file extensions

[Jim Momyer]

When I try to download a file with a .bin extension XP
tells me it is not possible because it is an operating
file. I am trying to download software for a digital
camera. The maufacturer says it's just a file and should
download. What now?

[Sharon F]

Jim Momyer wrote:
> When I try to download a file with a .bin extension XP
> tells me it is not possible because it is an operating
> file. I am trying to download software for a digital
> camera. The maufacturer says it's just a file and should
> download. What now?

Are downloads allowed in Internet Options> Security> Downloads? Are you
downloading while logged onto an account that belongs to the administrator
group?

The .BIN extension signifies a binary file. Is it possible your antivirus
program or internet security software is blocking the download? What is the
exact error message that you're getting when you try to download the file?
What is in the title bar of the message window?

If the file is attached to an email, Outlook Express will block some
potentially dangerous file types. That feature can be turned off using
Tools> Options> Security. Uncheck the box to block attachments.


--
Sharon F
Microsoft MVP, Windows - Shell/User

[Jim Momyer]

>-----Original Message-----
> Jim Momyer wrote:
>> When I try to download a file with a .bin extension XP
>> tells me it is not possible because it is an operating
>> file. I am trying to download software for a digital
>> camera. The maufacturer says it's just a file and
should
>> download. What now?
>
>Are downloads allowed in Internet Options> Security>
Downloads? Are you
>downloading while logged onto an account that belongs to
the administrator
>group?
>
>The .BIN extension signifies a binary file. Is it
possible your antivirus
>program or internet security software is blocking the
download? What is the
>exact error message that you're getting when you try to
download the file?
>What is in the title bar of the message window?
>
>If the file is attached to an email, Outlook Express
will block some
>potentially dangerous file types. That feature can be
turned off using
>Tools> Options> Security. Uncheck the box to block
attachments.
>
>
>--
>Sharon F
>Microsoft MVP, Windows - Shell/User
>
Thanks for the response Sharon F.
THe following is what happens.'
When I try to download the file I get a message
saying "Windows cannot open this file. These files are
used by the operating system and by various programs.
Editing or modifying them could damage you system. If you
still want to open the file, click open with, otherwise
cancel."
When I click on open I get the following message.
"Windows cannot open this file. To open this file Windows
needs to know what program created it".
>.
>

[Mark Weinreb]

"Jim Momyer" > wrote in message
...
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> > Jim Momyer wrote:
> >> When I try to download a file with a .bin extension XP
> >> tells me it is not possible because it is an operating
> >> file. I am trying to download software for a digital
> >> camera. The maufacturer says it's just a file and
> should
> >> download. What now?
> >
> >Are downloads allowed in Internet Options> Security>
> Downloads? Are you
> >downloading while logged onto an account that belongs to
> the administrator
> >group?
> >
> >The .BIN extension signifies a binary file. Is it
> possible your antivirus
> >program or internet security software is blocking the
> download? What is the
> >exact error message that you're getting when you try to
> download the file?
> >What is in the title bar of the message window?
> >
> >If the file is attached to an email, Outlook Express
> will block some
> >potentially dangerous file types. That feature can be
> turned off using
> >Tools> Options> Security. Uncheck the box to block
> attachments.
> >
> >
> >--
> >Sharon F
> >Microsoft MVP, Windows - Shell/User
> >
> Thanks for the response Sharon F.
> THe following is what happens.'
> When I try to download the file I get a message
> saying "Windows cannot open this file. These files are
> used by the operating system and by various programs.
> Editing or modifying them could damage you system. If you
> still want to open the file, click open with, otherwise
> cancel."
> When I click on open I get the following message.
> "Windows cannot open this file. To open this file Windows
> needs to know what program created it".
> >.
> >
Are you saying that you managed to download the file, but now cannot open
it?
If that's the case you'll need to open it with whatever software your camera
manufacturer provided. However, the .bin extension is more often used with
Mac software (the other being .hqx), so are you sure you're downloading the
correct file?
If you can't even download the file, try right-clicking on the link and
select "save as".

Perhaps you could post a link to the page where this file can be found.

[Sharon F]

Jim Momyer wrote:
>> -----Original Message-----
>> Jim Momyer wrote:
>>> When I try to download a file with a .bin extension XP
>>> tells me it is not possible because it is an operating
>>> file. I am trying to download software for a digital
>>> camera. The maufacturer says it's just a file and should
>>> download. What now?
>>
>> Are downloads allowed in Internet Options> Security> Downloads? Are you
>> downloading while logged onto an account that belongs to the
administrator
>> group?
>>
>> The .BIN extension signifies a binary file. Is it possible your antivirus
>> program or internet security software is blocking the download? What is
the
>> exact error message that you're getting when you try to download the
file?
>> What is in the title bar of the message window?
>>
>> If the file is attached to an email, Outlook Express will block some
>> potentially dangerous file types. That feature can be turned off using
>> Tools> Options> Security. Uncheck the box to block attachments.
>>
>>
>> --
>> Sharon F
>> Microsoft MVP, Windows - Shell/User
>>
> Thanks for the response Sharon F.
> THe following is what happens.'
> When I try to download the file I get a message
> saying "Windows cannot open this file. These files are
> used by the operating system and by various programs.
> Editing or modifying them could damage you system. If you
> still want to open the file, click open with, otherwise
> cancel."
> When I click on open I get the following message.
> "Windows cannot open this file. To open this file Windows
> needs to know what program created it".
>> .

Ah, I see. You've managed to download the file (transfer it from one source
to another). You're stuck on the part of getting it installed.

While BIN files may be more common with Macs as Mike points out, they are
used with PCs as well. If I search for BIN files on my PC, there are quite a
few but they are tucked away in folders of various programs. Some general
applications but mostly apps that support hardware.

On PCs, BIN files aren't launched or opened directly by the user. There is
usually an accompanying EXE or INF file that the user runs and that process
will access and use the data within the BIN file. Hence, the messages you're
seeing from Windows.

The missing bit of info that you need is from the camera manufacturer - what
to do with the file (if it is the right one for the PC platform) after
you've downloaded it. Did they happen to have any directions posted at the
download site that mentioned what to do with the file after you have it in
your possession?

--
Sharon F
Microsoft MVP, Windows - Shell/User

[Jim Momyer]

>-----Original Message-----
>
>"Jim Momyer" > wrote in message
...
>>
>> >-----Original Message-----
>> > Jim Momyer wrote:
>> >> When I try to download a file with a .bin extension
XP
>> >> tells me it is not possible because it is an
operating
>> >> file. I am trying to download software for a
digital
>> >> camera. The maufacturer says it's just a file and
>> should
>> >> download. What now?
>> >
>> >Are downloads allowed in Internet Options> Security>
>> Downloads? Are you
>> >downloading while logged onto an account that belongs
to
>> the administrator
>> >group?
>> >
>> >The .BIN extension signifies a binary file. Is it
>> possible your antivirus
>> >program or internet security software is blocking the
>> download? What is the
>> >exact error message that you're getting when you try
to
>> download the file?
>> >What is in the title bar of the message window?
>> >
>> >If the file is attached to an email, Outlook Express
>> will block some
>> >potentially dangerous file types. That feature can be
>> turned off using
>> >Tools> Options> Security. Uncheck the box to block
>> attachments.
>> >
>> >
>> >--
>> >Sharon F
>> >Microsoft MVP, Windows - Shell/User
>> >
>> Thanks for the response Sharon F.
>> THe following is what happens.'
>> When I try to download the file I get a message
>> saying "Windows cannot open this file. These files are
>> used by the operating system and by various programs.
>> Editing or modifying them could damage you system. If
you
>> still want to open the file, click open with, otherwise
>> cancel."
>> When I click on open I get the following message.
>> "Windows cannot open this file. To open this file
Windows
>> needs to know what program created it".
>> >.
>> >
>Are you saying that you managed to download the file,
but now cannot open
>it?
>If that's the case you'll need to open it with whatever
software your camera
>manufacturer provided. However, the .bin extension is
more often used with
>Mac software (the other being .hqx), so are you sure
you're downloading the
>correct file?
>If you can't even download the file, try right-clicking
on the link and
>select "save as".
>
>Perhaps you could post a link to the page where this
file can be found.
>
>
>.
I have gone to the webpage of the manufacture of the
Toshiba camera where I find an upgrade for the media
storage on my camera. The instructions are to download a
file pdr_m4.bin from a link on their page. When I click
on that link I get the message, unable to download as
indicated in my previous messages. When asked if I want
to download it anyway I reply yes and get a message that
wants to know what program do I want to open it with.
I don't know what to do from there. >

[Sharon F]

Jim Momyer wrote:
>> -----Original Message-----
>>
>> "Jim Momyer" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> Jim Momyer wrote:
>>>>> When I try to download a file with a .bin extension XP
>>>>> tells me it is not possible because it is an operating
>>>>> file. I am trying to download software for a digital
>>>>> camera. The maufacturer says it's just a file and should
>>>>> download. What now?
>>>>
>>>> Are downloads allowed in Internet Options> Security> Downloads? Are you
>>>> downloading while logged onto an account that belongs to the
>>>> administrator group?
>>>>
>>>> The .BIN extension signifies a binary file. Is it possible your
antivirus
>>>> program or internet security software is blocking the download? What is
>>>> the exact error message that you're getting when you try to download
the
>>>> file? What is in the title bar of the message window?
>>>>
>>>> If the file is attached to an email, Outlook Express will block some
>>>> potentially dangerous file types. That feature can be turned off using
>>>> Tools> Options> Security. Uncheck the box to block attachments.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Sharon F
>>>> Microsoft MVP, Windows - Shell/User
>>>>
>>> Thanks for the response Sharon F.
>>> THe following is what happens.'
>>> When I try to download the file I get a message
>>> saying "Windows cannot open this file. These files are
>>> used by the operating system and by various programs.
>>> Editing or modifying them could damage you system. If you
>>> still want to open the file, click open with, otherwise
>>> cancel."
>>> When I click on open I get the following message.
>>> "Windows cannot open this file. To open this file Windows
>>> needs to know what program created it".
>>>> .
>>>>
>> Are you saying that you managed to download the file, but now cannot open
>> it?
>> If that's the case you'll need to open it with whatever software your
>> camera manufacturer provided. However, the .bin extension is more often
>> used with Mac software (the other being .hqx), so are you sure you're
>> downloading the correct file?
>> If you can't even download the file, try right-clicking on the link and
>> select "save as".
>>
>> Perhaps you could post a link to the page where this file can be found.
>>
>>
>> .
> I have gone to the webpage of the manufacture of the
> Toshiba camera where I find an upgrade for the media
> storage on my camera. The instructions are to download a
> file pdr_m4.bin from a link on their page. When I click
> on that link I get the message, unable to download as
> indicated in my previous messages. When asked if I want
> to download it anyway I reply yes and get a message that
> wants to know what program do I want to open it with.
> I don't know what to do from there. >

Are you selecting Save or Open from that download prompt? Choosing the Save
option will get the file onto your hard drive without the "what program
shall we open this with" prompt. You could also try a right click on the
download URL and select the Save Target option if that's easier for you to
do.

I searched the other night at Toshiba looking for some directions for you
but got stopped at support's front door where it asks for a logon. Using the
file name you included in this last message, I was able to use Google to
track down these two documents:
http://www.toshiba.com/taisisd/isd_svc/svcdsc/m4v02.htm
http://www.toshiba.com/taisisd/dsc/supportcenter/M4.html

I've only done a quick read of both to compare. They look pretty similar but
please check for yourself as well. There are very specific times for turning
the camera's power on/off and details about what buttons to push when.

What you are downloading is a firmware upgrade. There is a programmable chip
inside your camera. The BIN file will update the instructions that are
stored on the chip. The documents I referenced above say that the camera
will recognize the BIN file that you will copy from the hard drive to your
Smart Media. At the appropriate moment the camera will automatically start
the upgrade. There are some prompts that you will see as the upgrade
progresses. They are also described in the docs.

IMPORTANT: Be sure to use your external power source as directed. You do not
want the firmware upgrade interrupted until it is completed.

NOTE: After the upgrade is finished, you don't need the copy of the BIN file
on your hard drive and can delete it.

--
Sharon F
Microsoft MVP, Windows - Shell/User