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Hi,
I have an issue when I am unzipping firmware updates from Reolink security cameras. When I unzip the file the OS outs a ._ at the start of the file name. When I take the said file to the NVR for updating, it sees the file but won't recognize it. When I unzip the file on a windows PC, I do not have this issue. Is there any way to turn this ._ thing off for select files.
MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013), Big Sur 11.6.5
Thanks
MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 11.6
Why not just rename the file which seems simple enough assuming the rest of the file name is correct and the file actually has been fully extracted?
You can try using 7zip to extract the contents of the .zip file instead. Just make sure to download the file using another browser, or you will need to uncheck the "Open safe files automatically" from the Safari preferences. Because it is extracting a .bin file, perhaps macOS is just adding the "._" to the file name, but there is no way to disable this from happening when using the Finder to extract the contents. I do find it unusual that the original file would not also be present in the folder.
Why not just rename the file which seems simple enough assuming the rest of the file name is correct and the file actually has been fully extracted?
You can try using 7zip to extract the contents of the .zip file instead. Just make sure to download the file using another browser, or you will need to uncheck the "Open safe files automatically" from the Safari preferences. Because it is extracting a .bin file, perhaps macOS is just adding the "._" to the file name, but there is no way to disable this from happening when using the Finder to extract the contents. I do find it unusual that the original file would not also be present in the folder.
I'd think this is a problem Reolink needs to address. It's their responsibility to make their product work with Apple's OS.
And, you can't natively use Windows files on a Mac. Are you sure you have the Mac version ... assuming there is one.
Hi, thanks for the reply. So you are saying there is no way to prevent the ._ prefix. I have contacted Reolink and was told this was the first they heard of the issue???? Only one version for firmware updates.
isslandboy wrote:
Hi, thanks for the reply. So you are saying there is no way to prevent the ._ prefix. I have contacted Reolink and was told this was the first they heard of the issue???? Only one version for firmware updates.
Download the file again ensuring it is the correct version for your Mac. Follow the update instructions provided Reolink.
There is no firmware update specially for Mac. Does this only happen with MacBook? Again I will ask, is there a way to set the file preferences so that there is no dot dash prefix, a simple yes or no will suffice.
I tried renaming the file, it doesn't work the ._ still seems to be placed in the file. The prefix doesn't seem to show up until I move it to the USB? I tried using Unzip for Mac, that didn't work either. It is a .pak file that is unzipping, not a .bin. The only file that is there is the one with the ._. If there is no way to prevent this from happening I will look for a different method (anyone want to buy a MacBook?). Thanks.
Is the .pak file even meant to be opened? Usually when you download firmware files from a manufacturer, they are in a .zip archive file. When you open that .zip archive file you will have the firmware update file and possibly a proprietary utility (usually Windows) to use to upload the firmware file to the device.
Have you read the instructions of the manufacturer on how to upgrade the firmware on those security cameras? Unless they provide a macOS app/utility or an OS independent method of uploading the firmware, then it may not be possible to do so from macOS. I believe some security cameras may allow using a web browser to connect & upload the firmware, others may allow you to upload the firmware file using a simple command line tool available with any OS.
We are working blind here because we have no idea what file(s) you have or how these cameras are meant to be updated.
FYI, just for fun I decided to check out the Reolink website and could not find any firmware downloads, but I did stumble across this Reolink article which includes a video on updating firmware for one of their devices. You do NOT unzip the .pak file, you unzip the ".zip" file which was downloaded. If you used Safari to download the file, then Safari/macOS automatically extracted the contents of the .zip file which was downloaded and left you with just the .zip file (perhaps other browsers have this option to automatically open downloaded files -- terrible option to have enabled IMHO).
Hi, the .pak file is what one gets when they unzip the file. I wasn't trying to unzip a .pak file.
Reolink has a separate site; https://reolink.com/download-center/
This is my procedure, download the firmware file for the Poe 810A, unzip the file, drag the unzipped file onto a USB, plug it into the NVR and select update IPC locally, pretty basic stuff.
This is the funny part, I went through the process just now so I could supply you with screenshots, and it did not add the dot dash prefix?? It recognized the file and allowed me to do an upgrade. I really don't know what to say, I did everything the same (there is really only 2 steps to get the file, download and unzip, hard to screw that up). I'm baffled as to why it worked this time? So I guess the problem is solved? Thanks for your time and input, it is much appreciated.
dot dash prefix on files
