How To Open Downloaded Actions in Photoshop?

i'm having a little trouble opening actions i've recently downloaded onto Photoshop. I have two Photoshops (Elements 7 and CS3) and neither of them are opening up the actions. whenever i try to open the actions, the folder i have place the actions into appears blank as if its the wrong sort of file i'm looking for. i have no idea where to go from here.. I have searched around and nothing is helping at all. please help!! cheers.