Readerware and AOL/Compuserve

Some Readerware users are reporting corrupted downloads when using the AOL/Compuserve networks. There appears to be a problem with the AOL network and/or software. If you get a message about an invalid magic number when you try and launch the Readerware installer, your download has been corrupted.

This will happen with both the primary and secondary Readerware download sites. As these are hosted by two completely different ISPs, the problem is with AOL. A number of other software vendors are also reporting this problem.

Fortunately there is an easy workaround.

The solution is to avoid using the web browser that's built-in to AOL/Compuserve software. Instead, minimize AOL, open up Netscape or Internet Explorer from the desktop or Start menu, and download Readerware that way. It is best if you delete the original corrupted file first rather than trying to overwrite it.

If you have this problem, I would be very grateful if you could report this to AOL/Compuserve support. It is becoming a real problem for a lot of developers.

I apologize for any inconvenience.