++ [ originally posted by -S-
] ++
Learn 
Binary means "two" or "base two." The binary system is a number representation using just 0 and 1

All data in the computer is stored in binary code as 1's and 0's (bits). Any file format for digital data encoded as a sequence of bits is binary.
Anything that you can view with a text editing program should be transfered in ascii mode. Binary files, such as gif or jpeg images, zip files, executables, etc should be transferred in binary mode.
..but really I don't think this is your computer's fault..:undecide:
-S-