Automatically overwriting file on download
rafaelinux
anywhere.
(searched this group too, 4 pages of results, no solutions)
I have a default download location (say D:\downloads\)
And I periodically download a newer version of some x file (say
asdf.dat)
I need that asdf.dat as it is, asdf.dat, not asdf(9).dat, etc.
And it's pretty much a pain to download the file, browse to the
directory, delete the old file, rename the new one, and then move it
to wherever I want it.
So.. where is the "automatically overwrite files with the same
filename" setting?
Is it in about:config?
How can I change this behaviour?
Jay Garcia
--- Original Message ---
I use Automatic Save Folder:
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/4781/
It will do what you want and a lot more.
--
*Jay Garcia - Netscape/Flock Champion*
www.ufaq.org
Netscape - Firefox - SeaMonkey - Flock - Thunderbird
Joe Brown
Doesn't the download advise you that the file already exist and ask do
you want to overwrite it? Or, am I not understanding the question?
rafaelinux
No, when downloading a file with the same filename as the one you have
on your HD/wherever you get a filename(1).ext file.. next time you
download you 'll get a filename(2).ext file, and so on.
rafaelinux
>https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/4781/
>It will do what you want and a lot more.
Ok, I'll try that one, it seems to let you define filters that let you
select which folder do you want to save a file to, depending on the
origin URL or the type of the file. But I don't see any "overwrite
older file" option anywhere..
Shisul
I get the feeling that what is happening here is not so much a Firefox
issue, but more of an Operating System issue. You can set how your OS
reacts to the overwriting of files by going into your OS's settings
area. Not knowing which one you are using I can't advise where to find
them, but this is an OS setting.
S.
goodwin
FWIW, I concur. This behavior appeared to me when I started using linux
couple years ago, not FF related at all. I've just learned to live with
it - its actually somewhat useful and easy to get used to. I've never
looked for a setting to change it, though its there somewhere, I'm sure.
Must be somewhere in windoze as well - I don't ever remember
addressing it way back when - sounds like an explorer setting...
rafaelinux
> couple years ago, not FF related at all. I've just learned to live with
> it - its actually somewhat useful and easy to get used to. I've never
> looked for a setting to change it, though its there somewhere, I'm sure.
> Must be somewhere in windoze as well - I don't ever remember
> addressing it way back when - sounds like an explorer setting...
Oh no, I think it isn't. Windows 7 x64 & WinXP 32bits over here, if
you choose the "always ask me where to save files to" option and
choose a file that already exists, the OS dialog asks you if you want
to overwrite the existing file, but if the "save files to" (not
asking) one is chosen, FX adds a suffix to the file. Try it, download
any file 2 times or more and see it for yourself, in ubuntu, solaris,
mac, or windows....
Jay Garcia
--- Original Message ---
Click on "Options" in the Automatic Save Folder extension. Then select
"Options" (tab).
Uncheck the first box "Show ....."
Check the second box "Automatically ....."
Check the next box "View options ....." From the drop down select
"Always show"
Check the next box "View file ....."
Uncheck "Use the current ....."
Check "Use the filters ....."
Check "Remove the timing delay ...."
When you choose a file to download, the save box appears where you can
choose where to save and also rename or keep the same filename.
rafaelinux
> choose where to save and also rename or keep the same filename.
Yeah, fine, but I don't really want to change it's name or where to
download it to. I want the normal behavior (not asking where to
download nor showing the file explorer and downloading to the set
directory). BUT overwriting any existing files with the same
filename.
Am I not being understood?
Ed Mullen
I understand you. The only way I can think of to do what you want is
with a macro that invokes the download and answers the prompts to
over-write the file (and perhaps other things depending on your situation).
--
Ed Mullen
http://edmullen.net/
A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel so good.
Jay Garcia
--- Original Message ---
Check one of the forums that discuss your particular OS and there may a
tweak/preference to change that may help.
Jay Garcia
--- Original Message ---
You ARE being understood and the point of suggesting the extension
should have been understood that it cannot be done natively in Firefox.
Terry R.
> I get the feeling that what is happening here is not so much a Firefox
> issue, but more of an Operating System issue. You can set how your OS
> reacts to the overwriting of files by going into your OS's settings
> area. Not knowing which one you are using I can't advise where to find
> them, but this is an OS setting.
>
> S.
At least on Windows, it isn't an OS issue. It's the app.
Terry R.
--
Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.
cwdjrxyz
> On 11/27/2010 3:33 PM On a whim, Shisul pounded out on the keyboard
>
> > I get the feeling that what is happening here is not so much a Firefox
> > issue, but more of an Operating System issue. You can set how your OS
> > reacts to the overwriting of files by going into your OS's settings
> > area. Not knowing which one you are using I can't advise where to find
> > them, but this is an OS setting.
>
There likely are many reasons why a file may not download as you wish
depending on various OS, browser, and even media player settings. I
ran into all sorts of problems attempting to download various media
files. Instead of downloading and storing a video to a HD file, the
file might automatically download to a temporary cache and start
streaming or start playing only after complete download. Worse, the
file would sometimes try to open on a media player that would not work
for it. With about 7 browsers and at least 6 media players, on two
computers running 64-bit Vista and XP 32-bit, correcting this problem
on all browsers, OSs, and players can be a very long undertaking. Of
course I can download using ftp from my own server and avoid such
problems, as when I backup server files to the computer. However when
someone else wants to download media files, there is no telling what
will happen, as I have no control over their computer settings. I got
around this for some HD video files, including Blu-ray ones, by using
a self-extracting zip file for download of videos to be saved to the
HD. This uses a special program to write the self-extracting zip. I
have an old GlobalScape zip program that does it, but I do not think
the program is still available - you likely can find others. The self-
extracting video file is a .exe file such as video.exe. After you
download it, you just double click. If you opted protect it, you will
have to enter a password. A dialog screen screen that comes up allows
you to select to store the unzipped file anywhere. When you select the
storage location, the file is automatically unzipped and stored at the
location you selected. You can then delete the downladed self-
extracting zip file, as it no longer is needed.
rafaelinux
> There likely are many reasons why a file may not download as you wish
> depending on various OS, browser, and even media player settings. I
> ran into all sorts of problems attempting to download various media
> files. Instead of downloading and storing a video to a HD file, the
Uhmm.. kind of unrelated.
Now, Jay García
"You ARE being understood and the point of suggesting the extension
should have been understood that it cannot be done natively in
Firefox. "
You're telling me that firefox can't overwrite a file. That's just
unbelievable. Look, when you update an add-on you're overwriting
files, when you update firefox you are overwriting files, come on, an
application that can't overwrite files. It's a native program we're
talking about, not some flash animation.. It has all kind of
permissions, you might as well overwrite my MBR or delete the whole
partition and you tell me that it can't overwrite a file
automatically... :\.
Well, whatever. Thanks.
cwdjrxyz
> On Nov 29, 4:40 pm, cwdjrxyz <spamtr...@cwdjr.info> wrote:
>
> > There likely are many reasons why a file may not download as you wish
> > depending on various OS, browser, and even media player settings. I
> > ran into all sorts of problems attempting to download various media
> > files. Instead of downloading and storing a video to a HD file, the
>
> Uhmm.. kind of unrelated.
>
whatever.exe self opening zip file allows you to select to overwrite a
file or not, at least for the program I have. It works on every
combination of OSs, browsers, and players I have ever tried.
Beauregard T. Shagnasty
> You're telling me that firefox can't overwrite a file. That's just
> unbelievable.
Firefox doesn't overwrite (or write) files; your operating system does.
Firefox only tells it that its user wants to save a file. The operating
system determines if the file is overwritable or not.
> Look, when you update an add-on you're overwriting files, when you
> update firefox you are overwriting files, come on, an application
> that can't overwrite files.
Applications don't decide about the ability to overwrite. Operating
systems do. Even for files within the Firefox profile.
> It's a native program we're talking about, not some flash animation..
> It has all kind of permissions, you might as well overwrite my MBR or
> delete the whole partition and you tell me that it can't overwrite a
> file automatically... :\.
If Firefox *were* able to be the decision-maker about what to overwrite
or not, then you can be assured you'll run into a nasty web site one day
which will overwrite your entire hard drive .. the MBR as you suggest.
--
-bts
-Four wheels carry the body; two wheels move the soul
Terry R.
the keyboard
> rafaelinux wrote:
>
>> You're telling me that firefox can't overwrite a file. That's just
>> unbelievable.
>
> Firefox doesn't overwrite (or write) files; your operating system does.
> Firefox only tells it that its user wants to save a file. The operating
> system determines if the file is overwritable or not.
>
Yes, and typically the OS prompts the user with "Replace file? OK /
Cancel". In Windows, this is the way it operates. I don't have any
other program that does what FF does when saving files.
>> Look, when you update an add-on you're overwriting files, when you
>> update firefox you are overwriting files, come on, an application
>> that can't overwrite files.
>
> Applications don't decide about the ability to overwrite. Operating
> systems do. Even for files within the Firefox profile.
Every app operates differently. Most use Explorer for file operations,
although for years many had their own file managers. In this case, FF
IS deciding how to save files.
Terry R.
> On Nov 29, 11:28 pm, rafaelinux<rfx...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> On Nov 29, 4:40 pm, cwdjrxyz<spamtr...@cwdjr.info> wrote:
>>
>>> There likely are many reasons why a file may not download as you wish
>>> depending on various OS, browser, and even media player settings. I
>>> ran into all sorts of problems attempting to download various media
>>> files. Instead of downloading and storing a video to a HD file, the
>> Uhmm.. kind of unrelated.
>>
> Of course the screen that comes up when you double click the
> whatever.exe self opening zip file allows you to select to overwrite a
> file or not, at least for the program I have. It works on every
> combination of OSs, browsers, and players I have ever tried.
>
While you think this is a good system for yourself, it is never
advisable to download and execute a file from unknown sources. For
personal use it's fine. Not for widespread use.
cwdjrxyz
> On 11/30/2010 2:14 AM On a whim, cwdjrxyz pounded out on the keyboard
>
> > On Nov 29, 11:28 pm, rafaelinux<rfx...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> On Nov 29, 4:40 pm, cwdjrxyz<spamtr...@cwdjr.info> wrote:
>
> >>> There likely are many reasons why a file may not download as you wish
> >>> depending on various OS, browser, and even media player settings. I
> >>> ran into all sorts of problems attempting to download various media
> >>> files. Instead of downloading and storing a video to a HD file, the
> >> Uhmm.. kind of unrelated.
>
> > Of course the screen that comes up when you double click the
> > whatever.exe self opening zip file allows you to select to overwrite a
> > file or not, at least for the program I have. It works on every
> > combination of OSs, browsers, and players I have ever tried.
>
> While you think this is a good system for yourself, it is never
> advisable to download and execute a file from unknown sources. For
> personal use it's fine. Not for widespread use.
Yes, I should have mentioned that one should be careful of the source
when you download any .exe file. Nearly everyone has heard that, but
some are forgetful and there is always a new generation of computer
users. For my own use, I just have to download files from my own
server using ftp to avoid problems such as media opening. I am using
the method I described for password protected Blu-ray and other HD
files which are at too high a bit rate to stream for most, if not all,
consumer isps and must be downloaded, usually as an iso image file. I
give the password to those who need to know, and these are usually
friends. I also have a throttle policy on the server, and limit the
number of sessions for any single computer that connects to huge HD
files. Actually the fear of many to unload an unknown .exe file helps
keep bandwidth down, and even short Blu-ray files made from personal
HD camcorder files can be huge.
I have learned from experience that some will hotlink one of my files
to their own site. The file that gets the most traffic on my site is a
picture frame gif with a transparent center that I seldom use anymore.
It is of small file size, so it has been no problem. However hot links
to HD video files could soon use a huge amount of bandwidth.