File Assistant: For Which Computers and How To Install (1/96)


Several users are reporting that "File Assistant" is getting installed as part of the System 7.5 Easy Install. It also does not appear to be part of a clean install on some computer models. This product ships installed on many Macintosh computers, but if someone erases it there is no option in Custom Install to reinstall it.



Does Assistant Toolbox and it's companion application File Assistant work on any Macintosh computer?



What choice do users select in custom install to get File Assistant installed?



The Installer places this software on which computers during a Clean Install or Easy Install?



Which computers come with the software installed on the hard drive?


File Assistant version 1.0 can be used on any Macintosh but there is a catch with Power Macintosh computers. It turns out that during an Easy Install on a Power Macintosh computer, the installer for File Assistant replaces the Finder, Finder Help, and the Network extension with older versions.



The workaround is to use the Custom Install option to install 'File Assistant' and 'Assistant Toolbox'. File Assistant then works without any problems on Power Macintosh computers.



For non-Power Macintosh computers, you can use the Easy Install option on the File Assistant 1.0 Installer Disk available online. When doing an Easy Install, File Assistant will be installed if the target computer is a PowerBook or Duo. It will also be installed during the Custom Install option if the you select Software for Any Macintosh.



File Assistant is factory installed on PowerBook and Duo computers with the Assistant Toolbox installed in the active System Folder, and PowerBook File Assistant installed in the Portables folder inside the Extras Folder. It is also included in the System 7.5 Install Folders on non-System 7.5 systems such as the 4 MB PowerBook configurations.





These articles can help you locate the software update mentioned here:



"Where To Find Apple Software Updates" -- Lists online services for free Apple software updates.



"Obtaining Apple Product Support in the USA" -- Lists 800 numbers and online services for software updates, Apple support information, and a subset of the Apple Tech Info Library.





Article Change History:

08 Jan 1996 - Corrected minor typo.

16 Feb 1995 - Changed keyword and reviewed for technical accuracy.



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Published Date: Feb 19, 2012