Need help

[DaveF]

My problem free and comfortable Mac OS X 10.2.6 world has been invaded by three small but nevertheless perplexing problems.  

I downloaded and installed a free app named Photo Companion to compare its RAW photo file conversion capability with Canon's and Adobe's products.  Its conversion was slow and it provided nothing that I personally cannot do better or faster with current apps.  End of Photo Companion, or so I thought.  It would not allow me to drag it to the Trash, but a Restart corrected the problem.  

Next, opened Canon's File Viewer Utility (FVU) to compare conversion results, but repeatedly received the error "The application File Viewer Utility has unexpectedly quit."  Deleted FVU to do a simple re-install. Did I say simple? Downloading it from Adobe was simple, but during installation I was prompted to "Insert the CD that contains MasterInstaller for Mac OS 8 or 9."  Surprised (don't remember that requirement from initial Install), I tried every OS 9 and OS X disk available but MasterInstaller was never found.  Checking back at the download site, Adobe advises "This updater requires a verification of a Canon Solution Disk CD-ROM. During installation you will be asked to insert a Canon Solution Disk CD-ROM."  Huh?

Question #1:  Anyone know what disk contains MasterInstaller?

Worked around that problem by copying FVU from a partition created by Carbon Copy Cloner, but the problem persisted.  Making a longer story short, discovered that FVU works fine unless I try to navigate to my primary startup partition creatively named OS X, which of course is what I was trying to do from the start.  Rebooted from the clone partition creatively named Backup with the same results - FVU will navigate to four of the five partitions (on two HDs) but not to the OS X partition. Deleting FVU Preferences does not help.

Question #2:  Anyone have a clue why FVU is quitting while attempting to navigate to the OX partition?

Went to the Application Folder>Utilities Folder>Disk Utility to repair Permissions on the OS X partition.  The Utilities Folder icon was missing but "Utilities" was right below where the icon should have been.  Simple matter to copy the Utilities Folder from the Backup partition.  Did I say simple?  Received the error "One or more items have special permissions and cannot be copied.  Do you want to skip them?"  Turns out that the problem was with Disk Utility.  All utilities copy correctly except for Disk Utility.  Finally took Disk Utility from the Utilities Folder on the Backup partition and put in on a level recognized alone by Carbon Copy Cloner.  Deleted all except Disk Utility and copied it to the OS X partition.  Disk Utilities now works from the OS X partition but again get the "One or more items have special permissions and cannot be copied." if I try to put Disk Utility into the Utilities Folder.  I have changed Ownership and Permission options in Get Info to every combination - same outcome.  The only thing clear in all this is Permissions and similar under the hood goodies in OS X are more than ever a mystery to me.  

Question #3: Disk Utility works, but why can't I put it into the Utility Folder?  What is the secret handshake?  Oops, that is two questions.

Three small yet perplexing problems.  Hope someone has a bit of help for this poor soul who just a few days ago was exalting the virtues of OS X to his brother.  Yes, now know I should have left well enough alone from the start.  

[Paddy]

Dave, have you tried logging out and logging back in as root? That might allow you to move it. Worth a try.

[DaveF]

Thanks Paddy, your counsel is wise as always.  

Before resorting to logging in as Root, I reset Owners & Permissions to Me for Disk Utility, Application Folder and Utility Folder for the umpteenth time.  Bet you know where this is headed.  Yep, Disk Utility this time moved into the Utility Folder without the slightest whimper.  I'm happy Disk Utility is now where it belongs but not having the slightest idea why it worked this time and not the many others attempts is disconcerting to say the least.  

I don't like having to deal with and not understanding the layers under the nice Mac-like top layer of OS X.   Bought a Mac in April 1984 and for a long time I reveled in learning each and every OS detail by experimenting and by reading.  Nowadays, I am happier not having to know what is under the hood.  The stability of OS X is very attractive, but I could happily do without the occasional wart that appears.  I don't know when this transformation to using a computer as a means to an end occurred.  

  again Paddy for the kind reply.  I would be grateful for anyone's thoughts on the other two problems.

Dave

[krissel]

Dave, from reading your description of the first problem (reinstalling the FileViewer) it sounds as if it is asking for a CD that might have come with a Canon camera when it wants the MasterInstaller. As far as I know there is no such thing on the Mac OS CDs. Do you have a Canon camera and did it come with CD software?

[DaveF]

Kris,
Was a bit surprised by your post until I re-read my post. I can readily see that a reader would probably think "It's as plain as the nose on your face that a CD that came with a Canon camera is required."  So, thanks for your delicate phasing.  

I have three Canon cameras.  I misplaced (lost) one set of CDs and left a second set at my Mother's home in PA.  I have tried the third set and for some reason, the FVU installer does not find the required MasterInstaller file.  Perplexing but not important.  The second problem about FVU quitting while navigating to the OS X partition is what really set me off on this call for help.  Would like to avoid reformatting my main partition.

Like most everyone, I occasionally run across a problem that defies solution at the moment.  Usually after "sleeping on it" the mystery is revealed as a brain cramp.  I have no doubt  that my small problems fit firmly in that category.

I'm a bit late responding to your post.  Have been dodging a few rain drops on the golf course.  I was in Fort Lauderdale amidst the 9 to 12 inches of rain that fell in a two and one-hours period on April 27th.  Forunately, we were off the golf course before the rain started.  I experienced torrential rainfalls during Vietnam monsoons but have never seen so much water fall in such a short time.

for your patience,
Dave

Edited as an attempt to cover up my inability to correctly spell the simplest words.  
Didn't catch them all the first time.

[DaveF]

Late last night (early morning), the three small problems (actually the two remaining ones) became one big one.  My Pismo Powerbook refused to boot to the OS X partition. Reformatted the OS X partition and copied the Backup partition to the OS X partition using Carbon Copy Cloner (a marvelous utility).  Also copied some backed up data.  No problems except that File Viewer Utility still quit when navigating to the OS X partition.  Borrowed a Canon Solution Disk CD from a friend and successfully reinstalled File Viewer Utility.  It now navigates okay to the OS X partition.  Everything is back to normal with me none the wiser.

  Paddy and Kris  

Dave