Can't extract tar file on Linux server

Question

In 7-zip file manager I created a tar file (with many subdirectories and files inside). I uploaded this file to the Debian server but can't extract:

tar -xvfz files.tar
gzip: stdin: not in gzip format
tar: Child returned status 1
tar: Error is not recoverable: exiting now

I also tried tar -xvf userpics.tar but then happends just nothing.

Any ideas how to extract this file?

mulaz · Accepted Answer · 2012-05-23 15:29:42Z

13

It is a tar file, not a .tar.gz

-z is for gzip

try:

tar xvf files.tar

answered May 23, 2012 at 15:29

mulaz

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I tried it but nothing happends. No error, nothing and the file stays as it is.
– user1406271
May 23, 2012 at 15:32
if you type "file files.tar" does it say it's a tar file?
– mulaz
May 23, 2012 at 15:33
files.tar: data
– user1406271
May 23, 2012 at 15:35
1

It is not a .tar file then. Try installing p7zip on your server and extracting the file with it. If it was a tar file it should say: files.tar: POSIX tar archive (GNU)
– mulaz
May 23, 2012 at 15:37
Strange. What is the reason it's not a tar file? I have done the same many times before (but uploading from a different computer) and it was working just fine.
– user1406271
May 23, 2012 at 15:39

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smottt · Accepted Answer · 2017-09-26 13:53:16Z

1

tar xvf files.tar

As it's not a gzip file, you don't need the z parameter.

smottt

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answered May 23, 2012 at 15:29

bandito

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gfountis · Accepted Answer · 2012-05-23 15:36:03Z

0

Chances are its not a tar file. Do sudo apt-get install p7zip instead.

answered May 23, 2012 at 15:36

gfountis

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3 Answers 3