Application installation issues

[Varjak]

I'm trying to set up a Mac Mini (2010, 2.66 ghz, Snow Leopard) as a HTPC. I've had this Mac in a box for some time and just got around to setting it up (I did register it when I first got it NOS). I had no problems installing Firefox; but somehow I messed up installing VLC Media Player. I'm sure I did something wrong; but now I can't seem to undo it.

During the installation procedure, I must have messed up dragging the icon to the Apps Folder. I thought I did it right (as I did with Firefox); but the icon never appeared in Apps and I can only run it from the disk image. I deleted everything but can't seem to reinstall it properly to get to the step where I can drag the icon to the Apps Folder. It tells me the file(s) cannot be copied. I do get a VLC icon in Apps that's a white circle with a line through it over pages; but I can't open VLC with that because it tells me files are missing or damaged. I can still open VLC via the disk image; but I don't want to do it that way.

Can someone help? Thanks.

 

[DeltaMac]

The app icon with a line through it, means that is either not compatible with your system, or is an incomplete copy. Drag that app to the trash, and empty the trash.
Download the app again, from the VLC site. http://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-macosx.html
Option-drag the app from the disk image folder to your Applications folder (or your desktop, or some other location of your choice. Applications would be my choice, but it would work fine from other places as well.)
The Option-drag copy assures that the app actually copies out of the original folder, as the copy process sometimes results in a file alias - not the best for you!
Once you get a good icon with the copied app, you should be able to trash the disk image...

Be cautious about adding apps, as Snow Leopard is getting quite old now, and many apps are no longer offered in versions supported by SL.

 

[Varjak]

The app icon with a line through it, means that is either not compatible with your system, or is an incomplete copy. Drag that app to the trash, and empty the trash.
Download the app again, from the VLC site. http://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-macosx.html
Option-drag the app from the disk image folder to your Applications folder (or your desktop, or some other location of your choice. Applications would be my choice, but it would work fine from other places as well.)
The Option-drag copy assures that the app actually copies out of the original folder, as the copy process sometimes results in a file alias - not the best for you!
Once you get a good icon with the copied app, you should be able to trash the disk image...

Be cautious about adding apps, as Snow Leopard is getting quite old now, and many apps are no longer offered in versions supported by SL.

Thanks. I did try to reinstall it; but did not do the option-drag thing. When you say that, do you mean option-drag it to the Apps Folder on the Dock, or should I do it to the Finder Apps Folder? Now, when I click on the disk image, I get a little window with 4 items: the cone icon, 'goodies,' a .txt file, and something else. You mean option-drag the cone icon from that folder, right?

 

[DeltaMac]

The 'cone' is the actual VLC app (and the only important item, AFAIK) If you want the other items, I would suggest that you make a VLC folder in your Applications folder, then drag that whole set into that folder. Your choice on that, but that's how I work with VLC.

I don't ever copy new items to folders on the Dock. I'm sure it will work, but I don't do that - just old habit.
And, you will notice that copying to the actual Applications folder, those items will then also appear in the Applications folder in the Dock - it's a free bonus!

 

[Varjak]

Just to be clear, I should open the Applications folder from the Finder and then option-click-drag the VLC icon to that folder and not the Applications folder on the dock for best results? That makes some sense. Maybe dragging to the Apps folder on the Dock started all the issues. I'll give it a try.

 

[Varjak]

I tried this but it still won't let me copy the icon over. I option-click-dragged the icon over and the error message says that it couldn't be completed because some information could not be copied or written. This is the problem I've had since the beginning, and I've re-installed it several times.

 

[DeltaMac]

I should have asked if you got any errors when you tried the copy.
Thanks for telling, as that will take the fix in a different direction.
Might be a permissions error, so run Repair Permissions in Disk Utility.
Restart your Mac after the Repair Permissions completes.
Try the copy operation before launching any other apps.

If that doesn't help - download and install the 10.6.8 combined updater - from here: https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

I also recommend that you check that you have all system software updates installed - run Software Update again, after you have installed the combined updater, just to make sure about that.

 

[Varjak]

Thanks DeltaMac. I'll give those steps a try.

One quick clarification: by 'restart,' is that the same as just shutting down (which I've been doing) and re-starting, or is there something else, like a sign-in or something I should be doing?

2nd edit: I've read up a bit on this and according to this:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201560

It seems like only Apple-originated installations leave files affected by this (and it specifically mentions .dmg installs). I'll do it anyway; but it's a bit confusing.

 

[DeltaMac]

...
One quick clarification: by 'restart,' is that the same as just shutting down (which I've been doing) and re-starting, or is there something else, like a sign-in or something I should be doing?

...

I just meant a simple restart, but if you want to 'shutdown, so power goes completely off, then reboot', that's OK, your choice.

 

[Varjak]

The first part (permissions repair) did not work. Why is this so problematic? I don't understand why a failed install would cause so much trouble. This was a 'clean' Mac with nothing but the OS on it. I installed Firefox (it went fine) and then VLC, which did not. And a couple of video files just to test VLC. VLC will play them from the disk image; but will not install to applications.

I will try the other things (the updater and the software check for updates); but can't fathom why this this is so problematic.

 

[DeltaMac]

There's really no reason that you have to put VLC in the Applications folder. You COULD simply put it whereever you like. I have a few odd browsers and video players in a folder on the desktop.

With the strange response from your Finder - I would likely just reinstall OS X. You have Snow Leopard, so it's a simple task to boot to your installer DVD, and let it reinstall. This install does not erase ANY of your stuff, it is similar to a repair install of Windows, as your goal is to make sure that all the internals of the system software are properly installed, and in the correct locations. Run the Software Updater, which will update a few items. That may take care of your issues.

 

[Varjak]

What strange response from Finder? I guess I could do that (reinstall); but now I'm concerned why this is such an issue. If I bring the computer into the Genius Bar, would they work on it?

As for VLC, I can't put it anywhere. I can only run it from the .dmg. The real problem I think is with VLC and the installation procedure. It will no longer give me the 'script' as it did the first time, where it prompts me to move the icon to Applications.

 

[DeltaMac]

The Finder handles a normal file copy, and you are using the Finder to copy the VLC app, to wherever you want to put it.
If the copy fails with an error (which is what it is doing), even after downloading the same VLC app from the original site, then I suspect that there is some weirdness in the Finder.
(And, that's the strange response that I was talking about...)
Reinstalling OS X is a good choice for a fix of your problem.

Be sure to remove the corrupted copies of VLC, the failed attempts. Put those in the trash, and empty the trash.
Reinstall your OS X. That's going to be a repair install, as it doesn't remove OTHER items that you might have added to your system, or your own pictures, videos, etc.
After the reinstall, run your Software Update, until no updates are found.
Re-download the current version of VLC, and try to copy with that
Also, there is no 'script' for the VLC install, but there is a Read Me.rtf - which does tell you to
"drag the VLC application from the resulting (disk image) window to the place where you want to install it. Most often this is the directory Applications on your main harddrive"

 

[Varjak]

Update:

I finally had a chance to take it to the Genius Bar at my local Apple Store. It took 3 people; but after some updates including revising the ALC permissions (I'd already 'repaired permissions') and a few other tweaks, they fixed it for me.