Downloaded mp3s look normal but won't play

[jukester]

This is a new problem. Been using Limewire for years and the downloaded mp3s always worked.

I can still download mp3s but, while they look like proper mp3 files in terms of the usual icon and the sizes showing as typical sizes, they will not play on any player, cannot be opened in a sound editor such as Sound Studio, nor be previewed from my hard drive. They do not show up in m iTunes (8.0.2) in the Limewire downloads and I cannot add then to my iTunes library.

I am using Mac OS 10.4.11 on a G4 733MHz PowerPC. I have 1.26 GB SDRAM.
I have 3.17G left on my start-up disk, 22G left on the disc I save downloads to.
Using a Primus (ISP) DSL connection at home through a Speedtouch Modem. Running Limewire 4.12.6 Java 1.5.0_16.

The test worked.

I am sharing what's in my downloads folder.

A firewall is detected. I recently changed my ISP from Sympatico to Primus. But I can still download the files, so surely that isn't the problem? Or can a firewall corrupt the files as they download?

I am not running any security software.

I live in Canada.

[Lord of the Rings]

Spammed files is my guess. See if you recognise the files in the following link, you should get to know these file sizes & auto naming techniques so you can learn to avoid them: Virus thread: Typical virus spam file sizes - Make a note of them (click on blue link to see).

BTW other altenative great Mac OSX audio programs: ToolPlayer (very simple but has a very broad range of formats to play .. yes I used to use SoundPlayer myself), Switch is also a good one. Alternate Audio Players & support plug-ins. In case you didn't know, VLC player can also play a very wide range of audio formats, despite it's main purpose is playing video or audio/video streaming.

(BTW you have same speed computer as the one I upgraded from back in February. I still use it on & off. It took me a while to get used to Intel as compared to Apple's previous makers of processors & computers; motorolla I think.)