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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Opening .exe Files In Os X Tiger

jdemler - Nov 15, 2005 - 12:14 pm

I have downloaded some different application installers from various sites that have an .exe extension. (For example, some were DVD formatting apps). I am using Tiger. When I try to open them, I get an error message stating that the files "do not appear to be compressed or encoded." Since Stuffit Expander seems to like ".sit" files better, I tried changing the file extension (which worked) but then it opened up the same .exe file which is apparently unreadable. Supposedly the software I downloaded is compatible with OS X, but I just got this computer (I was still using a G3 imac using OS 9.1 until last month!), so I'm thinking maybe I don't have the correct settings on my G5 yet. Are there other installer programs that can launch these .exe files (can I "open with" another app), or am I just an idiot trying to run a Windows app that just isn't compatible? What should I look for when searching for downloads that are supposed to be compatible? Help!

Natobasso - Nov 15, 2005 - 12:20 pm

.EXE files aren't compatible with macs, they are a proprietary pc format called "self executing files", and you won't be able to use them on a mac because they have only one data directory fork as opposed to the required two for mac. (Just to get technical on you there!)

Any mac compatible software will be compressed as either a .sit, .dmg, or .hqx not .exe if they are compressed. Make sure when you download OS X software you get software with these extensions.

Here's a great site to help you get familiar with what os x downloads look like:
http://www.versiontracker.com/macosx/

And here:
http://www.apple.com/support/

Let me know if this helps. By the way, let me know what site were you trying to download from so I can look at it.
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*Nathaniel
Bass Guitar Player
Graphic Designer
Mac Network Admin, Jr. Level

jdemler - Nov 16, 2005 - 8:20 am

I think one of the sites was Doom9.org I purchased some DVD's in the UK that are PAL format (I can't play them in my DVD player), so I was trying to download DVD decrypter or a similar program that I could use to rip them, convert to NTSC, and then burn back to a DVD-R that will play in my DVD player. A lot of the online forums recommended DVD decrypter, but the site doesn't really mention system requirements in any obvious place.

Thanks for your help--I use a Windows PC at work, so I must have remembered successfully using .exe files there rather than at home. I have used Version Tracker in the past, and they're great, but this DVD decryption software that is compatible with PAL seems to be really hard to find, let alone a version that is mac compatible! I guess I'll keep looking. --Julie

Natobasso - Nov 16, 2005 - 11:40 am

Can you open the content in iMovie on your Mac? If so you might be able to just re-rip the content and burn that to a DVD. Let me know.

Here's a person with a similar question and there were some good answers, one was "Mac the Ripper" the other was "Popcorn":
http://ask.metafilter.com/mefi/17827

This article is pretty detailed and even mentions British DVD formats, etc.

Keep me posted.
--------
*Nathaniel
Bass Guitar Player
Graphic Designer
Mac Network Admin, Jr. Level