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General discussion

Opening Mac files on my PC

Aug 26, 2005 5:32PM PDT

What's the easiest way to open Mac files on my PC. I'm running XP pro and do have some software installed called Mac Opener but it does seem a bit cumbersome and I have to restart the computer for it to work each time I need to use it and it doesn't seem to work on all files.

Discussion is locked

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What is a MAC file?
Aug 26, 2005 9:17PM PDT

At the office, word and excel files require no tools beyond Office or Open Office. If you have a buggy Macopener, then ask for an updated version. It's also possible you are on some very old Windows OS, but you didn't tell about it.

Bob

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What "Mac" files
Aug 26, 2005 11:44PM PDT

As Bob says, without information there can be no answers

P

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You are in luck
Aug 28, 2005 7:04PM PDT

I have heard about this program by reading Windows XP for Dummies. It is an emulation program for Windows that allows programs that are for Motorola Processors running on the Macintosh to work under Windows. This program doesn't natively support PowerPC (Apples Latest Processors, used today). This is probably the issue, you're trying to make a program that is too new and works only for PowerPC to work on Mac Opener. Mac Opener I'm pretty sure ONLY supports the Processor Apple used in it's computers to power the Macintosh that was pre-PowerPC (about 1995 and before). This means that the program or document you're trying to work won't open with Mac Opener. Although, if you ask a more geeky guy than me, he may be able to fiddle around with the settings to persuade the document or program to work with Mac Opener.

Good luck, and I hope I've made sense.

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Not a chance
Aug 28, 2005 9:53PM PDT

of this working.
What was the name of this wonderful program. I cannot remember a Mac emulation program that worked under Windows.
There have been a few that will convert/open FILES that were created on a Mac using Word, Excel and the like. It would also allow the PC to read a Mac formatted disk.
None of them actually ran a Mac program.
Strange that an XP book would be referring to a program that would work on a processor that was no longer in use on the Mac and has not been for a considerable number of years.
We still need to know what files the original poster was trying to open.

P

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Mac Opener
Aug 29, 2005 11:34PM PDT

Mac Opener is this program. But I have a feeling it only opens Mac formatted floppy disks. How has Louisiana been with the hurricane btw (sorry administrators-I know that this is off topic).

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MacOpener
Aug 30, 2005 12:34AM PDT

You are correct. That program only enabled the use of Mac formatted floppy disks, what are those, on a PC. The other alternative was to ask the Mac user to put stuff onto a PC formatted disk, which the Mac could do out of the box.
Mac's have not had a floppy drive installed since the first iMac arrived on the scene in 1998.

Only the lower portion of the state was hit by the hurricane, which almost immediately moved into Mississippi. The is massive flooding in New Orleans and the surrounding parishes though. I believe a couple of the levy's have failed.

P

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Mac file to open also...need advice
Sep 15, 2005 3:44AM PDT

I also have a mac file that needs opening. It was created on a Macintosh classic, using Microsoft works. It was a database, as well as another file that was a spreadsheet. Office xp will NOT open this file, as I get a disk error (because it was formatted as a MAC diskette). I downloaded this ''MacOpener'', but don't know how to use it. Anyone can give step by step instructions would help me greatly.

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Step by Step
Sep 15, 2005 6:16AM PDT

Follow the instructions to install MacOpener, then:
This quote from the company web site:
Using Macintosh Media

Simply insert any Macintosh 1.44 MB floppy disk, SyQuest cartridge, Mac OS Extended format (HFS+) disk, etc. and use it. You can even format Macintosh disks on your Windows PC. Conversions Plus is perfect for sharing ''cross-platform files'' such as graphics, publishing, audio, web and more.

To access a Mac disk, simply double-click on the drive icon that has the disk in it - just like you would for a PC disk. Yes, it's that easy...

End of quote.
It does not get much more step by step than that. Remember that this program ONLY allows you to read the disk. It does NOT create some magic by which you can use the data contained on the disk. For example. You have an XL spread sheet on the Mac disk. You move it to your PC via the Macopener program. You do NOT have XL on your PC. Even though you can read the disk, you still CANNOT open the XL file.

On another note. Is the disk you are trying to use a HD, High Density, disk? If it is, it will have two square holes in it, one on each corner. If you disk only has one square hole, you will not be able to read it, even with Macopener. The program only supports HD disks. You might even have difficulty with reading it on a Mac. This must be some really important data that you have been hiding away. Microsoft Works (now there's an oxymoron) has not been produced for the Mac for years.

Web site for the product:
http://www.dataviz.com/products/macopener/mo_macmedia.html

Good Luck

P