I've just tried to download the Firefox extension Tab Mix Plus from cnet.com and this message (which I have never seen before) appeared just below the Tabs bar:

"Firefox prevented this site (www.download.com) from asking you to install software on your computer"

I tried several times with the same result, also after closing/re-starting Firefox.
I then downloaded another program from cnet.com, no problem.

I downloaded something from another site without problems.



~ beau

Can you click on the message and select OK to install?

Hi Steve ~
>> Can you click on the message and select OK to install? <<
Hmmm...there's no place to click on the message and get options...on the right side of the message there's an "Edit options" button, but clicking it has no effect, and ditto right-clicking the message itself.

Interestingly, after clicking "Download now", this page http://www.download.com/3001-11745_4-10699420.html comes up, with a "Download problems" link, and clicking that goes to http://www.download.com/3002-11745_4-10699...ml?tag=pdp_prob which in turn has a link "Try one of these alternate download sources: United States: software-files.download.com" which when clicked causes the "Firefox prevented this site (www.download.com) from asking you to install software on your computer" to appear again. Weird!

I've just downloaded a couple more files from Cnet's download.com, no problems, so it's only with the Tab Mix Plus that the problem appears.

Too bad, Cnet's editors claim Tab Mix Plus is maybe the best firefox extension ever, so I'm durned if I'll give up on this!

~ beau

As an alternative, instead of trying to run the program directly from the browser, download the file and run it locally.

Hi Jimholly ~
>> As an alternative, instead of trying to run the program directly from the browser, download the file and run it locally.<<

That's what I've been trying to do. (Also, I'm not even given the choice of running or downloading)

~ beau

I've placed a zipped version of the file on my FTP server. Perhaps you can get it from there. It's possible the file extension that it uses is being blocked by something on your system, so the zip file should get through OK. I'll send you a personal message with the link.

Got a PM from beau stating the file still wouldn't open when he tried running it. Here's the reply.....




That's an extension I haven't seen before. I didn't try executing the file on my system, as I don't have Firefox installed anyway. Upon checking it out at The File Source, I see it is a Mozilla/Firefox extension. Since your system isn't recognizing it, I would suspect that the Firefox installation has a problem. You may try right-clicking the file, selecting 'Open with' and then select Choose Program. Find Firefox in the list, click it, then check the 'Always use the selected program....' and then OK. If Firefox isn't in the list, then Browse to the program's executable.

Hey Jimholley, Happy New Year!
OK, that worked, opening the .xpi file with Firefox...then Firefox asked to install and the installation apparently worked (I only say apparently 'cause I haven't figured out how to use the extension yet, but so far so good)
Thanks again for yer help
~ beau