hey i just downloaded the beta from fileshack and every time i try to extract the files a message pops up saying the archive is either an unknown format or damaged

Try using something like winrar, i had a problem with windows unzipping it, but i used winrar and had no problem.

winrar is what im using

uhhh so does anyone have an answer?

yes, same thing happened to me. The file during dl got corrupted somehow. you will have to redl the whole thing I hate to say. it was a dual 12 hour dl for me but the second time around it worked perfectly and I have been playing beta ever since gl :]