.dmg files and disk image icons on desktop

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Kat2007 Author

Level 1

23 points

.dmg files and disk image icons on desktop

I have downloaded limewire (for my own personal use) and msn for mac. I am new to the Mac and would like to know why there are 2 icons on my desktop - both look like an ejectable disk. I have a feeling they shouldn't be there. My daughter has a macbook and she doesn't have them. Question 2 - how do I know what generation imac I have? It is brand new...aluminum and glass...it is sweet! I read something about looking at your system activity. I have 2 disk images running? diskimages-helpe...what are these. I saw when my programs were downloading that a disk image was being created. Is it safe to stop the activity of these disk images so they aren't using up memory?

imac 2.4ghz intel core 2 duo 2 gb ram 500gb hd, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Sep 7, 2007 5:21 AM

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Answer 1

Sep 7, 2007 5:49 AM in response to Kat2007

A .dmg file is a "Disk Image" file. Basically, it's a file that contains data just as it would be laid out on a disk. The computer can then open it up and treat it just as if a removable hard-disk has been inserted into the machine.

By default, Safari will "open" a disk image file when downloaded. When you "open" the disk image it does what UNIX calls "mounting the filesystem" contained in the file, that is to say, it takes the file snd sets it up just like you attached a disk to the system.

You'll have two icons, the disk image, and another for the "disk" contained on the image. You can eject the "disk" and you can trash the image (but it won't let you throw away the image file if the "disk" is mounted).

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Answer 2

Kat2007 Author

Level 1

23 points

Sep 7, 2007 6:11 AM in response to J D McIninch

sorry, but what do you mean by "if the disk is mounted"

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Answer 3

Dah•veed

Level 9

66,487 points

Sep 7, 2007 8:44 AM in response to Kat2007

Downloadable software comes in two formats; drag & drop or an installer. You want to install the software on your Mac, not run it from the disc image.
After the disc image has mounted or opened on your Mac if you see an icon for the software that you down loaded, you should drag & drop this icon into your Applications folder. Now the software is installed on your Mac and you can Eject the disc image and drag it to the Trash.
If you see an icon that looks like packing boxes, this is an installer. Open the installer and follow the directions to install the software on your Mac. When the installer finishes you can also Eject the disc image and drag it to the Trash.
Many Mac users create a Downloads folder on their Mac and have Safari download things to this folder instead of the Desktop. It makes things more tidy. If you want a Downloads folder in a Finder window go to your Home folder (the one with the House icon. In the File menu select New Folder. I renamed mine Downloads. You can even drag & drop this folder onto the Finder window sidebar, which makes it easier to navigate directly to this folder when you need it. Too use the Downloads folder you need to tell Safari that you want downloaded files placed in it, instead of on the Desktop. To do this go to Safari/Preferences/General and change the location to which Safari downloads.

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Answer 4

Kat2007 Author

Level 1

23 points

Sep 7, 2007 9:17 AM in response to Dah•veed

That's great info. I opened the disk icon and sure enough another box with the msn icon was in it. I dragged this to the applications folder and deleted the disk icon. It all worked fine. I find when I download, it doesn't ask me where to save the download, it just starts downloading and you see it in a little window that you can click clear (like a list that you can clear later). Do you just make a new folder and then move it later? An example is - I emailed myself some documents and when I opened them, they were automatically saved to my desktop and then I had to move them later.

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Answer 5

Kat2007 Author

Level 1

23 points

Sep 7, 2007 9:24 AM in response to Dah•veed

Sorry about my last post - I didn't read it all the way through before I replied...everything I needed was there. Thanks much 🙂

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