Downloads won't open

I have been getting "empty" downloads of compressed files when I try to download to my iMac (Intel Core 2 Duo) running OS X 10.4.11.

The "Downloads" window will show the download process very briefly, then go completely blank. When I try to open the download, it doesn't work--there's nothing there.

This happens with compressed attachments sent to me via e-mail as well:
I get a blank icon on the Desktop, where my downloads are sent.
If I double-click on the blank icon it will produce a new, separate "CPGZ" icon, but if I double-click THAT, nothing opens and it creates another "CPGZ" icon, etc. etc. to infinity.

When I right click any icon of a download and go to "Open With" it shows the default is "BOMArchiveHelper" which is no help at all.

(I'm also having trouble getting web pages to print directly-- I have to save to a PDF or TIFF or JPEG and print from that. Perhaps this is related?)

TyPod said:

What type of files are being downloaded? Is there a chance they are only windows compatible files?

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Thanks for replying. I can't tell if they're Windows files or no, since I can't open them. I have had no problem opening attachments such as PDF or photos, etc. that are sent from Windows PCs, so I doubt that's the problem.

The problem is opening anything that is in a "CPGZ" format. Or, more to the point, receiving a "CPGZ" encoded document at all, other than being able to produce the icon by opening the "Blank" icon that appears on my desktop after initial "download." I put download in quotations because I doubt anything has actually been downloaded. When I open the CPGZ icon, it simply creates another icon, etc. etc. to infinity and beyond.

TyPod said:

I found this thread from a while back that should help you out.

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TyPod

THAT thread addresses the exact issue I am having. Thanks. It would've taken me forever to find it. Now I just have to find one of the recommendations on the thread that works for me.

TyPod said:

I found this thread from a while back that should help you out.

Click to expand...

Typod,

Just an update of my last post on that thread:

djnippa said:

I HAVE A SOLUTION:-
The problem is NOT with the file itself but with Stuffit Expander, and the version you are using to unstuffit.

The way to open your .ZIP, .RAR files, is to re-install an older version of Stuffit.

I have 15.0 installed at the moment. I re-installed 10.0.2 it still didn't open, I then re-installed 8.0.2 and it worked. Job done.

Obviously some files had been compressed using the older version.

I downloaded the older Stuffit from:-
http://www.stuffit.com/mac-stuffit-download.html

Hope it works for you.

Click to expand...

OK, I did that. Now when I use the Stuffit Expander I get a FOLDER named "slsx folder". Inside the folder among other folders, is a document called [Content_Types].xml. This is identified in "Get Info" as an "Omni Outliner" document that naturally won't open.

What's the SIMPLE solution to this, other than just throwing away the computer, which is most tempting.

It is only the most basic function in the world for a networked computer to be able to download and open attachments!

WHAT IS UP WITH THIS? It smells like someone is trying to sell something.