The best fix I found (and I tried ALL OF THEM) is to use gcf-scape (http://nemesis.thewavelength.net/index.php?p=26) to extract the files the installer chokes on from a windows install then manually rename(if necessary) and move them into place & set perms. I didnt have to delete any .blob files or use any secondary logins using this method. It seems to be a problem with steam-*ux and should be addressed!
Mine choked on these files in this order):
Prior to 4/6/05 update
cs_office.bsp
sheep.wav
after 4/6/05 update
woodframe_courtyard_n.vvd <-(needed to rename windows file woodframe_courtyard_N.vvd to woodframe_courtyard_n.vvd)
rumble_rain.wav
water_splash3.wav

This post was last modified: 04-07-2005 12:21 AM by creepah-420.

ncompress is required to run the hldsupdatetool.bin. From that you get the steam executable. Most linux systems have ncompress installed already, but some don't. This has nothing to do with this error however.

The problem is the content server is corrupt in some way. Either in the data is has, or in the process files are handed out. The reason deleting the blob files *sometimes* works is the content server the steam binary chose to use on first run is stored in there. When the ClientRegistry.blob file is removed the steam binary starts all over and chooses whatever content server it thinks best suites you, which may be different than the one giving you these bad files.

-verify_all will not work because the issue is with the content server.

ripping the files with gfscape or getting them from another server already updated would temporarily solve the problem too.

Now here's what you want to do. . . .
Run this:

This will output a page and a half of info. Copy that info along with the line showing what file the compression failure occured on and email alfred@valvesoftware.com directly with this info.

Note: Alfreds email is publicly available, but don't be silly and just start sending him questions. This information however I know he will want to see. I had the same problem and he pulled the offending content server offline.

This post was last modified: 04-20-2005 02:57 AM by m0gely.

hi there

my solution was:

rm InstallRecord.blob
./steam -command update -game "hl2mp" -dir . -verify

i tried it a couple of times and finnaly somehow it worked.

this error made me already nuts befor i found this forum


update: WTF? stopped the install over night and now it cant go on or even start a new one, this is so frustrating

This post was last modified: 11-18-2005 08:48 PM by DarkComet.

Downloading: /home/reveal/hlds_l/\cstrike\maps\de_piranesi.bsp
Compression Failure

I've tried all the replies of how to fix it.

I run gentoo kernel 2.6-14

I run the following that produces that error

./steam -command update -game "Counter-Strike Source" -dir /home/reveal/hlds_l/ -verify -retry