I'm using Chrome and trying to download Dropbox folders to my Mac (Monterey version OS 12.0.1 ) and getting an error message: ERROR 79 Inappropriate file type or format. It worked fine before updating my OS system. Please help.
I found a way around it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6--dQQ9U1fs
Unfortunately the problem happens with small zip files. I’m able to work around it by using Safari instead of chrome and go to finder tab to copy folders to lap top. But, this is frustrating since I was able to download Dropbox zip files before in chrome. Could it be the utility app?
Hi i am getting an error -79 on downloading multiple files (word docs) from dropbox to my new mac running Big Sur. It is an M1 Macbook Pro.
I am having the same problem. Monterey and error -79.
Latest chrome.
2020 MB Pro
Hi Meghan, since this is a thread of similar reports I will summarize.
Chrome and Safari
Monteray Mac OS
Macbook Pro Mx
A -79 error does not require a screenshot, it is a system file error.
You have a bug. Please pass to a developer.
Any update with this? Same issue with new M1 iMac running Monterey. Files work fine on all other computers (Big Sur).
I've got the same issue - someone please help. Small files, big files, all the same. I don't think it's exclusive to dropbox files though - this is happening even with a zip I made on this machine! Using Monterey... relatively new machine to me...
The workaround essentially shows that the -79 disk error is due to how dropbox is compiling the zip. They are hardcoding the original path to the files in the extraction. Which if you use dropbox to sync presents a conflict hence the error -79. The encoding for the zip shouldn't be included so the unzip should take place in the directory where the downloaded zip was located.
thank you! It works- kind of annoying when transferring a bunch of stuff. But much less than doing it on older laptop and moving it back over. Hoping Mac gets on this bug with an update!
wow, that's so helpful @lightfield - thanks for explaining.I actually tried using external storage too, but came across the same error... transferring one zip from a mac, to another mac, just using a usb storage stick... so I'm wondering if it's a Monterey thing too?
you'r welcome @caloring. Took me hours - using the old machine where the files were originally and several failed attempts at using various suggested ways with terminal before I found this (quite old) one that worked! 🙂
I don't think it is a Monteray thing since other sites I've downloaded as zip files don't have the problem. But you can check that out by downloading a zip file from anywhere else (I tested google drive, same browser etc) and that zip unzipped just fine and as expected. It created a folder with the 5 files I had downloaded. Hopefully, someone from Dropbox reads this, sends it to a developer who then can fix the path problem.
I also got it working by downloading the free "The Unarchiver App", which was able to extract it correctly.
To summarize the video, all you need to do is open Terminal and run:
unzip <filename>.zip
That works for me when the Finder unzip didn't.
This worked for me. I'm glad this was a pretty simple workaround.
Poor experience. It's not great I have to find a workaround to open a zip file with a 3rd party software. Terrible
this is insanity that you can't download and unzip a file from dropbox on a Mac. there shouldn't be a work around for this, there should be a fix, just like there should of been a apple silicon native dropbox app a year ago and not 2 years after it's been announced.
FIX THIS MADNESS!
this problem is not SOLVED! please do not let a terminal work around excuse dropbox from fixing this and making it work. I pay hundreds of dollars a year and have for years for a business account and having to use terminal every time I want to unzip something is INSANE
Apparently this only works with Safari. As of today, I get the same error as everyone else when I try to download using Chrome or Firefox. (Mac with Monterey)
Thankful for the workaround but this should not be considered a "solution" by Dropbox. FIX THIS! Mac OS Monterey v 12.2.1Chrome v 99.0.4844.84
But I don't use Mac.
I was downloading with the BRAVE browser and was using a VPN connection. I tried downloading with the SAFARI browser without the VPN and it worked.
