Will run in Automator, won't run as Finder plug-in

Here is my setup:
Desktop:Folder A:Folder B
I created a simple Automator workflow to:
move Folder B to the desktop,
copy Folder A to a thumb drive
move Folder B back into Folder A
(I want to copy Folder A to the thumb drive MINUS Folder B)
This script runs within Automator, but when I save it out as a Finder Plug-In and run it via right click, it gives me this error:
"AppleScript Error:
Can't make file "HD:Users:ThisUser:Desktop:Desktop" into type alias.
(-1700)"
This error appears after Folder B is moved the first time, but before Folder A is copied.
Any help?
Matthew

Matthew,
I am not quite sure why you are getting a path in the error message that has a duplicate "Desktop" but that is likely the source of your error.
Generally Automator workflows require some input and with the contextual Finder plug-in that normally means whatever is selected in the Finder at the time the workflow is run. This can be avoided by making the first Automator action ignore any input through selecting the "Ignore Results from Previous Action" command found for example in the Files/Folders drop-down menu at top right of the "Get Specified Finder Items".
Another way to do what you want without having to move folders:
1) Get Specified Finder Items - specify the parent folder of Folder A & B
2) Get Folder Contents
3) Filter Finder Items - specify "Whose" to Name Does not contain Folder B
This should give you a listing of items that includes only Folder A which could then be saved to the thumb drive by using the Copy Finder Items action.

Similar Messages

Automator won't stop restarting finder - "Run Shell Script"

This should be a tough one.... If something isn't clear, please ask.
I was trying to create a plug-in using Automator where I could turn on and off the hidden files on my system. It was supposed to show up by command clicking the desktop and it would be on the list. Somehow I messed up and it saved it somewhere. This is my first time using automator. I can tell you the steps and I need to reverse it. The link below shows what I was trying to do. Problem is that the post is old and the automator is a little different. I couldn't figure out how to save as plug-in. I saved as 2 applications where I can show all files and hide all files. It works when I click on the automator application, but I wanted to save as plug-in where I can do command click.
http://theappleblog.com/2007/04/30/quick-tip-showhide-hidden-files/
*What I ended up doing was setting up 'folder action' an tried to save on desktop. No file appeared on desktop so it saved somewhere.... Now, every certain amount of time, my desktop relaunches and shows all hidden files. I need to delete this ongoing occurrence.
Please help! Thanks!

Every time something is copied or saved to my desktop, the finder is relaunched and the hidden files are showing. Is there something I can reset or a setting I can delete?

The latest version screwed up my pc completely. Now after uninstalling, re-downloading, and running setup, it won't run the program at the end. Help please!

Running Windows 7.
At the end of setup asks if Admin or Current User. Since I don't know what the password is even though I'm the Admin / only person on the pc, I select Current User. After selecting OK, nothing happens. What now?

Do a clean reinstall and delete the Firefox program folder before (re)installing a fresh copy of the current Firefox release.
Download a fresh Firefox copy and save the file to the desktop.
*Firefox 21.0: http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all.html
Uninstall your current Firefox version, if possible, to cleanup the Windows registry and settings in security software.
*Do NOT remove personal data when you uninstall your current Firefox version, because all profile folders will be removed and you lose personal data like bookmarks and passwords from profiles of other Firefox versions.
Remove the Firefox program folder before installing that newly downloaded copy of the Firefox installer.
*(32 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\"
*(64 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\"
*It is important to delete the Firefox program folder to remove all the files and make sure that there are no problems with files that were leftover after uninstalling.
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Uninstalling_Firefox
Your bookmarks and other personal data are stored in the Firefox profile folder and won't be affected by an uninstall and (re)install, but make sure that "remove personal data" is NOT selected when you uninstall Firefox.
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_backup
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Standard_diagnostic_-_Firefox#Clean_reinstall

Java runtime environement won't run

I have a Lenovo T430 Thinkpad. I have Java (7u67) installed. The applet will run through the browser (firefox), but JRE won't run through the command line. I have a program that uses Java, but that program won't run because JRE won't run. I have uninstalled and reinstalled with no luck. I'm running Windows 7 enterprise. Any help would be appreciated.

ic, thanks for the clarification.
In my classpath, I didn't include the path to java's core classes/packages (java.awt, javax.swing, etc.), how would it know?
The above questions arise when I get an error running the jar executable. In this jar files, I included all the classes (but not the nttp and the core java packages). It complains that nttp is not found. I guess it knows where the core java classes but beside those, I need to include any other packages/classes within the jar file itself?
H:\Documents and Settings\Tommy\Desktop\classes\Spring03\pic20b\NewsgroupSearcher>more MakeJar.bat
jar -cvmf manifest.txt NewsgroupSearcher.jar *.class
H:\Documents and Settings\Tommy\Desktop\classes\Spring03\pic20b\NewsgroupSearcher>MakeJar.bat
H:\Documents and Settings\Tommy\Desktop\classes\Spring03\pic20b\NewsgroupSearcher>jar -cvmf manifest.txt NewsgroupSearcher.jar *.class
added manifest
adding: NewsgroupSearcher.class(in = 9331) (out= 5115)(deflated 45%)
H:\Documents and Settings\Tommy\Desktop\classes\Spring03\pic20b\NewsgroupSearcher>java -jar NewsgroupSearcher.jar
Exception in thread "main" java.lang.NoClassDefFoundError: gnu/inet/nntp/StatusResponse
thanks,
TT

Automator app won't run from double-click

automator app won't run from double-click in finder or from alert from ical. Will only run if I open in automator editor.
I found a solution on my own. I opened activity monitor and all the automator apps that I run daily were hanging up and the auromator launch was hanging up. I force quit them from the activity monitor. Now it works again.

I might have gotten there eventually on my own, but I suspect finding your post saved me a lot of work. Thanks for posting your solution.

Have Photoshop Elements from 2001. Got new computer with Windows 7 Professional 64 bit. It won't run on my new computer. What version is MOST SIMILAR to the old version I have, that will run on W7P-64? Thanks for any help. Popjer

Have Photoshop Elements from 2001. Got new computer with Windows 7 Professional 64 bit. It won't run on my new computer. What version is MOST SIMILAR to the old version I have, that will run on W7P-64? Thanks for any help. Popjer

You should probably just download the trial version of pse 12 and see if you can live with it.
Download a free trial or buy Adobe products | Adobe downloads
That being said, have you tried to install pse 1 on your computer?
How much free space is on your hard drive?
Do you have Internet Explorer 10 or 11?
Pse 1 can run on windows 7 x64, provided certain conditions are met.

List of older apps that will/won't run in OSX?

Hello all,
Is there a list of OS9 apps that will or won't run trouble-free in classic mode in OSX? For example, i would like to run Nanosaur on my new iMac.
many thanks

Use the search feature at http://versiontracker.com
Visit the vendors Web pages and look for updates.

Automator - Service won't run

Hi,
i have a very simple automator worklflow that i'd like to use as a service.. the workflow is:
get specified finder items
copy finder items
It works fine when run via automator but fails as a sevice.. i've seen people with similar problems and the responses, as far as i can tell, have never offered a solution or even been clear on wether or not it's possible to make this type of workflow into a service.
so, is it possible to use those actions as a service? if so, how
thanks

hey red.. thanks.
i don't have anything selected prior to running the service.
basically, i have an app which i'm beta testing..
the template files are inside its .app/contents..
i have a custom template that i like to put in there.. if my file is in there, i can open it via the app with ⌘N..
when the beta is updated, the .app is overwritten with the new version and my template is no longer in it.
so, just looking to put a service accessible via the app that will get my template (which i keep in a specified location) and put a copy of it in the app contents.
i know there are quite a few other ways to accomplish this but i'd like it to be a service.

I want to upgrade to snow leopard from 10.5.8. Im hesitant to proceed because I'm running iPhoto 7 and word 2004. I want to be sure these programs will still run and I won't lose my photos or the events I have ordered them by. Should i makea clone o

I want to upgrade to snow leopard from 10.5.8. Im hesitant to proceed because I'm running iPhoto 7 and word 2004. I want to be sure these programs will still run and I won't lose my photos or the events I have ordered them by. Should i make a partition on my new Iomega external and clone it just in case? I'm running time machine and backing up all the time onto an old LaCie, and right now I have a copy of my iPhoto library on new Iomega, which I recopy every couple of weeks. I got the computer new several years ago and it came with iLife and 10.4 OS I think.

Word 2004 is almost 10 years old, you will not be able to upgrade beyond Snow Leopard with it. IMHO you have gotten your money's worth out of the application and need to upgrade to Office for Mac 2011, this will work just fine and read your old files just fine too. What will not run beyond SL are all PowerPC (PPC) apps such as Word 2004. You will need to update, upgrade or replace any PPC based apps you want to use. I would recommend taking a little time and check for updates to each of your apps. Then open System Profiler (Applications - Utilities - System Profiler) click the Applications link on the left and then look for any PPC based apps, those are the ones that will not run. You can upgrade to SL just fine with the apps you currently have however if you want to go beyond SL (it's already 2 generations behind) you will need to update or upgrade your apps. You can take your time doing it but eventually you're going to have to begin

My non intel Mac runs OS10.5.6 but won't run Firefox 4.0, will I be able to run it at a later date or is my G5 ready for the graveyard?

Latest update says it won't run on my Mac (see question above) and current latest compatible version (3.6.17) will have full tech support for only a limited time now. Is there anything I can do to bring my Mac up to spec. Is it really a dinosaur already? Will I be able to run FF4.0 (or later) at a later dater date?
Any answers appreciated, thanks... B

Ah you have PPC version. Either you can keep using Firefox 3.6.* are try a third party version of Firefox 4.0.* at http://www.floodgap.com/software/tenfourfox/
The Firefox 4.0 and newer downloads contains the 32-bit and 64-bit version for Intel at moment.

Ever since I installed MAVERICK, nothing now works, Flash Player won't run, printer works but scanner will not and the computer runs so slow. Any help anywhere?

Ever since I installed MAVERICK, nothing now works, Flash Player won't run, printer works but scanner will not and the computer runs so slow. Any help anywhere?

wqn02h, first thing I would do is use Disk utility to repair permissions. Once this is done. Make sure you have the latest versions of the software you use. Also, check the manufacter of your printer/scanner for updated software. If they don't have updated software there are 3rd party alternatives that will work.
Paul

My MacBook Air won't load web pages from the internet. It will connect to phone hotspot and run fine. The apple store reset the library and network preferences and it ran fine for a little bit, now slow again. Any ideas?

My MacBook Air won't load web pages from the internet. It will connect to phone hotspot and run fine. The apple store reset the library and network preferences and it ran fine for a little bit, now slow again. Any ideas?

My MacBook Air won't load web pages from the internet. It will connect to phone hotspot and run fine. The apple store reset the library and network preferences and it ran fine for a little bit, now slow again. Any ideas?

I have a 4g touch. I updated ibook in itunes and now, every time I sync, I get the message that the app won't run in os6. Is there any way I can revert the app in itunes so I have the latest version that will work with OS6?

I recently updated ibook in my Itunes. Now, every time I sync, I get the message that it won't update the ipod as ibook won't run in OS6. Is there any way I can revert the ibook app in itunes so it quits trying to install the current ibook app. I am trying to stop getting the warning message. I am also concerned if I ever have to reinstall the app.

Delete the app from the iTunes library on your computer and then transfer the version from iPod to computer by:
iTunes Store: Transferring purchases from your iOS device or iPod to a computer

Automator shell script won't run

Hi,
I'm putting together a little Automator app that opens whenever I double-click on an .exe file and opens that file with wine. So far, however, I've had little luck. I've created a shell script automator app with the following script:
for f in "$@"
do
/usr/local/bin/wine "$f" &
done
Outside of Automator the script works just fine. However, as an Automator app it doesn't work at all; nothing happens, even though Automator tells me that that the workflow was successfully completely. What am I doing wrong?
Thanks,
Alex

Automator uses /bin/bash as the shell.
Running your script interactive has a different environment from running under Automator. For one thing, stdin/stdout/stderr are pointing to a tty (actually a pseudo device /dev/pty). Perhaps this is affecting how Wine us behaving.
Other issues might be where your current working directory is located, or some environment variable (such as PATH) that is not the same under Automator that exists when running interactively.
You might try capturing things like
( printenv
pwd
id -a
echo "\$# $#"
) >/tmp/automator.environment

Running an automator workflow w/o opening automator

Is it possible to run an automator workflow - (check addressbook for birthdays - then send a card) once a day without having to remember to open automator everyday (the whole point is I forget to do this in the first place, so I'm hoping automator can just take care of it). but I don't want to have to leave automator open all the time... I think I read something about using applescripts, but I havent played with them at all...
Thanks

Hmm, your idea sounds about right. If you created the birthday event in iCal yourself (i.e. it's not the Birthday calendar iCal provides from your Address Book), then you can add an alarm to it. In that case, you have some nice options and effects.
Since you would be adding the alarm to the birthday event, then the Automator workflow won't run every day and will only run when the birthday occurs. As for options, you can set the alarm for the event to activate at a specific time in reference to the event, e.g. the day before or perhaps around noon. (That is somewhat dependent on whether you made the event an all-day event or for a certain time, but it works either way and is pretty self evident.) You could also have it automatically occur a day late or even a week late.
As such, you might consider making the workflow be more specific. You could create a workflow specifically for that birthday, and in that case you'd just specify a person from your Address Book instead of searching it for birthdays. Just depends on how you want to approach it. Regardless, saving the workflow as plug-in in Automator will be the easy way to refer to it as an iCal alarm.
You mentioned iCal popping up reminders and that's an example of what an alarm can do if you set it that way, so you're probably familiar with them. However, you won't see that when you set the alarm to open a file (as in this case) unless you set a second alarm for the event to show a reminder. To add more alarms to the same event in iCal, you can click on the name "alarm" in the info drawer and it will give you a menu to add another alarm. You can also remove extra alarms in the same way. Wasn't sure if you knew that already.

Will run in Automator, won't run as Finder plug-in

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for