Folder turned into package

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Level 1

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Folder turned into package

A problem started all of a sudden with no warning. Some of my folders started turning into packages, now in order to access them I have to show contents. Regular folders with working files no apps, the worst one is my User folder with my name has turned into a package.

Can someone tell me how to turn a package back into a folder.

N E E D help A.S.A.P. please!!!

Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Posted on Jun 21, 2007 8:53 AM

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Answer 1

MGW

Level 7

27,063 points

Jun 21, 2007 9:16 AM in response to OSX user

Try resetting your PRAM and see if that helps.

Miriam

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Answer 2

OSX user Author

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Jun 21, 2007 10:58 AM in response to MGW

I have tried logging as a different user, same thing. I tried repairing permissions, repairing drive, zapping pram, optimizing, Tech Tool and even going into finder preferences.

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Answer 3

Jun 21, 2007 11:33 AM in response to OSX user

It could be that the bundle bit got reset on the affected folders. If you have Developer Tools installed you can use GetFileInfo command in Terminal to find out. Here's an example:

NoobiX:~ francine$ GetFileInfo /Users/francine/Desktop/screens/
directory: "/Users/francine/Desktop/screens/"
attributes: avBstClinmed
created: 02/17/2007 11:18:19
modified: 06/20/2007 14:10:06

The capital "B" in the attributes means the bundle bit is set so the Finder treats the folder as a package. To change it back you use the SetFile command (also installed with Developer Tools):

NoobiX:~ francine$ SetFile -a b /Users/francine/Desktop/screens/

For additional information see an article I wrote on the related invisible bit being set problem:

http://www.pinkmutant.com/articles/invisible.html

There's a link to download the two commands you need so you can use them without installing all of Developer tools.
Francine

Francine
Schwieder

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Answer 4

Jun 21, 2007 11:57 AM in response to Francine Schwieder

PS--Too late to edit, I should have added that you may need to relaunch the Finder or log out and back in for the changes to take effect.
Francine

Francine
Schwieder

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Answer 5

OSX user Author

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Jun 28, 2007 11:23 AM in response to OSX user

Your invisible solution helped for my invisible problem doing it the apple script way. Would you have a similar solution doing it the apple script way? I tried to it through the Terminal but I couldn't wrap my head around it!

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Answer 6

Jun 28, 2007 12:36 PM in response to OSX user

Afraid not, but then I'm not very good with Applescript. As far as I could tell there wasn't an Applescript property for bundle bits. You might check in the Applescript forum:

http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=724

The only way I could figure uses the Terminal. Do you have the Developer Tools installed? Or did you download the two commands?
Francine

Francine
Schwieder

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