Thank you haukex.

you couldn't even get File::BOM installed in the first place?

Correct.

File::BOM isn't mentioned anywhere in the WWW::Mechanize source or the dependency tree. So overall I have to doubt whether simply installing (or trying to install) File::BOM would cause WWW::Mechanize to stop downloading files...

Couldn't them both depend on the same module, that was damaged by File::BOM and so affecting the functionality of WWW::Mechanize ?

So I would suggest you debug the two problems separately: Why can't you get new modules installed, and why did your WWW::Mechanize stop working.

I suppose it is possible I have lost the ability to install new modules from cpan some time ago without noticing, as I don't do so often, but I'm sure about this completely new problem with WWW::Mechanize having something to do with the attempt to download/install File::BOM, the timing is just too perfect, and I have done nothing else that might have such an affect on WWW::Mechanize.

you can just switch CPAN clients - give App::cpanminus a try, cpanm should already come with Strawberry Perl.

I have no idea what CPAN clients are, but I'll read about it.
I'm assuming it doesn't require a functioning CPAN to be downloaded/installed.

Have you tried setting up a small script (Short, Self-Contained, Correct Example) that just downloads one file, to see if it still works in general?

Please see the above UPDATE that includes such an experiment.
All files/page url-ed there does in fact exist.

Thank you.

In reply to Re^2: SOS: Ability to GET got BOMed by palkia
in thread SOS: Ability to GET got BOMed (resolved) by palkia

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