Why does my iMac refuse to download Flash Player and other things?
September 30, 2011 8:39 AM Subscribe
I have a Mac desktop with OS X 10.6.8 and use Firefox. When I try to download something like CCleaner or updated version of Adobe Flash, I'm unable to do so. Instead I'm told I've chosen to open a binary file, and when I click Save File, a blank box opens with a "Download" label, but then just sits there: a blank white box apparently doing nothing. I wait, and nothing happens.
I'm computer dumb, so be gentle. Have I got my settings screwed up, or am I not doing something I should? This has happened a bunch of times when I try to download other stuff.
I hate being ignorant.
Many thanks if you can help.
There is a beta version of CCCleaner for Mac. Could you give us the link you were using to download it?
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 9:03 AM on September 30, 2011
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 9:03 AM on September 30, 2011
It's true that CCleaner is a Windows application, but I frequently download Windows apps on my Mac to transfer to my Windows PC later. That's not the problem. It sounds like your preferences in Firefox need to be tweaked.
Press Command and the comma key (or in Firefox, choose Firefox-->Preferences), then click the Applications tab and adjust the Actions column for the file types you're trying to download. For example, you can click "Save File" instead of letting your default apps try to open it.
posted by LuckySeven~ at 9:44 AM on September 30, 2011
Press Command and the comma key (or in Firefox, choose Firefox-->Preferences), then click the Applications tab and adjust the Actions column for the file types you're trying to download. For example, you can click "Save File" instead of letting your default apps try to open it.
posted by LuckySeven~ at 9:44 AM on September 30, 2011
It's possible that you are downloading these files, but don't see the resultant file in the downloads window. Open a finder window and open your home directory, it should have a tiny house by it and your user name. In that folder, open the Downloads folder. Look in there to see id that's where your files ended up.
posted by advicepig at 9:45 AM on September 30, 2011
posted by advicepig at 9:45 AM on September 30, 2011
In Firefox, as you know, you get the Downloads window when, well, downloading. Often, the download completes very quickly, and you sometimes never see the progress in the window. If you have your Prefs set to delete entries after downloading, you will, indeed, end up with a blank white window staring you in the face.
It doesn't matter if something is a Win app or not, Mac OS will download anything you ask it to, including .exe files. It just can't run Win apps (natively).
posted by Thorzdad at 10:06 AM on September 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
It doesn't matter if something is a Win app or not, Mac OS will download anything you ask it to, including .exe files. It just can't run Win apps (natively).
posted by Thorzdad at 10:06 AM on September 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
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For instance, on this page, it says Windows compatible update, and Macintosh compatible update.
posted by trogdole at 8:48 AM on September 30, 2011