deleted python, need to restore

Question

deleted python, need to restore

i recently deleted python to try and install a different version due to compatibility issues with other software. this turned out to be a bad idea and i need to restore the version of python that came with 10.4. from other forums, it seems that the only way to do this is by restoring the OS. But, my dvd drive is also messed up because dvd drives on mac laptops ALWAYS mess up for me. i should get it replaced, but i use my coputer for work so this is difficult. i tried booting as a target disc and using my os install disc from another computer, but apparently this isn't allowed.

[fuming]

is there any reasonable way to restore python without having to reinstall the os or send my computer off to get a working dvd drive (that will probably fail again in a few months just like the others)?

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Aug 4, 2009 6:28 PM

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Answer 1

BDAqua

Level 10

239,111 points

Aug 4, 2009 7:22 PM in response to mattgilbertnet

Does the DVD drive not work whatsoever?

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Answer 2

Aug 4, 2009 7:34 PM in response to BDAqua

it pulls the DVD in and then very, very rarely recognizes it. Once or twice when I tried to use it it failed during playback. Definitely not something I want to attempt an OS restore with.

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Answer 3

BDAqua

Level 10

239,111 points

Aug 4, 2009 8:05 PM in response to mattgilbertnet

Might work fior a small piece though, Get Pacifist...

http://www.charlessoft.com/

then extract/install python from your Install Disk.

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Answer 4

Aug 4, 2009 8:11 PM in response to BDAqua

good idea! i'm having no luck with my dvd drive though. i wonder if i can get a disk image of the install disc, mount it, then try Pacifist. That's what I'll try next if can find or make a disc image.

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Answer 5

BDAqua

Level 10

239,111 points

Aug 4, 2009 8:27 PM in response to mattgilbertnet

Yes, very good idea, in fact I was just coming back to suggest try making a DMG! 🙂

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Answer 6

Aug 4, 2009 10:06 PM in response to BDAqua

Do you know which files I whould restore to get python back? I might be able to figure it out, but any help will be very appreciated.

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Answer 7

BDAqua

Level 10

239,111 points

Aug 4, 2009 10:44 PM in response to mattgilbertnet

I'd have to find my Install Disc!

But Pacifist is very friendly, just type in the Search box for python, once it finds the PKG, just install it! 🙂

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Answer 8

Aug 5, 2009 8:48 AM in response to BDAqua

Well, I used Pacifist to find and restore the files, but apparently Python still isn't there. In Terminal, "python" returns "command not found", and I'm unable to open a python macro in FontLab like I used to. Here are the files that I restored:

in Essentials.pkg
in /System/Library/Frameworks/
Python.framework folder
in BSD.pkg
in /usr/bin
python
python2.3
pythonw
pythonw2.3

So... curse words. Any other ideas?

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Answer 9

Glynn

Level 4

1,375 points

Aug 5, 2009 10:00 AM in response to mattgilbertnet

Just go to python and download the Mac OSX installer...

http://www.python.org/download/

they have versions 2.6.2 and 3.1

Cheers,
Glynn

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Answer 10

Aug 5, 2009 3:37 PM in response to Glynn

If I do that I get only the "Upgrade" option and then it apparently fails, saying "Please try installing again." I tried a few times.

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Answer 11

Aug 7, 2009 7:11 AM in response to mattgilbertnet

Apparently python is actually installed now, from the command line at least, but programs that use it, specifically FontLab and Blender, can't find it. FontLab says in it's properties window that Python is not installed and Blender doesn't launch at all. Trying to launch Blender from the command line showed that it's looking for version 2.3 (I just installed 2.5).

I think the solution is to change some system PATH variable(s), but I don't know how to do that. Tips?

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Answer 12

Aug 7, 2009 7:16 AM in response to mattgilbertnet

specifically, i just installed 2.5.4

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