Sir Lancelot Fidelis

Q: my macbook pro retina display won't download big files

I have had this issue happen to me twice before involving 1gig zipped files or unzipped files appearing to be finished in the download bar. It shows for example 309.5 out of 309.5, the loading bar doesn't disappear. I try to click on it and it tells me "this fils is still downloading". So I look for it in my downloads folder, click on open package contents, I look for the file and click on it that way, it gives me the option to unarchive the zip folder, I do that then it gives me an error message saying "Files are not completed". (I give it hours upon hours to "finish loading" and then try again)

 

So...this was recently. The first file I had wanted to download was the Adobe Creative Design Premium (I waited half a day until the next day for this download before clicking on it again) directly given to me from the downloads section of adobe.com. I needed to reinstall the software due to some unknown error (YOSEMITE MOST LIKELY) anyways...I start the download, it finishes--but not really. Something happens. So I try it on Chrome, same issue. So then I try it on a PC--Done. No hassle.

 

So far I have not seen this issue arise with anyone else.

 

The zip file in question is .7z file and 335.9 MB and the creative design premium was a .dmg and 3.76 GB. I am running Safari on a

 

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013)

Yosemite 10.10.1

 

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on Dec 18, 2015 9:15 PM

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Q: my macbook pro retina display won't download big files

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  • Helpful answers

  • by MrHoffman,

    MrHoffman MrHoffman Dec 20, 2015 8:32 AM in response to Sir Lancelot Fidelis
    Level 6 (15,637 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 20, 2015 8:32 AM in response to Sir Lancelot Fidelis

    Boot into Safe Mode, probably also SMC and PRAM resets, then reboot normally.   See if the problem clears.


    If there are any anti-virus or anti-malware tools installed, any performance enhancements, any cache cleaners, any system optimizers or any other such add-on tools, remove all of those per the package-specific instructions.   Try the download again.


    Try the download on a different network.   If this is a business or office network, then there can be filters and monitors in place that can cause issues with downloads.


    If all of that fails, post up the output of Etrecheck, and we'll have a look at the configuration and at what's installed.



  • by jeremy_v,Helpful

    jeremy_v jeremy_v Dec 20, 2015 8:49 PM in response to Sir Lancelot Fidelis
    Community Specialists
    Dec 20, 2015 8:49 PM in response to Sir Lancelot Fidelis

    Hi Sir Lancelot Fidelis,

     

    Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities!

     

    From your post, I understand that file downloads never seem to complete even though, as per your example, the download shows 309.5 of 309.5 downloaded. You have completed some great initial troubleshooting as well by testing using multiple browsers and even on a PC, but regardless of browser on your Mac, the issue continues. 

     

    I know this situation is very frustrating, but we are here to help! To begin troubleshooting, the first step I would suggest is starting in safe mode. Safe mode will perform several tasks, which are outlined below, and could possibly help to resolve this situation. Once in safe mode, attempt the download to test the outcome. 

     

    Starting up in safe mode

    Follow these steps to start up into safe mode.

    1. Start or restart your Mac. 
    2. Immediately after you hear the startup sound, press and hold the Shift key.
    3. Release the Shift key when you see the Apple logo appear on the screen.

    After the Apple logo appears, it might take longer than usual to reach the login screen or your desktop. This is because your Mac performs a directory check of your startup disk as part of safe mode.

    To leave safe mode, restart your computer without pressing any keys during startup.

    If you don't hear a startup chime after pressing the power key, see what to do if your Mac won't turn on.

     

    Try safe mode if your Mac doesn't finish starting up - Apple Support

     

    If an issue doesn't happen in safe mode

    If an issue doesn't happen when your Mac is started in safe mode, try restarting again without pressing any keys at startup. If the issue appears to be resolved when you start up normally, it was possibly caused by a cache or a directory issue with your startup disk that safe mode fixed.

    If you restart your Mac normally and an issue comes back when you reach your desktop, try disabling any login items that automatically open when you log in.

     

    If the issue continues in safe mode restart your Mac as described above, from the same initial article, and log back in to your main user account. Once there, I would suggest creating a new test user account on your computer to help us isolate whether this is a user specific issue or a system wide issue. Instructions for creating a new user account can be found in the next article. 

     

    How to test an issue in another user account on your Mac - Apple Support

     

    Best!

  • by Sir Lancelot Fidelis,

    Sir Lancelot Fidelis Sir Lancelot Fidelis Dec 20, 2015 8:57 PM in response to jeremy_v
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 20, 2015 8:57 PM in response to jeremy_v

    After i use safe boot now my wifi cannot download that file, the speed of my wifi continuosly reducing even though when i check using my wifi speed tester it says 1.5 mpbs. It decrease until 24 Kb/s. and i've tried to use another macbook which have the same os as me (new macbook) and it has the same problem.

  • by MrHoffman,

    MrHoffman MrHoffman Dec 21, 2015 5:29 AM in response to Sir Lancelot Fidelis
    Level 6 (15,637 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 21, 2015 5:29 AM in response to Sir Lancelot Fidelis

    If Safe Mode does not show this, then you can try an external boot of another disk with OS X installed on that, and see if that shows the issue.   Also try a boot with a wired connection to the Internet. 

     

    If Safe Mode shows the issue, then it's either a low-level problem with your OS X install, or it's a hardware or networking problem with the Wi-Fi, with Wi-Fi interference, or with the Mac hardware.

     

    Please also post the output of Etrecheck — that's a way to get a configuration and diagnostic report on the system.  There are many examples of those reports posted around the forum, if you want to see what that looks like before using it,

     

    Make sure you have a current backup of your data, as one of the causes of flaky behavior and slowdowns is a failing disk drive.