bzip2: (stdin) is not a bzip2 file. error
 

I've been trying to uncompress the file XpressConnect-x86.tar.bz2 using the tar command but I keep getting the following error.

I think it may be a problem with the file itself b/c it was provied by our wonderfully incompetent IT dep. I've also tried tar -xvf but that did not work either. I'll attach the file to this post if I can any help would be appreciated.

What is the output of the following command?
It could be either a badly created file or a badly formed file name. Or eventually it is the result of an erroneous download.

The output is:

[code]
richard@richard-K52Jr:~/Software$ file XpressConnect-x86.tar.bz2
XpressConnect-x86.tar.bz2: HTML document text
[\code]

Ok. It appears to be caused by an erroneous download (or even an erroneous upload on the server from which you downloaded it). Anyway, how did you get it? From a browser? Using wget? Try to download it again and/or share the link if it is public stuff so that we can test it.

let's see
using tar on a bzip2 file ?

and this bz2 file is a html text file ?
odd

what did you DL and save ?
the file or a html link ( web address ) to the file

however just using "tar" should have done it

or if you have a gui
double click the file and have your archive manager open it in the GUI
"file-roller" for Gnome
"ark" for KDE

I'm getting the file from here:

I tried using bzip2 to to extract:
If you can't get the file using the above url I also uploaded it here (my FTP server is down): <moderated - see below>

Well, if you open the HTML file with a text editor, you can see some reference to a password protection mechanism to download the file. In other words it is not a direct download you can easily resolve using wget, but it goes through a java script that manages authentication.

Since XpressConnect is not a free and open source software, I'm going to remove the links from your post. Your best bet is to contact the IT department to ask for clarification about how to get the software (that should be properly licensed).

On the other hand, please notice I asked to share the link if it was public stuff (see post #4 above).

Ok. Thanks for the help. The guys that set up the network for linux should be back on monday so I guess I'll have to wait till then. I tought that the xpress connect application was freeware, anyone can downlowd it here, should have double checked.

No problem. The only solution is to retrieve the correct file. Good luck! :)

Did you try with:

See man tar

x=extract
v=verbose
f=filename

z=gzip/gunzip
j=Bzip2/Bunzip2

:)

Edit: c=create

That's ok, agree with you, but this worked for me yesterday... I have downloaded the newest stable version of linux kernel and -xvf was enough to work with tar.bz2 file.

Look at the date on the original post - over 3 years ago.

That is right, but it is obvious that still there are visitors with the same problem.
Most of the posts are many years old, but the problems for many linux beginners are the same.
So, any experience plus is welcome for all of us. Moreover, pls read the answer given by the moderator.

if your problem is like the OP's
the op downloaded a html link to a file behind a javascript LOCK

wget can not be used. Firefox is needed ( or internet explorer) and you have to let the script run on your system and answer the captcha

so if you are saving html links as tar.bz2 archives
( you also CAN NOT do that in windows. windows can not open a html file as a tarbz


you really have a issue with ALL basics ( windows and Apple also )