How do I check hash on Snow Leopard 10.6.4?

[Canadian Editor]

Sorry for the newbie question. I've scoured the forum for the last hour but can't seem to find the answer.

I've downloaded a file from a website and want to check the hash to make sure I've got a complete dmg file and that it's not corrupted. Can someone please tell me - IN GREAT DETAIL - how to check the hash? Is that the same as a checksum?

Any help would be great. Thanks!!!!

 

[ul1984]

from the command line (Terminal.app):

md5 <filename>

 

[Canadian Editor]

from the command line (Terminal.app):

md5 <filename>

Thanks ul1984!

Just a quick follow up. I went into Terminal, then typed "md5", and then dragged the dmg file into the space right after "md5". I got a rather long number.

1) Is this the hash number?
2) Is the hash number the same as md5?
3) Once done, do I have to "undo" anything (ie, erase the stuff I typed in)? Or can I just quit Terminal?

Thanks!!!

 

[Riverrun]

Compare the hash number from the site where you d/led the file to the number that you see in Terminal and if they match the integrity of the file you downloaded is ensured.

 

[BlueRevolution]

1. Yes.
2. MD5 is a kind of hash, the most commonly-used kind for verifying downloads. The site you're downloading from will probably mention what kind of hash it's using.
3. No.

 

[Canadian Editor]

Other kinds of hash checks

1. Yes.
2. MD5 is a kind of hash, the most commonly-used kind for verifying downloads. The site you're downloading from will probably mention what kind of hash it's using.
3. No.

Thanks so much Riverrun and BlueRevolution!

It looks like I have a problem. The numbers DON'T match . The site doesn't mention what kind of hash it is.

1) What other hash checks should I perform? I've read about "sha1" but still can't find anything on how to perform such a check after searching on the net for the last hour. Can someone tell me how? Please?

2) Are there are other kinds of hash checks I can do on an Apple computer? Please take pity on a newbie and tell me how.

Thanks everyone!