Cannot install add-ons Installation Error -203

[drich]

When I try to install add-ons I get the error

Unexpected installation error
-203

Error console shows error in closeSafeFileOutputStream

What is going wrong?

[steviex]

Do you have the CA Firewall ??

Which Addons are you having problems with ? It could be the site.....

Read the following http://kb.mozillazine.org/Unable_to_ins ... _-_Firefox

[drich]

I have the ZoneAlarm firewall with antivirus (which I think might be CA). I have trouble with almost all add-ons. I de-installed 2.0.0.9 and reinstalled 2.0.0.0, but that isn't any better, so I suspect something on the system, a Windows Update or a Thunderbird DLL update. I wondered if anyone had similar problems and solved them.

Could it be a permissions issue? I will check for readonly, etc., but don't think there are any issues.

[Rod Whiteley]

Yes, it could be a permissions issue. The call to closeSafeFileOutputStream tries to delete and rewrite a file—for example, extensions.ini or extensions.cache in your profile.

[drich]

My current Java is 1.6.0_03

[steviex]

OK... Try deactivating the Firewall (Make sure you activate Windows Firewall)
Install the Addons you need.
Reactivate the Firewall (Making sure you have deactivated the Windows Firewall)

I think these Firewalls will just not let you download these files.

[drich]

I will try the firewall thing, I guess. This being Thunderbird, I have already downloaded the xpi files without problem. The error occurs when I click Install, select the XPI and click Install. I don't know if the xpi install causes a further download or not.

[drich]

Guess what!!!! Now this error is occurring in Firefox as well!!! Something has changed in the way Mozilla apps execute the installation code.

[drich]

Thanks steviex!! After much frustration and trying everything else I found, I tried switching off ZoneAlarm and on Windows Firewall. Success. I was able to reinstall all of the add-ons for Firefox and Thunderbird. Evidentally, ZoneAlarm Program Control must deny the writes or something. I was so frustrated that I almost dumped these programs, which I think are the best browser and email available, but am now a happy (and embarrassed) user thanks to you.

[steviex]

No worries... I had the CA firewall, which I think shares code with Zone Alarm. This was the only way that I could get Themes to download.... I just think the Firewall does not like jar or xpi files..... (Mainly because the Firewall can't distinguish Themes from 'real' java archives that also use the jar file extension. It seems to have a blind spot with xpi files too... Some content it just would not load !
Recently Firefox has tightened up security on jar files too. (And breaking a few things on the way !))

Happy to help.

[Guest]

I had the same problem
This did the trick (it is for firefox but applies to thunderbird too)
http://ffextensionguru.wordpress.com/20 ... 3-add-ons/