General
What is the Akamai Download Manager and why do I have to use it?
To help you download large files with reduced chance of interruption, some downloads require the use of the Akamai Download Manager. You can easily pause, resume, and stop the download process. Use the Download Manager for efficient installations, time-saving features, and automatic restarting if the download process is interrupted.
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How do I install the Akamai Download Manager software?
The download manager installation automatically begins once you click the product name in the download list that has been configured to be hosted on Akamai.
Click on a product to download. A new browser page will open alerting you that the Akamai Download Manager is required if you have not previously installed it.
If you have not already installed the ActiveX control, an information box will appear in your Microsoft Internet Explorer browser prompting you to install the Akamai Download Manager add-on.
Click on the Information Bar and select "Install ActiveX Control…"
A dialog box will open to install the Download Manager software from Akamai Technologies, Inc. Choose Install. You may also get a user account control warning if you are using a Microsoft Vista or Windows 7 operating system.
After the Download Manager is installed, a Save As dialog box will open. Choose a location to save the download to, then select Save. Choosing the Desktop usually works as a consistent place to start.
If you just finished installing the Akamai Download Manager, you may need to go back to Subscriber Downloads and click the link again to initiate the download.
The Download Manager window opens to begin installing your product download.
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How do I start downloads using the Download Manager?
- Once you have installed the ActiveX control (which is based on the specific browser you are using), the Download Manager window opens to help you manage the download process. Whether you use the ActiveX control is based on what browser you are using. Click the link to start the download.
- If you have not already installed the ActiveX control, you will be prompted to install the software before downloading the product.
See the steps and screen-shots above if you need assistance installing the ActiveX control.
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Troubleshooting
What if Internet Explorer crashes when I try to download any file from Akamai?
Some users have experienced an Internet Explorer crash before the Akamai Download Manager appears. The dialog box may appear saying that "Internet Explorer has stopped working". This may happen to customers that have enabled proxy settings within Internet Explorer.
Workaround for this issue:
- Reopen Internet Explorer if it is closed
- Press the ALT key to display Menus if hidden by default. Select Tools > Internet Options
- Click the Connections tab, and then the LAN Settings button
- Unselect the Proxy server check-box if it is checked (temporarily if needed).
- Click the OK button to close all IE dialog boxes.
- Close the browser and reopen it to make sure changes take effect.
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What if my network/Internet connection terminates?
The Akamai Download Manager is designed to allow you to pause and resume a download that is in progress. If your Internet service provider (ISP) connection has been idle for too long while a download is loading however, your connection may automatically terminate. You may be able to request that your ISP disable the automatic termination of your connection. A loss of connection may also require that you re-authenticate as a subscriber, and may result in the need to start a download over again.
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What if I cannot install the Akamai Download Manager?
If the Download Manager cannot install the ActiveX control in your browser, you may have system restrictions. You will need to check with your Network Administrator or IT Help Desk to determine if system restrictions are in place that would impact your ability to install and use the Download Manager.
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Why do I get a Fatal Error message in the Akamai Download Manager?
A fatal error can occur when the file you are trying to access is not available at the specified URL, or if the download link has expired.
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Why do I get a Network Error when trying to download a file using the Download Manager?
Network Error messages such as those shown below are typically related to network proxy settings. You can view these settings in Microsoft Internet Explorer under Tools > Internet Options on the Connections Tab under LAN Settings. Your network may also utilize a firewall client that implements Proxy settings independently from the browser. You will likely need to contact your Network Administrator or IT Help Desk to determine what proxy settings you should use that will enable you to download files. Some corporate networks do not allow users to initiate file downloads based on security policy settings.
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I click the link to start a download, and it looks like nothing happens. What is going on?
One known issue is that the Akamai Download Manager or another dialog box associated with the download process is already open in the background. Minimize open program windows to see if you have a dialog box open in the background that is hidden under other windows, and close or utilize that existing dialog box.
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What else can I do if I have trouble downloading?
If you cannot complete a download, you may need to clear the cache in your browser. Follow these steps to clear your cache in Internet Explorer:
- On the Tools menu in Internet Explorer, click Internet Options and then click the General tab.
- In the Temporary Internet Files section, click Delete Files and then click the OK button if you would like to empty your entire cache of temporary Internet files.
- In the Temporary Internet Files section, click Settings. In the Settings dialog box, select Every visit to the page. Then set the size of the Temporary Internet Files folder to a size larger than your intended download. Next, click the View Files button.
- In the Temporary Internet Files window that opens, open the Edit menu and click Select All. Press DELETE. When you are asked if you would like to delete all the cookies you have selected, click Yes. Click the OK buttons until you return to the General tab.
- In the History section of the General tab, click Clear History and then click Yes. When you are asked if you would like to delete the history of the Web sites you have visited, click OK.
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