Restore Hidden Files

D

Dean M

Registered
Hi. A few weeks ago I used 'Tinker Toy' to 'show hidden files'. I thought some of these belonged to a program that I uninstalled several weeks ago, so I dragged them to the trash.

I later realized that they are probably related to 'Spotlight' or 'NotLight'. Trash does not have a 'restore' feature like Windows XP, and the files themselves don't say what folder they came from. So I dragged them all (about a dozen) to a folder I created for them on the desktop.
They all have titles like: .DS_Store 19-49-29, (the numbers being different for each file). and .localized 19-23-33, etc.

Info just tells me they are now on the desktop. Can anyone tell me if these numbers relate to a particular file? All I can do for now is keep them in the desktop folder, and when 'search' can't find something, try installing each one by one to see if it fits. Damned newbies!.......:) Dean M
 
Forget them - if you've deleted them, they're gone. And yes, they are metadata index files. They will be recreated when Spotlight indexes again.

Also, perhaps you shouldn't be running TinkerTool, or deleting hidden files, if you don't understand what they are. No offense meant, its just not wise to mess with the system unless you understand it. TinkerTool really isn't required. A Mac system, unlike a Windows PC, doesn't need a lot of maintenance and tweaking and certainly doesn't need add on programs like TinkerTool or Onyx. You won't have viruses or spyware, there won't be runaway mystery files, and the file system defragments itself, so just forget about all those third-party toolkits. On the Mac, unlike Windows, third party system utilities are a waste of time, effort and money.
 
'Trash does not have a 'restore' feature like Windows XP' - true.
Windoze (including XP) also has viruses, MacOS X does not. MacOS X has widgets, Windoze XP (currently) does not. etc., ...

Actually, the 'restore' feature of Windoze's recycle bin - is not a 'deleted item restore'; but, merely - a return an item not yet deleted to original folder (or similar location) placement feature.
With MacOS X, if you trash an item or items, you can perform a 'Finder' 'Edit, Undo' ('Command z') to return the trashed item(s) to its / their original location. However, if any additional item(s) is / are placed into the trash can - only the latest item(s) trashed can be returned to its / their original location.

'.... so just forget about all those third-party toolkits. On the Mac, unlike Windows, third party system utilities are a waste of time, effort and money.' - is a personal statement (by a respected poster); and, not shared by all Macintosh users.

'TinkerTool' is, as well as - many other utilities (capable of 'system level' setting changes or operations) are, quite useful. Many such applications are freeware (donation ware) or resonably priced shareware or commercial products.

As always - know what you are doing and accept the consequences of your actions.

-----

With respect to 'Spotlight', you can force it ('Spotlight') to re-index your hard disk drive(s).

01. Select the 'Apple, System Preferences' menu item; or, launch (open, run) 'System Preferences' from the '/Applications/' folder.
02. Click on the 'Spotlight' utility.
03. Click on 'Spotlight's 'Privacy' tab.
04. Drag the 'Finder' based hard disk drive(s)' icon(s) onto the list.
05. Click on the items you just added in Step 04, and press the <delete> key (or click on the '-' icon button).

Spotlight will now re-index the hard disk drive(s), dragged in Step 04. above.
 
'... what it (Symantec) calls a &#8220;low risk level&#8221; virus ...' - does not make the referred to code a virus.

If I were to visit ones residence, created an AppleScript or Perl script, or XCode executable, and then executed it - where it proceeded to delete files and folders throughout the Mac - would that code be deemed a 'virus'?

It appears that only 'Symantec' corporation has the 'Macarena' 'virus' (and related code), and without any specifics - stated only 'less than' 50 Macintoshes (worldwise) have been infected ... if (in actuality) any. At 'Symantec's own 'OSX.Macarena' web page the fewest 'Number of Infections' is listed at '0'.

According to 'TechWeb's article "'Macarena' Virus Targets Macs' - 'Symantec' has stated that the source code (of 'Macarena') 'has gone public'; yet, I have yet to successfully obtain a copy ... and I (and others) have been seeking it.

The 'TechWeb's article, also reprinted on may many web sites - almost verbatim, appears more as a 'Symantec' advertisement - then a news release.

Some may find the 'Arstechnica' 'New Mac "virus" is proof of concept that hysteria sells anti-virus software' article, equally amusing.

Other than 'Symantec's antivirus application (for the Mac), what other Macintosh 'anti-virus' application can detect, and remove, the 'Macarena' infection (?) and related infected files?

It is currently 12 days since the 'Macarena' discovery - how many Macintoshes are now infected? ... 'g/re/p'? (1) ... Symantec? ... anyone?

Please note, all questions are rhetorical.

The statement of 'Windoze (including XP) also has viruses, MacOS X does not.' remains accurate.

-----

(1) - Not to be taken personally. I do find your replies quite informative.

Also ... I barhar have approved this reply.
 
I didn't think it was a real virus either - i just wanted to
see what kind of response i would get.:)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top