double-click on package files no longer works!

Question

Level 2

221 points

double-click on package files no longer works!

After installed this software called "pacifist" which allows you to look inside package files, I can no longer just double-click on them to install them. Now it runs this Pacifist thing each time, instead of running the package installer. What application is natively used on Mac OS X to install package files the way they were meant to be installed by the creator (i.e., what can I specify in "open with" to make this work correctly), and is there a way to fix this permanently? Thanks,

Mike

Posted on Oct 7, 2005 5:43 AM

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Answer 1

MonK7579

Level 2

260 points

Oct 7, 2005 9:17 AM in response to Michael Levin

Package files should open with "Installer" by default which is located in your utilities folder.

Just do a get info on a .pkg file and swithe the default program to Installer and then click the apply to all button.

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Answer 2

Michael Levin Author

Level 2

221 points

Oct 14, 2005 6:14 AM in response to MonK7579

Weird - I don't see "installer" in my utilities folder, and a search of my disk didn't turn it up either! But it used to work just fine (before I installed that Pacifist app). is that why it doesn't work anymore - my installer app got munged somehow? is it possible to download it from somewhere?

Mike

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Answer 3

Oct 14, 2005 9:47 AM in response to Michael Levin

Mike,

It's too late now, but you don't need Pacifist to see inside packages. Ctrl-click a package (same as right click on a multibutton mouse). One of the choices is "see package contents" -- it opens just like a folder.

Your experience is why I stay away from most third-party utilities. (Macjanitor is the exception, since I understand exactly what it does.) I also have a backup clone of the entire system so I can replace any file that might get destroyed.

There is some third-party utility that allows you to extract single items from an installer package (it might be Pacifist) that is frequently mentioned in the discussions. (Obviously I have never used it.)

While you are at it, extract Property List Editor from the developer package. Anyone who likes to look inside packages will also like to look inside .plist files.

Frank

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Answer 4

Michael Levin Author

Level 2

221 points

Oct 14, 2005 9:53 AM in response to Frank Henyey

Ah! Thanks for the info. I actually just solved my problem by finding and grabbing a copy of the installer app from another Panther machine in the lab. Where my copy went, I have no idea!

Mike

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