Why when I try to download a file does my download manager return a tiny web page instead?

When accessing certain servers, rather than reporting a connection error itself, your download manager transfers a web page, which when opened in your browser states the cause of the problem, much like an error log. If the file is labeled 404.html or 403.html it should be clear to you what went wrong, yet if the label isn't so helpful you can try opening the page in Notepad to see if it reveals any further clues.

Sometimes the file returned by your download manager is actually a redirect script used to protect the real location of a file to stop people hot linking it. The easiest workaround to this problem is to temporarily disable your download manager's browser integration system using the technique described in an earlier blog entry.