Saved format changed to Unix Executable

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Level 4

1,205 points

Saved format changed to Unix Executable

I have a file saved on a CD that I wanted to get in to but found it is now a Unix Executable file. I have no idea what is going on with this - it was originally (probably) a simple text or text edit file .... maybe a word file but doubt it.

Why is it now this Unix file format - any ideas how something like this happens.

Very confused here.

MDD 1G-DP; G4 450; FP iMac 800; Cube Mac OS X (10.4.1)

Posted on May 16, 2007 10:47 AM

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Answer 1

May 16, 2007 11:02 AM in response to buz

Hi buz

Depending on the operating system that created the file, the file may have been stripped of any original Mac-specific resources.

If you know that the file is a text file, you can use "Open With" to open it in TextEdit. You could also try renaming the file with a ".txt" extension.

Matt

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Answer 2

buz Author

Level 4

1,205 points

May 16, 2007 1:44 PM in response to Matt Clifton

Hello Matt,

Thank you for that. I created the file back in 03 or 04 in OS 10.2 or 3. I tried opening it with Text Wrangler, but no use .... I'll try Text Edit and try appending the ext and see what happens.

TY

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Answer 3

buz Author

Level 4

1,205 points

May 16, 2007 6:16 PM in response to Matt Clifton

Adding the .txt extension helped open the file but it only produced gibberish (sp) both in Text Edit and Text Wrangler.

I see there other misc files that have the same corruption.

Any other ideas anyone?

TY

MDD 1G-DP; G4 450; FP iMac 800; Cube Mac OS X (10.4.1)

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Answer 4

buz Author

Level 4

1,205 points

May 17, 2007 6:37 AM in response to buz

Really hoping someone may have a thought on this - I've found a number of saved files that have become this unix executable format. It isn't the 'end of days' if I don't get these files salvaged, none-the-less there's info I would like to have.

Thanks for any thoughts on this.

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Answer 5

buz Author

Level 4

1,205 points

May 17, 2007 6:56 AM in response to buz

Doing some detective work in google and found some info. Does anyone know the type and creator codes for SimpleText or TextEdit.

This link
http://www.leisterpro.com/doc/version8/questions/answers/upgradeproblems.php

has a link to some freeware that may be what I need if I knew the type and creator codes.

TY

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Answer 6

Lefkows

Level 2

182 points

May 17, 2007 7:26 AM in response to buz

SimpleText: Creator: ttxt Type: TEXT
BBEdit: R*ch TEXT
Word: MSWD W8BN (Word '97)
TEXT (text format)
RTF (RTF format)
You can try using TypeShuffler (classic app) to determine the Creator & Type

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Answer 7

mattn

Level 2

422 points

May 17, 2007 10:01 AM in response to buz

"Unix Executable" is just a catch-all category; it just means you've lost any info as to what type of file this is supposed to be. You need to remember what type of file it is, and open it with the appropriate app.

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Answer 8

buz Author

Level 4

1,205 points

May 17, 2007 5:29 PM in response to mattn

Hello Matt,

I wish it were that simple - it is not. I created the files back a few years and know the files are either TextEdit or Word - most likely TextEdit. The .txt extension only produces the heirogliphics.

I just updated my OS a couple days ago from 10.4.3 to 10.4.9 and am wondering if there may be an issue with the update.

Thanks anyway.

Buz

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Answer 9

mattn

Level 2

422 points

May 18, 2007 7:56 AM in response to buz

But if these are not plain text files (and all indications are that they are not), adding .txt would be totally the wrong thing to do. I didn't say add .txt; I said you need to know what kind of files they really were, and open them with the right app.

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Answer 10

buz Author

Level 4

1,205 points

Jun 2, 2007 10:33 PM in response to buz

Never figured this out.

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