"Download Complete" except where is it??

[wolfsgurl]

I wasn't really sure where to post this, so I decided here works--

I started having this problem a few weeks ago, I'm not sure if there was a specific event that might have made it start... if there was anything, I don't remember.  I use a Dell XPS 13, with Windows Vista.

Basically, when I try to download anything at all-- it appears to download but I can't access the file, it simply does not exist on my computer. I've searched, done system-wide searches for a file I made, emailed to myself, deleted, and then tried to download from the attachment- nothing. These things I've downloaded show up in the Recent Items menu in the start menu, but if I click them there, I get a popup that says that Windows is searching for the file. They don't show up in the recent downloads folder.

This problem happens when I download from the internet, and it doesn't seem to matter what file type, or browser, or anything. It's the same whether is a link on a website or an attachment in an email. I've tried word documents, pictures, .wav files, a Dr. Scheme file (thats when I first noticed it)... in both Internet Explorer and Firefox. I've saved them to different locations- my desktop and specific folders, and they download, but then they're just not there. I can open a word document from an email attachment and then save, but I can't save to a location during the download itself with out the file subsequently disappearing from my hard drive before I can even open it. The only thing that has worked is if I download a file through Skype or AIM, etc, it downloads no problem. I can also transfer from a flashdrive with no issue.

I go to a specialized math and science high school, so I have legitimately computer geeky friends- they're stumped as well, and even my computer science teacher has never seen this before. One friend thinks it has to do with an internet setting not accepting any files, but doesn't know how I would fix it or anything.

Can anyone help me?? It's really inconvenient as I often need to receive files sent out by class partners or teachers.

[BC_Programmer]

what happens when you right click a download in firefox and select "Open Containing Folder"?

[wolfsgurl]

It's completely grayed out, nothing happens if I click that or "open".

[BC_Programmer]

It's completely grayed out, nothing happens if I click that or "open".

Even immediately after downloading  the file?

Only possibilities I can think of at the moment would be either malware or a over-zealous Anti-virus.

[wolfsgurl]

Yup, even immediately after. As far as I can tell, it downloads properly, then everything deletes instantly.

I doubt its antivirus- I've had the computer for a while and I don't think I changed anything with that that would cause it to change its settings.    Thanks for your help though.

[2x3i5x]

I'd like to know if you tried downloading a file when in safe mode, what would happen? You'd need to boot to safemode with networking to get your internet working in safe mode.

[wolfsgurl]

Hmm. I have a lot of work to do tonight, but I'll try later perhaps. Although now I'm curious, so perhaps I'll go try now.

[wolfsgurl]

It still didn't work. **sigh** 

[Allan]

Check the size of the Temporary Internet Files Folder (make sure it hasn't somehow been set too small - make it 200 mb for now)
Delete all Temporary Internet Folder Files
Delete the index.dat file (use ccleaner if needed)
Reboot and try again with IE. You said you are trying to save it to a known location, correct? If you still can't find it, look in the Temporary Internet Files folder and see if it's there.

[wolfsgurl]

I'm not sure what index.dat is? but I cleared me temporary internet files and set it up to 200 (it was on 50), and it didnt help.

Yes, I'm saving to known locations, and no, they've never shown up in the temp files... sadly.

The temp files function... I can open a word doc, etc, directly from an email attachment. Its just when I try to save a file to a location on my hard drive that it fails. I swear its like it successfully downloads then deletes itself.

[rthompson80819]

Something I've done in the past is to create a folder like "wolfsgurl temp" under C:\ and download all files to there.

Since I've started using Firefox, downloads haven't been a problem.

[wolfsgurl]

i wish it was something as simple as the browser i'm using. its everything... and its stumping everyone i know lol

[Allan]

What version of Windows are you using?

[Sn3akyP3t3]

Only possibilities I can think of at the moment would be either malware or a over-zealous Anti-virus.

Maybe related to a deleted or incorrect environmental variable?  Maybe not...it is possible though.

Anyway, I read into another post with a similar experience that identified the problem between the Antivirus and UAC.
http://www.vistax64.com/vista-general/6555-downloaded-files-disappear-actually-never-appear.html

Another post over at techrepublic had users with success by removing AVG and either reinstalling a new version or using another Antivirus.
http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=101&threadID=223733&start=0&tag=content;leftCol
Stemming from the same post over at techrepublic the solution was to remove AVG
http://forums.techguy.org/all-other-software/707618-downloads-disappear.html