at http://download.cnet.com/Freemake-Video-Converter/3000-2194_4-75218346.html . I have gone to the software parent site to attempt a download from it, but it only leads me back to downloadcnet.com, so there appears to be no alternate download site. This is the first time I have run into a download problem like this. I use Windows 7 Ultimate and Explorer 8, though I have tried Firefox 3.6 also, with the same result. I contacted CNET tech help and received an email suggesting I try some help measures given on http://www.download.com/help . So far, none have worked. Hence, my being here at the CNET Forum, another of their suggestions.

I don't know how to disable JavaScript through IE.

I noticed I was only experiencing the download issue in IE. I tried downloading it through Google Chrome and it was successful. I copied the download page address and pasted it onto IE and it redirected me to the "download now" page, so I'm assuming it's a redirect issue through IE. I know the previous user also tried with IE8 and wasn't successful. I have downloaded through IE through CNET previously and never had a problem until this week.

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

No thanks necessary, just glad you were able to download. After trying Google Chrome, it's really a much faster browser than IE.

As Youtube's use agreement tells us we can't download I find Youtube may change and break such downloaders.

Since downloaders are a violation of the agreement at youtube, support is hard to find.
Bob

Thanks for your suggestion, which I tried on Firefox. Unfortunately, it was still unsuccessful in downloading the desired software.
I'm wondering whether the download problems I and a few others are reporting is a common one at downloadcnet.com? Or is it only seen on certain links like the one I am having problem with? Perhaps it could be widespread, but not being reported.

In response to your request, I have been using Firefox 3.6 and IE 8, the URL I have been using, and where the download link is located is http://download.cnet.com/Freemake-Video-Converter/3000-2194_4-75218346.html . The download link is located at the top of the opening page. I do not use TechTracker. I may have an ad blocker (is there a place I should look to find out for sure?), but no others. As you may guess, I do not consider myself a computer whiz. I just use it to get what I want done and try not to get too involved with it, though it does not always work when technical issues come along. However, if I can supply further information that will help, I'd be interested in knowing what the problem is as well.

I hope the following link is what you requested, Mr. Wilkinson. I tried 2 different options available by right-clicking the "Download Now" button.

This URL was obtained by clicking on "Save link as?."
http://dw.com.com/redir?edId=3&siteId=4&oId=3000-2194_4-75218346&ontId=2194_4&spi=29e5f28c7f9bb6ff8b190fbd9a3af8e5&lop=btn<ype=dl_dlnow&pid=11730317&mfgId=10098061&merId=10098061&pguid=QhBuawoOYJIAABTpf-0AAACz&destUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fdownload.cnet.com%2F3001-2194_4-75218346.html%3Fspi%3D29e5f28c7f9bb6ff8b190fbd9a3af8e5

This following URL, which is similar, but not exactly the same as above, was obtained by clicking on "Send link?."
http://dw.com.com/redir?edId=3&siteId=4&oId=3000-2194_4-75218346&ontId=2194_4&spi=f58a2b60036eb234433b0bfe5e67f28b&lop=btn<ype=dl_dlnow&pid=11730317&mfgId=10098061&merId=10098061&pguid=a4pxnwoOYIwAAHLPqPoAAADf&destUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fdownload.cnet.com%2F3001-2194_4-75218346.html%3Fspi%3Df58a2b60036eb234433b0bfe5e67f28b
I have tried both of the above by pasting to the address bar of Firefox. When I press "Enter," the address changes back to the original http://download.cnet.com/Freemake-Video-Converter/3000-2194_4-75218346.html .
Incidentally, when I press the "Download Now" button, the only change I see on the page is that the advertisement at the top of the page and the right column refresh, but not the body of the text. This also happens when I paste the above URL's and press "Enter.' Of course, no download occurs.
Hope this information is useful to you. And, thanks to you and everyone else for joining the 'battle.'

This is the URL that the Download Now link redirects to that does work:

http://download.cnet.com/3001-2194_4-75218346.html?spi=dce50a32f0723ceb7a162db20c612acf

When the Download Now wasn't working I think the screen flashed and it returned to the original URL. I kind of remember seeing a facebook reference flash by when the download didn't work for me. As I stated earlier when it didn't work I tried clearing the browser cache and temporary files. It made no difference at that time but downloads worked the following morning. I also see a javascript reference flash by now that the downloads work that I don't think I saw when the downloads didn't work. (See my earlier post above)

Hey Jim,

CNET actually uses a couple different types of links for downloads, so there's some complexity in tracking this down. If it happens again, could you right-click the Download Now link, copy the location/URL, and paste it here. As I mentioned above to Ute62, the link on the page should differ from the URL you actually land on. Specifically, it should start with either javascript: OR http://dw.com.com. Both rely on redirects, while the former also relies on Javascript. And since those Sort By buttons also rely on Javascript, both may be a result of the same cause.

For you, one other question: is your CNET account associated with a Facebook account?

Let us know.
John

It appears to be an issue that affects users randomly, so, while I hope for your sake you do not encounter it again, I hope you get the opportunity to copy the "dw.com.com" link if you do happen to be affected again.

Good luck.
John

http://dw.com.com/redir?edId=3&siteId=4&oId=3000-2170_4-10030774&ontId=2170_4&spi=5ddff6bebca8af204f7a85117ddcd189&lop=link<ype=dl_dlnow&pid=11375087&mfgId=64157&merId=64157&pguid=-EcwMwoOYJMAAG5l9NUAAAAk&destUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fdownload.cnet.com%2F3001-2170_4-10030774.html%3Fspi%3D5ddff6bebca8af204f7a85117ddcd189

Wanted to download FL Studio 9.1
Kept refreshing, and refreshing, and refreshing. Took his idea.... Removed "l%3Fspi%3D5ddff6bebca8af204f7a85117ddcd189" (see link below) LO AND BEHOLD IT WORKED!!!!
http://dw.com.com/redir?edId=3&siteId=4&oId=3000-2170_4-10030774&ontId=2170_4&spi=5ddff6bebca8af204f7a85117ddcd189&lop=link<ype=dl_dlnow&pid=11375087&mfgId=64157&merId=64157&pguid=-EcwMwoOYJMAAG5l9NUAAAAk&destUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fdownload.cnet.com%2F3001-2170_4-10030774.htm

If you would, try the original link to confirm it still fails:
http://dw.com.com/redir?edId=3&siteId=4&oId=3000-2170_4-10030774&ontId=2170_4&spi=5ddff6bebca8af204f7a85117ddcd189&lop=link<ype=dl_dlnow&pid=11375087&mfgId=64157&merId=64157&pguid=-EcwMwoOYJMAAG5l9NUAAAAk&destUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fdownload.cnet.com%2F3001-2170_4-10030774.html%3Fspi%3D5ddff6bebca8af204f7a85117ddcd189

and then try removing just the letter "l" in "html":
http://dw.com.com/redir?edId=3&siteId=4&oId=3000-2170_4-10030774&ontId=2170_4&spi=5ddff6bebca8af204f7a85117ddcd189&lop=link<ype=dl_dlnow&pid=11375087&mfgId=64157&merId=64157&pguid=-EcwMwoOYJMAAG5l9NUAAAAk&destUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fdownload.cnet.com%2F3001-2170_4-10030774.htm%3Fspi%3D5ddff6bebca8af204f7a85117ddcd189

That'll at least tell them whether it's the file extension or the "spi" value that is causing the issue.

John

Note: This post was edited by forum moderator to make the links clickable on 03/22/2011 on 5:39 AM PT

1 - these were the 2 downloads I was trying to get through IE and it just redirects me back to the same page

http://download.cnet.com/Glary-Utilities/3000-2094_4-10508531.html?tag=mncol;1

http://download.cnet.com/Advanced-SystemCare-Free/3000-2086_4-10407614.html?tag=mncol;5

then tried it on Google Chrome and was able to download, I copy and pasted this link onto IE and it redirected to the "Download Now" (the same links as above) page

2 - I do not use TechTracker

3 - I disabled all my pop-ups, ad blockers, etc and even lowered the security on my IE and was still not able to download through IE.

Hope this helps, I'm not super tech savvy but I can usually problem solve what goes on.

Thanks and let me know if you find a solution.

http://download.cnet.com/3001-2094_4-10508531.html?spi=28086905f68a214f09de44a396c5be00

http://download.cnet.com/3001-2086_4-10407614.html?spi=eef9a423f1b43ae618c0a0610fbed71b