stephaniefromarlington
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Help!  My jpeg files are turning into Unix Executable files!

I removed the hard drive of my old Mac G5 so I could recycle the computer, but save the files on the hard drive.  I hooked it up to a Universal Drive Adaptor and connected it to my Mac OS X.  I can view most things.  While looking at wonderful photos from many years ago, I did one simple thing:  some of them were sideways, so I simply rotated them.  Next thing I know, every jpeg that I rotated had been converted to a "Unix Executable File" and the photo is gone!  Where the thumbnail of the photo should be, there is only a gray tile.  When I click on the tile, I simply get this Unix Executable File text.  When I right click on the tile and then click on Get Info, a column appears that still shows the photo thumbnail.  Also, when I click on "Quick Look," I can see the photo, but it is not accessible.  I have taken a screen shot of all of these steps:

Screenshot 2015-05-09 14.35.04.png

I would be so very, very grateful if anyone can help me to A) convert the file back into a jpeg (or some similar file) and B) tell me how I can avoid letting this happen again.  I can easily imagine someone else at some point looking at these photos and wanting to rotate them right side up, only to end up in this same unhappy situation.

Thank you very much,

Steph

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on May 9, 2015 12:07 PM

by BDAqua,Solvedanswer
BDAqua BDAqua
Level 10 (123,745 points)
A:

Drag one of those files to the icon for your Graphocs App, I prefer GraphicConverter & detest iPhoto, but see if that opens that pic.

Posted on May 10, 2015 9:53 AM

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stephaniefromarlington

Q: Help!  My jpeg files are turning into Unix Executable files!

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  • by BDAqua,Solvedanswer

    BDAqua BDAqua May 10, 2015 9:53 AM in response to stephaniefromarlington
    Level 10 (123,745 points)
    May 10, 2015 9:53 AM in response to stephaniefromarlington

    Drag one of those files to the icon for your Graphocs App, I prefer GraphicConverter & detest iPhoto, but see if that opens that pic.

  • by stephaniefromarlington,

    stephaniefromarlington stephaniefromarlington May 10, 2015 7:16 AM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 10, 2015 7:16 AM in response to BDAqua

    Dear BDAqua, First of all, thank you so much for responding.  That alone made me feel a little less alone in my desperation! Secondly, forgive me for being such a computer novice, but could you please tell me what you mean by "Graphocs App?"  When I search my Applications, I don't find any graphics app.  I'll go ahead and download GraphicConverter, in any event, and try that and get back to you.  Again, thank you so much for responding! -Steph

  • by Jeff,Helpful

    Jeff Jeff May 10, 2015 9:53 AM in response to stephaniefromarlington
    Level 6 (11,559 points)
    May 10, 2015 9:53 AM in response to stephaniefromarlington

    For that photo file, if you look down the "Get Info" pane, the "Open with" ("Use this application to open all documents like this one.") is set to "Terminal."  Have you tried to change that by toggling to the graphics program that you routinely use to view and/or edit photo files?  GraphicConverter is a Mac-friendly photo program that has been around for many years.  Because of the familiarity with its user interface, some prefer it to iPhoto.

  • by stephaniefromarlington,

    stephaniefromarlington stephaniefromarlington May 10, 2015 9:55 AM in response to Jeff
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 10, 2015 9:55 AM in response to Jeff

    Dear BDAqua, YOU ARE MY HERO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I downloaded GraphicConverter and it worked beautifully!  I am so happy!  You have put me back on my feet again.  This is one of THE best Mother's Day gifts ever!!!!!  I just can't thank you enough. Heartfelt thanks, Steph

  • by stephaniefromarlington,

    stephaniefromarlington stephaniefromarlington May 10, 2015 9:56 AM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 10, 2015 9:56 AM in response to BDAqua

    Dear BDAqua, YOU ARE MY HERO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I downloaded GraphicConverter and it worked beautifully!  I am so happy!  You have put me back on my feet again.  This is one of THE best Mother's Day gifts ever!!!!!  I just can't thank you enough. Heartfelt thanks, Steph

  • by stephaniefromarlington,

    stephaniefromarlington stephaniefromarlington May 10, 2015 9:56 AM in response to Jeff
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 10, 2015 9:56 AM in response to Jeff

    Thanks, Jeff!  I'll look into that, too!

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua May 10, 2015 10:10 AM in response to stephaniefromarlington
    Level 10 (123,745 points)
    May 10, 2015 10:10 AM in response to stephaniefromarlington

    Great news, thanks & a very happy Mother's Day Steph!

     

    could you please tell me what you mean by "Graphocs App?

    OOPs, meant Graphics Apps, which would normally be the Apple included iPhoto, but I consider that a 3rd rate Graphic App.

     

    Jeff has the cure BTW, do a Get Info in the Finder, look for Open With, choose a Graphics App like GC or even iPhoto, then check the Change All button after unlocking the lock.