Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums

aabbcc · 11-06-2008, 06:38 PM

Dear computer-savvy friends,

I was sent a .exe file with a program that I need to install on my computer for work. I cannot get the thing to open and install.

The instructions that came with the file said to click run when given the choice of save or run. Okay, easy enough [or so I thought].

When attempting to download on Internet Explorer, I do get the choice of save or run. I clicked run and it appeared that something was starting to happen, and then there was nothing. And there doesn't seem to be a new file on my computer anywhere.

When attempting to download on Firefox, all you can do is save. I did that and got an icon on my desktop. Checking my new temporary files shows that there is something saved to the desktop. However, when you try to open the file, nothing happens.

How do I get this darn file to open so that I can install the program? I have been fiddling with it for two days now and nothing. I've asked around and nothing. I am so frustrated I could scream. Opening a file shouldn't be this difficult!

I am running Windows XP, if that's any help.

If someone could offer any assistance, I would be ever so grateful.

Niki · 11-06-2008, 06:56 PM

If it is an exe file, and it appears to do nothing when opening it, it might be some kind of trojan, adware thing. You should run a full virus scan, a full spyware scan( with Lavasoft Adware or smth) and a full registry scann with Ccleaner or something like that.

aabbcc · 11-06-2008, 07:01 PM

The file is clean. It has been scanned for viruses and malware.

Niki · 11-06-2008, 07:32 PM

Are you sure it needs to be installed? Maybe it's a console application, try to run it from the commandline.

aabbcc · 11-06-2008, 10:17 PM

Yes, it does need to be installed. The instructions clearly state that I have to download and install the application.

*sigh*

mark7 · 11-06-2008, 11:11 PM

whats the program called you are trying to instal ?

i take it you have been given a program, or downloaded it, and you also have an executable file.

drag and drop the .exe file into the same folder as the program, then run it

aabbcc · 11-06-2008, 11:30 PM

The problem I am having is that I need to open this file to get to the application that I need to install.

I have been reading online that many people experience problems with .exe files, especially when using Firefox, which doesn't leave me feeling very encouraged. However, I've tried downloading this file on IE and nothing seems to happen. At least with Firefox, I get the desktop icon.

I checked processes in the task manager and nothing is showing. I checked my program files and there is nothing there either.

I need a computer genie.

mark7 · 11-07-2008, 09:16 AM

you need to get into the executable file ?????
alls this is basically is a run command connected to a filepath, the acttual program will not be found in this file, this is part of a group of files that go to making up a runable program, such as setup.exe, .dll .ocx shell.exe
would be alot easier if i knew what prog you were trying to open lol,

also the reason you get a desktop icon in FF, is because the default download location is "desktop" unless changed in preferences

aabbcc · 11-07-2008, 01:12 PM

I was finally able to get the application installed. The problem, as it turns out, was an older version of JDK on my computer. When I got rid of that, the file ran perfectly.

Thanks for all your help. I appreciate it.

11-06-2008, 06:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
aabbcc Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: with the others in my head Posts: 293	Need help with a .exe file Dear computer-savvy friends, I was sent a .exe file with a program that I need to install on my computer for work. I cannot get the thing to open and install. The instructions that came with the file said to click run when given the choice of save or run. Okay, easy enough [or so I thought]. When attempting to download on Internet Explorer, I do get the choice of save or run. I clicked run and it appeared that something was starting to happen, and then there was nothing. And there doesn't seem to be a new file on my computer anywhere. When attempting to download on Firefox, all you can do is save. I did that and got an icon on my desktop. Checking my new temporary files shows that there is something saved to the desktop. However, when you try to open the file, nothing happens. How do I get this darn file to open so that I can install the program? I have been fiddling with it for two days now and nothing. I've asked around and nothing. I am so frustrated I could scream. Opening a file shouldn't be this difficult! I am running Windows XP, if that's any help. If someone could offer any assistance, I would be ever so grateful.

11-06-2008, 11:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
mark7 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cheshire, England Posts: 130	whats the program called you are trying to instal ? i take it you have been given a program, or downloaded it, and you also have an executable file. drag and drop the .exe file into the same folder as the program, then run it Last edited by mark7; 11-06-2008 at 11:14 PM.

11-07-2008, 09:16 AM	#8 (permalink)
mark7 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cheshire, England Posts: 130	you need to get into the executable file ????? alls this is basically is a run command connected to a filepath, the acttual program will not be found in this file, this is part of a group of files that go to making up a runable program, such as setup.exe, .dll .ocx shell.exe would be alot easier if i knew what prog you were trying to open lol, also the reason you get a desktop icon in FF, is because the default download location is "desktop" unless changed in preferences Last edited by mark7; 11-07-2008 at 09:18 AM.

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11-06-2008, 06:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
Niki Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 565	If it is an exe file, and it appears to do nothing when opening it, it might be some kind of trojan, adware thing. You should run a full virus scan, a full spyware scan( with Lavasoft Adware or smth) and a full registry scann with Ccleaner or something like that.

11-06-2008, 07:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
aabbcc Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: with the others in my head Posts: 293	The file is clean. It has been scanned for viruses and malware.

11-06-2008, 07:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
Niki Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 565	Are you sure it needs to be installed? Maybe it's a console application, try to run it from the commandline.

11-06-2008, 10:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
aabbcc Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: with the others in my head Posts: 293	Yes, it does need to be installed. The instructions clearly state that I have to download and install the application. sigh

11-06-2008, 11:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
aabbcc Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: with the others in my head Posts: 293	The problem I am having is that I need to open this file to get to the application that I need to install. I have been reading online that many people experience problems with .exe files, especially when using Firefox, which doesn't leave me feeling very encouraged. However, I've tried downloading this file on IE and nothing seems to happen. At least with Firefox, I get the desktop icon. I checked processes in the task manager and nothing is showing. I checked my program files and there is nothing there either. I need a computer genie.

11-07-2008, 01:12 PM	#9 (permalink)
aabbcc Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: with the others in my head Posts: 293	I was finally able to get the application installed. The problem, as it turns out, was an older version of JDK on my computer. When I got rid of that, the file ran perfectly. Thanks for all your help. I appreciate it.

Personal Development for Smart PeopleTM Forums

Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums