403 Forbidden when clicking my test download

Hi.
So... like I FINALLY got all the download parameters set up with a simple test MP3, download by redirect, even can have it 100% off the price with a coupon I created for testing purposes.
I can totally complete the order, and I even get an immediate download link (COOL!), but when I click on the link... I get a
403 - Forbidden
You don't have permission to access ...(myownsite)/pub/.hhzldnhgjjvqslhy/THX.mp3 on this server.

I am not understanding what I am doing wrong. I have CHMODded the pub/ to 777, and the download file is in the download folder. All looks hunky-dory... but except that!

I wanted to post here first before I try to contact my own host server.

Any ideas!??!
:lamo:

The real kicker is that through my searches in this forum, I have only found that when people turn OFF the download-by-redirect (eg-false), then things work. BUT I WANT the redirect! I don't want the streaming etc. :no:

k... so.. My server hoster is telling me to chmod my pub folder to 755, of which I did, and now something weird happens with the MP3... it streams directly to my player with no option to save. but I also still have the same problem of FORBIDDEN 403 error page if I try for a .rar file.
Getting weirder... my poor techie I have on chat from HostGator seems to not know whats wrong... but I am also sure he's kinda new. lol

so, now that I had to let my poor techie go since I had to leave the office, I am now still no further ahead.
I would really appreciate anyone that may have come across this problem and help me out with this...

I DO NOT want to stream, I need download-by-redirect. I haven't moved the downloads folder, nor the /pub folder. I have the appropriate chmods set.
It's looking like this community doesn't seem to know neither.

anyone????????

ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL, RIGHTY-------------------THEN!

Thanks... but no thanks... but it all was in my .htaccess file. I needed to add .rar to the allowed... and uncomment two other lines to force it to save instead of launching the application.

Thanx everyone for your HELP ahem (pats herself on her OWN back).:smartalec:

There is NOTHING in the book that talk about this, and DEFINITELY NOT in the tutorials for setting up downloads. :blink:

Thanx everyone for your HELP ahem (pats herself on her OWN back)

Well, this forum relies on people who can help out noticing your post and responding. You only opened it about 22 hrs ago and have been busy "bumping" it since then (which doesn't go down well).

Whether "Download by redirect" works totally depends on the server. If the server operates with PHP running as an Apache module with insecure folder permissions of 777 required for some folders then you can use it, but if the server is more secure and runs with folder permissions of 755 then "Download By Redirect" does not normally work (security prevents the "symlinks" being created on-the-fly in the 'pub' folder).

my poor techie I have on chat from HostGator seems to not know whats wrong

HostGator doesn't have "techies", at least not at Level 1 support. They have call centre staff who read and follow a crib sheet on the screen in front of them. If it's not on that crib sheet then they're lost.

Vger