Frequently Asked Questions






 

Q: I've used Netscape Communicator(tm) 4.x to download StuffIt Expander(tm), but I can't open the file I got. What's up with that?

A: You're probably experiencing what we call the "Chicken and Egg" problem: you need StuffIt Expander in order to decode encoded files, yet Expander itself is encoded. If you're using Netscape Navigator 4.x to browse the Web, you can get around this problem by following these steps:

1. Choose 'Preferences...' from Communicator's Options menu.
2. In the Category list on the left side of the "Preferences" window, click 'Applications.' If you don't see the word 'Applications' in the Category list, click the triangle to the left of 'Navigator,' then click 'Applications.'
3. In the scrolling list on the "Helpers" panel, scroll down until you see "Macintosh BinHex Archive" in the left-most column.
4. Double-click on "Macintosh BinHex Archive."
5. In the bottom part of the "Edit Type" window that appears, change the 'Handled By' preference from 'Application' to 'Communicator.'
6. Click the 'OK' button in the "Edit Type" window.
7. Click the 'OK' button in the "Preferences" window.
8. Download StuffIt Expander from our Web site.

9. About a third of the way down the next page that appears, you'll see two panels, each of which contains several links to download sites. In the first of these panels, click the 'Download Site ONE' link. If this site is busy or not working, try the 'Download Site TWO' link. Likewise, if that doesn't work, try each of the remaining download sites until you make a successful connection.

NOTE: Be sure to use the links in the *first* panel in order to get the BinHexed version of StuffIt Expander. The links in the second panel are for the MacBinary version, which you won't be able to decode using this procedure.

10. On the right-hand side of the dialog box that appears, click the 'Desktop' button if it's available (if it's grayed out, you're already there). Then click the 'Save' button. Be aware that you won't see the usual floating dialog box with a progress bar in it during the download. When downloading using this method, the only indications of progress you'll see are the comets going past the 'N' in the upper right corner of the Netscape window, and a running percentage of download completion in the lower left corner.
11. When the download is finished, quit Communicator and restart your Mac. Hold down the [Shift] key as the Mac starts up. You can let go when you see either "Welcome to Macintosh; Extensions off," or "Welcome to Mac OS; Extensions disabled" (depending on which version of the System software you're using).
12. On your desktop, double-click the new file called "StuffIt Expander 4.0.1 Install." When the installer asks you where you want to install StuffIt Expander, put it anyplace you like, but remember where you put it - you'll want to be able to show Communicator where it is. After installation is complete, restart your machine the usual way (don't hold down any keys).
13. When your machine finishes starting up, launch Navigator.
14. Choose 'Preferences...' from Communicator's Options menu.
15. In the Category list on the left side of the "Preferences" window, click 'Applications.' If you don't see the word 'Applications' in the Category list, click the triangle to the left of 'Navigator,' then click 'Applications.'
16. In the scrolling list on the "Helpers" panel, scroll down until you see "Macintosh BinHex Archive" in the left-most column.
17. Double-click on "Macintosh BinHex Archive."
18. In the bottom part of the "Edit Type" window that appears, change the 'Handled By' preference from 'Communicator' back to 'Application.'
19. Click the 'Choose...' button, then, in the dialog box that appears, locate your newly-installed copy of StuffIt Expander and double-click it.
20. Click the 'OK' button in the "Edit Type" window.
21. Click the 'OK' button in the "Preferences" window.
22. You're done. :)


Contacting Aladdin's Technical Support Department


Aladdin Systems, Inc. email: support@aladdinsys.com
165 Westridge Dr. FTP site: ftp.aladdinsys.com
Watsonville, CA 95076 CompuServe Forum: Go: ALADDIN
Phone: 408-761-6200 Fax: 408-761-6206

Technical support is available by telephone Monday through Thursday, 8am - 5pm Pacific Time and Friday, 8am - 3pm. The Technical Support Department is closed Friday from 3pm to 5pm for a weekly meeting.
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