Can't open compressed files

sgoaty · 3 Feb 2024 at 13:07

My parents have a Dell all one PC i7 10510U 8GB RAM windows 10

It refuses to open compressed files I've tried to open the same folder on a different computer ( from the same drive) and without any issues. I've tried using different programmes (7zip) but the computer just refuses.

I know 8GB is a bit of limitation but it should still work shouldn't it?

The compressed file is 75GB but it's got multiple folders within it.

Can anyone offer any ideas to help?
Thanks
Scott

Orcvader · 3 Feb 2024 at 13:30

That's a huge file. When trying to open the file, is it on the internal storage or an external USB/drive? If internal, how much free space is on it?

Philtor · 3 Feb 2024 at 13:31

When you say it just refuses, what exactly happens and is an error message generated? Do other zip files open ok on this PC or is it just this one?

You have ruled out an issue with the zip file itself at this stage and the software to extract it so I would be looking at the above.

nade · 3 Feb 2024 at 13:54

If you have 7zip still installed, you could try testing from a command line to ensure the compressed file isn't corrupt.

If the app folder is in %path% you can run this, or just change to 7zip install folder:
7z t example.zip
Only thing I would suggest is trying to see if you have any luck extracting it from the command line if the test works ok. To do that it would be:
7z x example.zip

sgoaty · 3 Feb 2024 at 14:21

It just gets a timer icon then refuses to respond unless I end explorer or restart the PC.

The file is on a 1TB hard drive with around 300GB free space I have also moved the file to an internal SSD with plenty of space and tried to open it from there.

There's no issue with the file itself because it opens fine from the same HDD on a different system.

Mujja · 3 Feb 2024 at 14:41

Check CPU, RAM and disk usage in task manager. Is 7 Zip working or idle?

On the PC where the file extracts, zipntye contents in to smaller files and move across.

As @Philtor asked, do smaller files extract?

maj · 3 Feb 2024 at 15:02

You could try with powershell

sgoaty · 3 Feb 2024 at 15:06

CPU usage around 20% RAM 80% disc around 30%

Mujja · 3 Feb 2024 at 15:11

sgoaty said:
CPU usage around 20% RAM 80% disc around 30%

Is the app you're using to extract one of the top resource consumers? If it is then it's working and you need to be patient.

Philtor · 3 Feb 2024 at 18:55

Yup, especially with a 75GB zip archive

CuriousTomCat · 3 Feb 2024 at 20:42

Does the Dell open much smaller compressed files okay? It's just that we went from files (plural) in the title to just one 75Gb file.

sgoaty · 4 Feb 2024 at 19:25

It won't open any compressed files. The other system opens the 75GB folder immediately

sgoaty · 4 Feb 2024 at 19:26

Mujja said:
Is the app you're using to extract one of the top resource consumers? If it is then it's working and you need to be patient

No it's not unfortunately

Mcnumpty2323 · 4 Feb 2024 at 19:58

Compressed files?
As in it won't open any type?
Zip and rar?

Could try admin cmd
dism.exe /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

Then
sfc /scannow

If that fails
Uninstall the 7zip and/or other compression software
See if windows can do it

Still no joy
make a new user account
See if it works on there

Ps
sorry text went weird when I copied dism command
And not feeling too good
Can't get my brain to sort the text

edit
Never mind last bit I fixed it

CaNsA · 4 Feb 2024 at 20:28

I'll put my money on free space on the drive.

8gb ram, huge page file and a 2 x 75gb minimum soon eats up that free 300gb.

7zip extracts to a temp folder.

Once extraction is complete it hands it over to windows to copy it to a desto folder.

If the desto can't take all that data it will churn and hang.

sgoaty · 4 Feb 2024 at 20:31

I moved it to a different drive and also when I opened it up on the other system I did it straight from the HDD.

I'll try the suggestions next time I'm round at my parents. Thanks very much for the advice so far gents!