How often are ISOs corrupted?

Automaton · 12-31-2005, 12:43 PM

Hi all, this is my first post here, and I'll make it quick... I just downloaded the first 4 debian sarge CDs. However, I've been running integrity tests, and atleast 2 of them aren't all there... So, how often does this happen and is there a way to fix the ISO without having to download the whole damn thing again? Why does it happen anyway, I thought line noise was mostly extinct in broadband?

homey · 12-31-2005, 12:48 PM

Hadn't happened to me for the last couple of years that I recall. Then, I got a bad load ( all 61MB ) of the puppy last night.

I would just download fresh and if it's still a problem, try a different site.

BinJajer · 12-31-2005, 12:52 PM

Depends. I get loads of corrupted isos when I download them the normal way. However, with download managers...

Automaton · 12-31-2005, 12:55 PM

Oh, so is it better to use BitTorrent? Because I couldn't seem to seed the second ISO onwards, so I just downloaded straight... could I just use something like the download manager plugin for firefox?

BinJajer · 12-31-2005, 12:58 PM

You can. For bittorrent you need a separate app, though.

sundialsvcs · 12-31-2005, 01:28 PM

It probably shouldn't happen, but sometimes it does happen.

Always check the ISOs against, at minimum, the md5sum that the files are supposed to have.

A stronger test would use gpg.

J.W. · 12-31-2005, 02:42 PM

If you frequently encounter corruption when downloading large files, there's a chance that noise on the line could be the problem. I'm assuming you are using DSL, and if so, the problem could be with a bad filter (I'm referring to the small plastic adaptor that you connect your phone line to) My sister was having a similar problem, and a new filter eliminated the issue. Obviously this isn't a sure cure, but I think it'w worth looking into. Good luck with it

stress_junkie · 01-01-2006, 09:20 AM

I always like to ensure that the MD5 checksum is valid. After all if someone wanted to create a bogus ISO file they would include a matching MD5 checksum number on their own site to validate it. So, when I download large files I go to a different mirror and get the MD5 checksum. I just thought I'd add this suggestion for the truly paranoid such as myself.

saikee · 01-01-2006, 10:05 AM

Think I have burn about 200 CDs abd DVDs.

My statistics is roughly between 4 to 6 daft Disks in a 100. I use 1Gb board band.

I only bother to do MD5 sum checks on DVDs and on CDs come in a set.

Sepero · 01-01-2006, 11:06 AM

Always use Bittorrent any time I can, and you should too.
Firstly, and most importantly, instead of just leeching, you are giving back too. Secondly, bittorrent does automatic md5 checking for you. That way, if a part is corrupted, bittorrent redownloads that corrupt part for you (and not the whole CD).