Can't download Zotero....Help it's CORRUPT

NataliDee
I once had zotero on my PC (I use Mozilla Firefox) and it disappeared. I have been trying to download it again and it will not download. The error message says:

"The add-on downloaded from www.zotero.org could not be installed because it appears to be corrupt"
  • adamsmith
    the add-on is fine. Try clearing your cache, restart FF and try again. If that doesn't help, try downloading it with another browser and then use Tools--Add-ons --> Install from file.
  • NataliDee
    Clearing the cache didn't work. I downloaded the standalone version from internet explorer but can't add it to firefox. The message still says corrupted.

    I should mention that zotero still appears under tools in firefox. But when I try to access it says "There was an error starting Zotero"

    help
  • dstillman
    edited April 10, 2013
    This could be an issue with your network. (As adamsmith says, the file itself is of course fine.) Get a friend on another network to download the XPI and email it to you.

    If that doesn't work, there's likely a problem with your Firefox installation.
  • adamsmith
    edited April 10, 2013
    start here then:
    http://www.zotero.org/support/reporting_bugs#reporting_startup_errors
    nevermind - see Dan below.
  • dstillman
    edited April 10, 2013
    (No, my guess is that Natali just has 3.0 installed currently, so I think we can just focus on the installation problem for 4.0.)
  • dstillman
    If an emailed XPI also doesn't work, try the steps in the "Corrupt extension files" link on No Status Bar Icon.
  • NataliDee
    thanks... so what exactly should I do?
  • adamsmith
    1. Get a friend on another network to download the XPI and email it to you.

    2. If an emailed XPI also doesn't work, try the steps in the "Corrupt extension files" link on No Status Bar Icon http://www.zotero.org/support/kb/no_status_bar_icon .
  • NataliDee
    thanks..will do
  • NataliDee
    friends are saying "it doesn't work like that"...he said "It looks like a cloud platform, so it isn't directly downloaded to your pc but work virtually or online."

    the second option didn't work either
  • adamsmith
    your friend is wrong. He can obviously download the .xpi using right-click --> save link as... on the Zotero for Firefox link
    (you can tell your friend that comes from the person who wrote the software [i.e. Dan].)
  • NataliDee
    Thanks!

    He sent it to me and I downloaded it but when I tried to open it said "this add on could not be installed because it appears to be corrupt"
  • NataliDee
    is there anyway to just delete it from my firefox and try again?
  • NataliDee
    i saw the folder in the profiles area
  • adamsmith
    that likely won't make a difference (though you can de-install any add-on under tools --> add-ons.)

    What exactly did you do for the Corrupt extension files steps?
  • NataliDee
    from the Troubleshooting Information area i went under the Application Basics section, click on Show Folder. A window with your profile files will open.

    i didn't understand step 3 "At the top of the Firefox window, click on the Firefox button and then select Exit"

    then moved onto step 4 where I deleted "extensions.sqlite" the others were not listed in the folder.

    then i restarted
  • adamsmith
    step 3 means: Close Firefox before deleting those files - you shouldn't delete those files while Firefox is still running. Probably worth trying that again with that step.
  • NataliDee
    ok, what should i delete?

    The instructions say:
    extensions.sqlite
    extensions.sqlite-journal (if found)
    extensions.ini
    i only saw the first one and already deleted it
  • NataliDee
    i see two that simply say "extensions"
  • NataliDee
    and then there is the whole zotero file folder that i see there
  • NataliDee
    it's working now...looks like the problem was with my version of firefox

    thanks for your time!
  • cpfeifer
    I have the same issue, it say that the file is corrupt. I tried the manual installation of the add-on, i installed the newest version of firework, i reset firefox (which should reset extension.sqlite), and it just does not want to work... any suggestion of what i else i could try?
  • dstillman
    Have you tried having someone else email you the file and then dragging it in to Firefox? If that doesn't work either, and resetting Firefox also doesn't work, I'd guess that there's some security software on your system that's interfering.
  • cpfeifer
    Great thanks Dan! I switched off Avast antivirus and it worked... I am a happy user of Zotero again :-)
  • dbarto
    I was having the same problem. The download file said it was corrupt.
    I tried the about:config solution no luck.
    Testing on a Windows 10 system with firefox version 44.0.2

    It actually had to do with my computer's time and date not being right.
    Changing this, allowed for the download to install and works perfectly now.
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