How does one change the default program for opening a file with a given extension in OS 9? For some reason on my Mac *.sit files are associated with PictureViewer when they ought to be associated with StuffIt.
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2014, June 2 - 11:44pm
#1
File associations in OS 9
Comments
2014, June 3 - 1:37am
#2
There's a File Exchange control panel that manages associations based on file extensions. You could check that out and add an association for .sit -> StuffIt file if it's not already in there.
2014, June 3 - 2:16am
#3
Also, for quick on the fly Finder file association changing (to suit), there is Creator Changer.
2014, June 4 - 11:30pm
#4
PROBLEMS:
(Initial situation reported in opening post) StuffIt archive files downloaded from Macintosh Garden are shown in Finder with file names like "*.sit" but icons that indicate GIF files associated with QuickTime. Trying to open such a file produces an error like (translating Japanese message), "Unable to display '*.sit'. Reason: Couldn't find appropriate graphics importer." File general information indicates file type of "PictureViewer".
(Trying to use File Exchange control panel) "PC Exchange" tab file extensions "sit" and "SIT" are already associated with StuffIt Expander, which seems like it should be. File extensions associated with PictureViewer all seem to be legitimate graphics types. On "File Conversion" tab, the only relevant entries are file type "StuffIt Expander" associated with application "StuffIt Expander" (listed twice), file type "GIFf" (Creator type "JVWR") is associated with PictureViewer, and type "ZIP" (Creator type "ZIP") is associated with StuffIt Expander.
(Trying to use Creator Changer) "*.sit" files are indicated to have a Creator type of "ogle" and a file type of "GIFf". StuffIt does not appear in the list of supported file types.
What have I got screwed up?
Note: I am able to expand the archives normally by dropping the *.sit file icon onto the StuffIt icon in Launcher. But I would like to expand the files with a double-click (or is that an unMac way of thinking?) and would like the Finder icons to look right.
2014, June 4 - 11:49pm
#5
(Trying to use Creator Changer) "*.sit" files are indicated to have a Creator type of "ogle" and a file type of "GIFf". StuffIt does not appear in the list of supported file types.
What have I got screwed up?
Nothing. For File and Creator Types not listed in the pull down list, you can add your own. This list is editable.
Launch the Creator Changer by double-clicking its application icon or alias.
Click "Cancel" in the dialog that 1st appears.
Go "File" menu, choose "Preferences".
In Preferences dialog:
Type in the Creator Type (if you know it)
Type in the File Type (if you know it)
If you don't know the correct Creator & File Types off hand, but you have a document with the correct icon of the correct file type, click the "Get File" button in the Preferences dialog. Navigate to the file with the correct icon and choose it. The Creator & File Type fields then automatically fill.
Either way, at this point: Give a brief description in the Description field (e.g; Stuffit .SIT)
Then click the "Add" button (to add your entry to the list) and lastly, click the "Done" button.
Your entry will be available in the list from then on.
2014, June 5 - 12:35am
#6
The Preferences dialog wouldn't let me leave the Creator type blank so I used the *.sit file's current value "ogle". The dialog also required the file type to be four characters long, so I used "sitt".
I then opened a *.sit file with Creator Changer and changed the file type from GIFf to sitt.
This had the effect of changing the file's Finder icon to a blank dog-eared white sheet (only the file's that I opened with Creator Changer; other *.sit file icons were unchanged). However, the same "Couldn't find appropriate graphics importer" error appeared when I double-clicked the file icon.
2014, June 5 - 12:51am
#7
Did a quick check, Stuffit version 5.5 (at least) has:
Creator Type: SIT!
File Type: SIT5
All characters in these fields are case sensitive, including spaces (of which there are none in the above). There can be only four characters used in each Type field, don't accidentally type in a space after the fourth character.
[Aside] those "ogle" types you're getting are from the erroneous file mappings by the Finder when you import or DL .sit archives. "ogle" is typically for QuickTime file types IIRC. Nothing to do with Stuffit .sit
2014, June 5 - 2:13am
#8
Did a quick check, Stuffit version 5.5 (at least) has ...
What, pray tell, do you check to learn such deep magic?
Assuming the above works, does this mean that I have to use Creator Changer on every downloaded file that shows up as "ogle"?
Also, why does Finder map the downloaded .sit files to "ogle" in the first place? Is THAT something that can be fixed?
2014, June 5 - 2:42am
#9
What, pray tell, do you check to learn such deep magic?
Because Aladdin had a habit of changing the ".sit" formula with their version changes. Versions will likely keep the Creator Type "SIT!" but the File Type often changed. I just happened to have an Stuffit archive handy (with correct icon) and dragging it over onto Creator Changer, it showed me that it was a "SIT5" File Type, ergo a Stuffit version 5.x archive. No magic involved, just another use for Creator Changer.
does this mean that I have to use Creator Changer on every downloaded file that shows up as "ogle"?
No. only as an alternative if nothing else works as it should.
Also, you can select & drag several icons of the same file type at the same time (e.g; all .sit files) onto Creator Changer to save a bit of time.
Also, why does Finder map the downloaded .sit files to "ogle" in the first place?
Not sure. It might have something to do with how the system was set up or used previously. Did you set it it up yourself with a fresh install of the hard drive and OS?
How are you importing these "ogle" .sit files into the Cube? Via LAN, internet? CD, USB drive, etc?
You mentioned PC Exchange has already mapped .sit to Stuffit. What about the file mappings in the "Internet" Control Panel?
Also. Do try this: Drag a ".sit" file's icon (regardless of its file type) over onto the application icon or alias to "Stuffit Expander" and release the mouse button when the application icon highlights (darkens). What happens then?
2014, June 5 - 4:18am
#10
I'll try it when I get back home to Baby Deni tonight. 
By the way, I'd like to thank Mike Tom Tom for all the time and effort he puts into answering my newbie questions and everything else going on around here, it seems. Steve Jobs's former angel?
2014, June 5 - 4:51am
#11
Erm, thanks I think... on reflection I'd rather be Bill Atkinson's former angel, but I believe he's still with us
Anyway, as an experiment I changed a standard Stuffit archive's Creator & File Type codes from SIT! & SIT5 to "ogle" & "GIFf" respectively.
Then dragged the changed icon over onto Stuffit Expander 5.5's application icon (a desktop alias to it). Letting the mouse go, it launched Stuffit Expander and was I able to expand the file as per normal.
So it looks like these files won't be a big problem for you if you simply drag & drop them onto the Expander's icon.
2014, June 5 - 4:57pm
#12
I knew the drag-and-drop on StuffIt icon trick.
Setting the file types to SIT!/SIT5 in Creator Changer has ALMOST fixed the problem. The Finder icon for the .sit files so changed is now appropriate for the file extension.
However, now when I double-click the .sit file icon I get a dialog box that says'
Could not fine application "StuffIt Expander(TM)" to open document "*.sit".
Select a substitute application (translation/no translation) in order to open this document.
... followed by a list box containing a single entry, "StuffIt Expander(TM)"!
Now if I select StuffIt in the list and click the "Open" button, StuffIt runs and expands the .sit file as expected. So close, but I would still like to get rid of that self-contradictory dialog box.
Also, I checked both the Internet control panel and Preferences in Classilla (which I have been using to download all these .sit files directly from Mac Garden to my Mac over the Internet), but none of the file type definitions look strange, so why my Mac is associating the .sit files with PictureViewer is still a mystery.
2014, June 5 - 10:25pm
#13
A mystery, as you say. But one to be solved, dammit!
You mentioned upstream a "File Conversion" tab in the File Exchange Control Panel. I don't have this tab, but there is a "File Translation" tab (which I'm guessing is the same thing). Under this tab it is all clear on my systems (no files or programs, listed).
Also. When was the last time you "Rebuilt your Desktop"? If you don't know what I mean by this, then visit this page, its a very simple task that should be performed periodically on classic Mac systems. One that will hopefully correct that silly message you're getting.
2014, June 6 - 12:07am
#14
I deleted all the entries from my File Exchange control panel "File Translation" tab and rebuilt my desktop. The result is the situation unchanged from before. 
2014, June 6 - 1:35am
#15
You tried this with fresh downloaded .sit files?
Anyway, sad to say I'm at bit of a loss here. Did you re-install a fresh OS when you inherited the Cube? Its something I would have done as a first task, backing up anything interesting and then a complete quick reformat of the drive and fresh OS install.
2014, June 6 - 4:32am
#16
I wouldn't mind trying to reinstall the OS. And the only interesting things on it now are things I've downloaded from here, so that wouldn't need to be backed up.
However, aren't these show-stoppers?
- I don't have a copy of the OS except what's installed on the hard disk now.
- The optical drive is non-functional.
2014, June 6 - 6:27am
#17
Why does there always seem to be a Catch-22 situation?
Finding a suitable install disk shouldn't be too difficult... US English very easy, Japanese, not so sure. Sheepmyshaver123 (aka Fortuna Wave) did have a Japanese 9.2.1 install CD up at his old MediaFire account, but his account got taken down so I'm not sure if he still has it backed-up elsewhere.
Your friend that gave you the Cube, did he not have any old install CD's that would have come with the Cube?
Lack of a working optical drive might be the difficult part but not impossible. Do you know anyone with a working old Mac, one that runs at least "Classic" (PPC Mac OS X, 10.4.11 or earlier)? You might be able to install an OS with the Cube in "target mode" (host Mac to Cube via Firewire cable connection).
2014, June 6 - 7:48am
#18
Why does there always seem to be a Catch-22 situation?
What, you expect things to just work?
Seeing things compute after hacking around, over, or through the last catch-22 is the ultimate sweetness of retro-computing. But of course, it's never really the last catch-22!
I will ask my patron about the install media, but I think I'll put this issue on the back burner at least until I've got a working optical drive. As things stand, you've got it mostly working for me.
2014, June 6 - 11:33pm
#19
Fair enough. It pays to sit back and consider the options too. At least you have it up and running reasonably well enough and can run programs & games on it OK now to some degree of satisfaction.
If you come across an old, late-model slot-loading iMac G3 with a working optical drive, cannibalize it for the drive. It should be easier (and cheaper) to find a working one of these, than a dead Cube selling as spare parts.
Mind you, a late-model G3 iMac of 500 to 600 MHz would probably be comparable performance-wise to a 400 - 500 MHz Cube. If you were to acquire a good working one, you may decide to keep and use one of those, as is.
2014, June 5 - 5:22pm
#20
However, now when I double-click the .sit file icon I get a dialog box that says'
Could not fine application "StuffIt Expander(TM)" to open document "*.sit".
Select a substitute application (translation/no translation) in order to open this document.
... followed by a list box containing a single entry, "StuffIt Expander(TM)"!
Now if I select StuffIt in the list and click the "Open" button, StuffIt runs and expands the .sit file as expected. So close, but I would still like to get rid of that self-contradictory dialog box.
My SheepShaver vm does the same exact thing, actually. Drives me crazy.