I tried to download .hqx and .bin files to my Mac, but my web browser does not automatically decode .bin and .hqx files.

Our Mac files are encoded as MacBinary (.bin) or BinHex (.hqx). Usually your browser will decode these files automatically, but you must have StuffIt Expander. If you are a Mac OS 8-9 user and don't have StuffIt Expander, you can get a free copy from Aladdin. This program is installed by default with Mac OS X.

If you have StuffIt Expander and .hqx and .bin files are still not automatically decoded, try the following:

Using Internet Explorer and OS 8-9 or OS X:

NOTE: If you're not using it already, it's a good idea to download the current version of Internet Explorer.

In Internet Explorer, select "Preferences" from the "Edit" menu (OS 8-9) or the "Application menu" (OS X).

Select "Download Options" from the list to the left in the "Preferences" dialog.

Make sure the following checkboxes are ON:

[x] Automatically decode MacBinary files
[x] Automatically decode BinHex files

Select "File Helpers" from the list to the left in the "Preferences" dialog.

Make sure that the list contains entries for MacBinary and BinHex files. See the illustration below.

If there are no entries for MacBinary and BinHex files, click the "Add..." button and make Stuffit Expander the "Helper" application for those file types--make sure that "Application" is set to Stuffit Expander in both the "File Type" and "Handling" frames.

For BinHex files:

For MacBinary files:

Using Netscape and OS 8-9 or OS X:

NOTE: If you not using it already, it is a good idea to download the current version of Netscape.

Select "Preferences" from the "Edit" menu.

Select "Navigator...Helper Applications" from the "Category" list in the "Preferences" dialog.

Make sure you have assigned StuffIt Expander to open .bin and .hqx files--select the file type and choose "Edit...".

If there are no entries for MacBinary and BinHex files, click the "New" button and make Stuffit Expander the "Helper" application for those file types. Make the entries shown below. To set "Application", click "Choose" to find Stuffit Expander.

For BinHex files:

For MacBinary files:

If you still cannot decode .hqx and .bin files, drag and drop them onto StuffIt Expander.

We are not aware of problem downloading .hqx and .bin file with Safari.

However, in order to automatically decode archives make sure that