PRB: Files Copied from MS-DOS to Mac Have Wrong Icon and Type

ID: Q118937

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft FoxPro for Macintosh, versions 2.5b, 2.5c
• Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Macintosh, version 3.0b

SYMPTOMS

After FoxPro files have been converted from MS-DOS format to the Macintosh format, they do not display the correct FoxPro icons or file kind in a window. Additionally, viewing the files with a resource editor, such as ResEdit, shows that they have the wrong resource type and creator.

CAUSE

Because MS-DOS files do not have resources, the tool used to transport them to the Macintosh usually assigns its creator and file type to the files. Examples are the Apple File Exchange utility and networks that support connections to MS-DOS-based machines and Macintoshes, such as Microsoft Windows NT.

WORKAROUND

To fix the files, do one of the following:

• If only a few files are involved, use one of the techniques described in the "More Information" section below to change the creator and file types of the files.

  -or-

• If many files are involved, you may want to use the programmatic workaround described in the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

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

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Change File Creator and Types by Using File, Save As

NOTE: This technique does not work on file types, such as tables, that can't be saved using the Save As command on the File menu.

1. From the File menu, choose Open. Select the appropriate file type in the

   Type list box.

   NOTE: If the file isn't visible, select the All Files check box.

4. From the File menu, choose Save As. Keep the current filename and choose

   Save.

6. From the File menu, choose Close.

Steps to Change File Creator and Types Using ResEdit

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 want to make backup copies of the FoxPro files before proceeding.

NOTE: The instructions below are for 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 (APDA).

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 file that needs its creator and type changed. Choose

   Get Info.

   FOXX.

   NOTE: For a list of FoxPro types, see the "Creator File Types"
   topic in the FoxPro online Help system.

   choose Yes.

8. From the File menu, choose Quit.

NOTE: If the file kind/type and icon do not change, you will need to rebuild the desktop. To do this, perform the following steps:

1. 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.

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

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