h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Here's a conundrum perhaps someone can help me with.

I want to download MSN Messenger (don't ask me why, I have my reasons). The download page gives me a choice of a version for OS8 & 9 or a version for OSX.1.3.

I am running plain OSX.1.

But, I can dowload OSX.1.5. Except that it takes so long my internet connection terminates (as it does after two hours). When I reconnect the download manager tells me it was interrupted, and to resume from the same place I should click install. When I do, it starts not from the same place but from the beginning again, terminating after another two hours. This termination thing is to do with my ISP (British Telecom), and is not a fault but a quirk of their set up.

So, how can I circumvent the termination problem to download OSX.1.5 (is there a free disk I can send for from somewhere?) or where can I find a version of Messenger that will work on plain OSX.1?

Hoping someone can help for the sake of my phone bill,
spimcoot

Spimcoot, have you tried your local Apple Center/Centre? If it's available for free download, they probably have it too, at a modest price for the media...?

Oh, and you don't have a great deal to lose by trying the OSX 1.3 version... Either it won't work, in which case you install it again after you upgrade, or it will, and the only reason they specified that version was because that was what they happened to test it on...

It seems to me that you have several options:

a) Buy 10.2

b) Connect using uk2.net's local rate service which won't disconnect you but will cost you money - http://www.adial.co.uk

c) Download it from http://cgi.swproductions.co.uk/MacOSXUpdateCombo10.1.5.dmg.bin using a download manager that supports resume so it doesn't matter if you get disconnected
from the terminal issue wget -c http://cgi.swproductions.co.uk/MacOSXUpdateCombo10.1.5.dmg.bin

NB. You'll need the security update installed first http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75304 (only 888kb)

Don't you have OS9 installed as well?

Good advice from all, thank you.

Peet: I have already tried downloading Messenger, so yes, it's waiting for such a time as I manage to upgrade OS.

Archangel Silly Willy: think I'll try that download manager.

Amy the Ant: yes, I have OS9 but I'd rather not have to switch to Classic every time I use Messenger.

Update: this afternoon I downloaded AIM successfully. This could well bypass the problem entirely (provided I can persuade others to use it too).

Can I remove the upgrade from my server now then?

You could also replace both MSN Messenger and AIM with Fire http://fire.sourceforge.net/ which works with both services simultaneously.

But that doesn't solve the real problem. You ought to get those updates, they fix a lot of things. If you can afford 10.2, get it. It's worlds better than 10.1. Another option is if you have a friend with a high speed connection, get them to put it on CD for you. They don't even need a Mac, just download the .dmg file from the Apple support page onto a PC and burn the CD (they must choose the option to "close" the disc) and you will be able to open it on your Mac with no problem.

Hum. Tried the 10.1.5 download from the link. Come reconnection time the download manager told me it was waiting for data, a view it has stuck to ever since. Is there something I'm supposed to do to help it along? (I really am a duffer at this kind of thing.)

10.2 is £100 so no go there for the time being. Think I'll try fire in the interim d'Elaphant, if I can't get the current download to resume.

But thanks again for the help everyone; it has reminded me what a wonderful thing h2g2 is. So easy to take for granted that strangers are quickly going to come to one's aid, but it's quite amazing.

Seems to resume ok for me.

Seriously, using wget with the terminal might be the best idea.

spimcoot

What browser are you using.

Netscape/Mozilla and Camino both support 'resume download'. Also try Limewire to get what you want of a Peer to Peer network.

Links:

http://www.mozilla.org/ for Mozilla and Camino (formerly Chimera).
http://www.limewire.com/index.jsp/download. Download Basic from this page. It's free.

I use btinternet too and have been suffering the same problem. However I managed to get MS Office X in a weekend via Limewire. I have the surftime evenings and weekends package. I have also found that if you are trying to get a big download, keep the line active with other things now and then.

turvy

*supressed giggle*

--have you tried snail mail?

Terri

Update:

Sorry everyone, I have neglected you all horribly since seeking and receiving your advice: the reason? I have been spending many a waking moment (and several in my dreams) Instant Messaging with MSN. Amy the Ant, I have you to thank for this as I finally decided just to download the older version, which turns out to work on OSX without having to start Classic. Phew.

Archangel Silly Willy: yes, I was being a duffer about resume (rather thought I might be). I clicked on your second link and lo, the second half trickled in. But... there's always a but, I can't get the security upgrade to download without something nasty happening (a lot of chunks of black with white text break through the screen and I have to restart). As a result, the OS upgrade just sits there without an application to open it, so it says. I can live with X.1 for now; it's better than X.

Thank you all once more for your help; I really do appreciate it, as well as need it like the very dickens.

Oh, and Terri: I *have* tried snail mail. It's a wonderful way to show someone you care, though it lacks in 'other' areas.