Python 3.3.5 installation failed: no software found to install

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Level 1

5 points

Python 3.3.5 installation failed: no software found to install

I would like to install Python 3.3 for a project. I am unable to install either 3.3.5 64-bit or 32-bit version; I get the message installation failed because there was no software found to install. See image below

I already have Python 3.4 and 3.5 installed, but they were installed before I was forced to upgrade to El Capitan last month when the support people REFUSED to help me with a hardware problem (the wifi hardware was bad) until I upgraded. I don't know if this is related to El Capitan or not.

I turned off the security that will only allow installation from the app store, but of course that didn't make any difference.

Is there any hope?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.4), 13-inch, 16 Gb

Posted on May 12, 2016 8:53 PM

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Answer 1

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

May 12, 2016 8:58 PM in response to PurpleDiane

Have you considered MacPorts as an option?

You can disable SIP (About System Integrity Protection on your Mac - Apple Support) using and retrying your installation. Remember to enable SIP after the installation completes.

1. Boot into Local Recovery (Command+R).

2. Start Utilities -> Terminal.

3. Type csrutil disable in Terminal and press Enter/Return.

4. Type csrutil status.

5. Boot normally, and type csrutil status to confirm that all individual entries are still disabled.

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Answer 2

etresoft

Level 9

56,326 points

May 12, 2016 9:39 PM in response to PurpleDiane

Hello PurpleDiane,

The first thing you need to do is go back to System Preferences > Security and change that setting back to the default. Set "Allow apps downloaded from" to "Mac App Store and identified developers".

This is not a System Integrity Protection issue. It is Python's inability to construct a proper installer. If you can't get this version from MacPorts or Homebrew, you will have to build it from source.

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Answer 3

PurpleDiane Author

Level 1

5 points

May 12, 2016 10:50 PM in response to Loner T

Thanks so much for the information! I think this is what I will need.

I have Homebrew, but homebrew docs are very confusing, so I'm still not sure how to install a specific version of Python with it. I probably just haven't managed to find the right page of docs.

I am rethinking whether I really need 3.3 anyway. ;-)

I actually never heard of MacPorts, so I'm looking into it in case I need it in the future. I'm fairly new to the Mac development ecosystem, so there is lots to learn! Though I *love* my MacBook Pro.

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Answer 4

PurpleDiane Author

Level 1

5 points

May 12, 2016 11:13 PM in response to etresoft

etresoft:

Yep. I may be ignorant about a lot of OSX stuff, but I'm not totally stupid. It's already changed back. ;-)

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