Can't open zipped files

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Level 1

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Can't open zipped files

I can't open zipped files that have been sent to me. I have found the files I saved in Archive Utility and when I try to open them a dialogue box says the default app is BOMArchive Helper. If I click that something I cant read flashes on the screen but nothing opens. If I try to open with Word a dialogue asks what I want to open with giving options such as MS-DOS Text, RTF,HTML document etc. If I click on these a word document opens full of gooble de gook

iMac, Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Posted on Nov 16, 2009 9:55 AM

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Answer 1

K T

Level 7

23,889 points

Nov 16, 2009 10:02 AM in response to AK33

the default app is BOMArchive Helper

Is that the only choice?

See 'Archive Utility' or Stuffit or....?

To reset the default, select a zip file in the Finder and right/control click...then choose 'Get Info'
- 1/2 way down in that dialog you should see an option for 'Open with:' Use that to change the default and to apply to all similar type files.

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Answer 2

AK33 Author

Level 1

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Nov 16, 2009 10:15 AM in response to K T

Did that and set default to Microsoft Word but still get the dialogue box titled convert file then the document full of gobbledegook. I had the exact same thing when I tried to restore my address book from a Western digital external hard drive. Western digital said that was an operating system problem

Message was edited by: AK33

Message was edited by: AK33

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Answer 3

AK33 Author

Level 1

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Nov 16, 2009 10:27 AM in response to K T

Just seen something elsewhere that says I need to open it with something called Stuffit, which presumably I have to download

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Answer 4

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Nov 16, 2009 11:03 AM in response to AK33

Setting the default for zip files to MS Word is the wrong approach. Set .zip files to open with the Archive Utility.app, which resides in /HD/System/Library/CoreServices/. Alternatively, you can download Stuffit Expander 2110, which will also do the job.

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Answer 5

awado

Level 2

221 points

Nov 16, 2009 11:11 AM in response to AK33

I would recommend "The Unarchiver":
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/22774/the-unarchiver

I had several cases where the character encoding got lost and this utility gave me a choice to pick the right one. It's freeware an handles more archive types.

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Answer 6

AK33 Author

Level 1

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Nov 16, 2009 11:41 AM in response to baltwo

Archive Utility isn't were you said I'd find it. BOMArchiveHelper which was the original default, is there. I downloaded StuffIt but that didn't seem to work, but in the archive in Finder the zipped files now have the Stuffit symbol in front of the file name but still with the zip ending

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Answer 7

awado

Level 2

221 points

Nov 16, 2009 11:53 AM in response to AK33

The zip ending determines the file type. And as OS X tries to pair file types with their corresponding applications it displays that icon. You can always open them with almost any application of your choice. StuffIt has "claimed" to be the right application when you installed it.

I think the Archive Utility (10.6) is the successor of the BOMArchiveHelper (10.4) and therefore the same.

Message was edited by: awado

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Answer 8

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Nov 16, 2009 11:56 AM in response to AK33

Ah! Different situation. I just noticed that you're running Tiger and posted to the Snow Leopard forums. If you're running Tiger, then you might be right, but since I haven't used it for almost four years, all I can suggest is that you post to the appropriate forums: http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=177

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Answer 9

AK33 Author

Level 1

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Nov 16, 2009 11:57 PM in response to baltwo

OK didn't know I was in the wrong place. will try as you suggest

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Answer 10

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Nov 17, 2009 12:14 AM in response to AK33

Good luck then.

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