Error Message: Internet Explorer Could Not Download...

ID: Q183506

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

When you try to download a file from the Internet, you may receive the following error message:

Internet Explorer could not download <filename> from <Internet site>. The downloaded file is not available. This could be due to your Security or Language Settings or because the server was unable to retrieve the requested file.


CAUSE

This issue can occur if the Index.dat file in the Temporary Internet Files folder or the Cookies folder has been marked with the Read Only attribute, or the Temporary Internet Files folder is too full.


RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, use the following steps:

  1. Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files Or Folders.


  2. In the Named box, type index.dat.


  3. In the Look In box, type the following text, and then click Find Now:

    c:\windows\temporary internet files;c:\windows\cookies


  4. Right-click the Index.dat file located in the Windows\Temporary Internet Files folder, and then click Properties.


  5. Click the Read Only check box to clear it, and then click OK.


  6. Right-click the Index.dat file located in the Cookies folder, and then click Properties.

    NOTE: If cookies are disabled, this file may not be present in the Cookies folder and you should skip to step 8.


  7. Click the Read Only check box to clear it, and then click OK.


  8. Close the Find tool, and then restart your computer.


  9. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Internet.


  10. Click Delete Files, and then click OK.



MORE INFORMATION

The Index.dat file may be marked as Read Only during an upgrade or when you install another program. The Index.dat file is a cache file used by Internet Explorer. For additional information about cache files, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

ARTICLE-ID: Q178702
TITLE : Description of the Mm256.dat and Mm2048.dat Files

For more information about this issue, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
ARTICLE-ID: Q181228
TITLE : Download of File from IIS 4.0 Fails on IE 4.01 Client

When you download a file, Internet Explorer assigns the downloaded file a unique identification number and then searches the Index.dat file for that identification number. If the downloaded file's identification number is found, the contents of the file are stored locally on your computer's hard disk and Internet Explorer uses the locally stored content instead of downloading the information from the Internet. If the downloaded file's identification number is not found, the contents of the file must be downloaded from the Internet, and the Index.dat file is updated with the file's identification number. If the Index.dat file has the Read Only attribute, the file cannot be updated.

Additional query words: 4.00 


Keywords          : kbenv kberrmsg msiew95 win98 
Version           : WINDOWS:4.0,4.01
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: February 2, 1999