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Can't install applications on Mac OS X

A

amadeus05

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 6, 2008
5
0
I was recently given a g4 from my school. I am trying to install a program that was compressed and carries an .sit extension. I tried installing betterZip, Stuffit, etc. For some reason, after installing, the applicaitons will not open. I dragged them to the app. folder, which sort of seemed pointless, and tried again. I restarted the computer and to no avail. The icons are there, but nothing happens when I click on them. I am so confused...and frustrated! Could there be some sort of administration option that prevents me from installing new software, even though I am logged on as the administrator? If so, how do I unlock it?

I am new to Macintosh, so forgive my ignorance. Could someone please help me? :confused:
 
Right, nothing happens at all. The icon flashes for a moment, then nothing.

The application with the .sit extension is Finale '08, but betterZip and whatnot won't open to let me extract the files needed for installation.
 
First off, you don't need any third-party software to decompress a zip file in OSX. This service is built in. Second, when you decompress, what files result? A disk image? A folder? An installer?
 
amadeus05 said:
Right, nothing happens at all. The icon flashes for a moment, then nothing.

The application with the .sit extension is Finale '08, but betterZip and whatnot won't open to let me extract the files needed for installation.
Click to expand...

.sit is a compression for Stuffit.

Just download and install The Unarchiver and it should be decompressed.
 
Okay, so I tried installing The Uninstaller. That didn't work. The program won't even install and I get some error message like:

Unable to Archive "The Unarchiver1.6.1.zip" into "Volumes/Untitles"
Error 45 - Operation not supported.
 
amadeus05 said:
Okay, so I tried installing The Uninstaller. That didn't work. The program won't even install and I get some error message like:

Unable to Archive "The Unarchiver1.6.1.zip" into "Volumes/Untitles"
Error 45 - Operation not supported.
Click to expand...
You are totally confused. This is probably your biggest problem. Relax.

Which model Mac are you running--a PowerMac G4, a PowerBook G4, or an iMac G4?
Which version of MacOS X are you running?
I forget which version of MacOS X made unzipping standard, but it may not be on your version.
If you have Stuffit Expander, then use it to decompress your .zip and .sit files. If you don't have it, then download and and install it.
 
Okay....

I have an iMac G4, with OS X version 10.3.9

I can't install stuffit expander, or betterZip, or iArchiver, or The Unarchiver. I tried installing them several times but I keep getting error messages. It's as if the computer won't let me install anything at all.

I appreciate your continued help!:)
 
You know...

Not to be an ass, but is this a LEGAL program? If it was downloaded, files can become corrupt, legal or not.
 
I have discovered the problem, I think. The version of OS X I am running is a little too old for the software I was installing. I can't believe I overlooked that. :eek:

I downloaded a slightly older version of stuffit, and things are working fine for the time being. Perhaps I should consider updating the OS, too.

Yes, it's legal (to answer the last question).

Again, thanks for all the help guys! :)
 
The Intel and Universal versions of the current apps tend not to always play nice with the older OS versions.

They tend to be OS 10.4.9 or later apps.
 
If zips aren't opening in 10.3.9, look in /System/Library/CoreServices for BOMArchiveHelper.app. If it's missing, you'll lose the ability to decompress zips without outside help.
 
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