PRB: Distribution Kit Changes File Kind to FoxMac25.esl

• Microsoft FoxPro Distribution Kit for Macintosh, versions 2.5x, 2.6a

SYMPTOMS

Installing the Distribution Kit changes files of kind "Microsoft FoxPro document" to "FoxMac25.esl document."

NOTE: If an application program (executable) has already been built by the Distribution Kit, files may instead have the kind "<application_name> document."

For example, if an executable called "Test App" has already been built, and the desktop is then rebuilt, files that should be of the kind "Microsoft FoxPro document" become "Test App document."

CAUSE

The Macintosh tracks file kinds based on the creator registered in the desktop file with the latest created date and time. When an application program is created using the Distribution Kit, a new application program with the FOXX creator is added to the desktop file with the current date and time. Therefore, all documents that have the FOXX creator will show up with the new application's name after the desktop is rebuilt.

WORKAROUND

Setting the created date for the "Microsoft FoxPro" file (which also has the creator FOXX) to a date relatively far into the future, such as in the year 1999, avoids this conflict because it will have a later created date than all applications built with the Distribution Kit (until that date in 1999).

CAUTION: This workaround uses Apple's resource editor, ResEdit. Because a file may be damaged if incorrect changes are made, the use of ResEdit is recommended for advanced Macintosh users only. As a precautionary step, you may wish to make a backup copy of the Microsoft FoxPro file before proceeding.

NOTE: The instructions below were performed using ResEdit version 2.1.1. If you use a different version of ResEdit, these instructions may vary slightly. ResEdit does not come with the Macintosh operating system, but can be obtained from Macintosh user groups or the Apple Programmers and Developers Association (ADPA).

1. Start ResEdit. Press ESC to stop the animated opening screen.

2. In the opening dialog box, choose Cancel.

3. From the File menu, choose Get File/Folder Info.

4. Select the "Microsoft FoxPro" file, located in the main FoxPro folder. Choose Get Info.

5. Change the date in the Created text box to a later date. For example, you may want to change the date to Dec 4, 1999. Because it probably doesn't match the new date, be sure to delete the day of the week (such as Mon) already in the text box.

6. From the File menu, choose Quit.

7. When prompted by the message "Save 'Info for Microsoft FoxPro' before closing?", choose Yes.

8. While holding down the COMMAND and OPTION keys, choose Restart from the Special menu. Continue holding down the COMMAND and OPTION keys while the Macintosh restarts; this rebuilds the desktop.

9. After the Macintosh restarts, it displays the following dialog box:

   Are you sure you want to rebuild the desktop file on the disk "<disk_name>"? Comments in info windows will be lost.

10. Release the COMMAND and OPTION keys, and then choose OK.

Alternative Workaround

Another workaround is to use the FOXTOOLS.MLB function to reset the creator type.

For more information on using the FOXTOOLS.MLB function, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  ARTICLE-ID: Q114999
  TITLE     : PRB: Creators and Types Are Reset After Transport to
              Macintosh

STATUS

Microsoft is researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.