Help with .rar vs .7z

tomoose · 01-02-09, 05:14 PM

In true MS fashion I hit a roadblock with simply trying to transfer TMO from a desktop to a laptop. Both are new Vista machines.
Here's the problem;
The TMO file is .RAR on the desktop. I copied it to a CD where, on the desktop and the CD, it shows as a .RAR file. I take the CD put it in the brand spankin' new laptop and the file shows as a .7z file which when double-clicked promptly creates an error message from Vista saying it can't find the associated program. Un-friggin'-believable!!!!

So I cannot 'extract' it to my laptop harddrive. What am I missing?
Any suggestions, advice are GREATLY appreciated.

SteamWake · 01-02-09, 06:03 PM

Convert the orginal file to a .7z ?

Seems like not a day goes by I dont hear some kind of issue with Vista.

tomoose · 01-02-09, 06:18 PM

but no joy. I've since found a website with .7z compression files. I'll download that utility and tranfer it to the laptop.

Soundman · 01-02-09, 07:16 PM

Try running RAR and finding the path to the file, add it to the archives. In other words open the file through RAR instead of clicking on the file itself. The other program probably got set as the default program for zip files. It really shouldn't matter what program you use as long the files are unzipped to the proper location. You may want to install RAR on the laptop. This is no different than what media player you use for video, it's not a "Vista" problem.

tomoose · 01-02-09, 07:25 PM

....but I think, believe it or not, that the Vista on the laptop doesn't have the RAR program! (I'm not sure whether to be pissed at MS or HP). The files are showing as .RAR on the CD in the desktop but when the CD is inserted into the laptop they show as .7z (go figure). So, annoyingly, my laptop with Vista is changing the file extenstions of the .RAR files on the CD to .7z when reading the CD but Vista subsequently won't open them as it won't "recognize" the required utility. Kind of a 'chicken and egg' situation LOL.

Soundman · 01-02-09, 07:38 PM

You are correct, you need to download and install RAR, it does not come with windows. Pop that baby in and you will be good to go ! I had to do the same thing.

BTW, are you a Moose? As in Loyal Order of ?

01-02-09, 05:14 PM	#1
tomoose Grey Wolf Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 930 Downloads: 23 Uploads: 0	Help with .rar vs .7z In true MS fashion I hit a roadblock with simply trying to transfer TMO from a desktop to a laptop. Both are new Vista machines. Here's the problem; The TMO file is .RAR on the desktop. I copied it to a CD where, on the desktop and the CD, it shows as a .RAR file. I take the CD put it in the brand spankin' new laptop and the file shows as a .7z file which when double-clicked promptly creates an error message from Vista saying it can't find the associated program. Un-friggin'-believable!!!! So I cannot 'extract' it to my laptop harddrive. What am I missing? Any suggestions, advice are GREATLY appreciated.

01-02-09, 06:18 PM	#3
tomoose Grey Wolf Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 930 Downloads: 23 Uploads: 0	I tried converting to .rar but no joy. I've since found a website with .7z compression files. I'll download that utility and tranfer it to the laptop.

01-02-09, 07:16 PM	#4
Soundman Commodore Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Orlando, Fl Posts: 617 Downloads: 60 Uploads: 0	Try running RAR and finding the path to the file, add it to the archives. In other words open the file through RAR instead of clicking on the file itself. The other program probably got set as the default program for zip files. It really shouldn't matter what program you use as long the files are unzipped to the proper location. You may want to install RAR on the laptop. This is no different than what media player you use for video, it's not a "Vista" problem. Last edited by Soundman; 01-02-09 at 07:23 PM.

01-02-09, 07:25 PM	#5
tomoose Grey Wolf Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 930 Downloads: 23 Uploads: 0	I'll give it a shot... ....but I think, believe it or not, that the Vista on the laptop doesn't have the RAR program! (I'm not sure whether to be pissed at MS or HP). The files are showing as .RAR on the CD in the desktop but when the CD is inserted into the laptop they show as .7z (go figure). So, annoyingly, my laptop with Vista is changing the file extenstions of the .RAR files on the CD to .7z when reading the CD but Vista subsequently won't open them as it won't "recognize" the required utility. Kind of a 'chicken and egg' situation LOL.

01-02-09, 07:38 PM	#6
Soundman Commodore Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Orlando, Fl Posts: 617 Downloads: 60 Uploads: 0	You are correct, you need to download and install RAR, it does not come with windows. Pop that baby in and you will be good to go ! I had to do the same thing. BTW, are you a Moose? As in Loyal Order of ? Last edited by Soundman; 01-02-09 at 07:41 PM.

01-02-09, 06:03 PM	#2
SteamWake Rear Admiral Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 13,224 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Convert the orginal file to a .7z ? Seems like not a day goes by I dont hear some kind of issue with Vista.