[Solved] Installer icon on MacOS Desktop

[DavidCishere]

Just installed Open office on MacBook Pro. An icon for OpenOffice is properly displayed on "The Dock". However, there is now also an annoying OpenOffice Icon on the desktop. I have tried dragging it to "Trash"......However, i then get the following message: "The disk "OpenOffice" couldn't be ejected because "OpenOffice" is using it. Quit that application and try to eject the disk again."
There is no disk in the drive. All OpenOffice documents are closed. How do I remove this icon from my desktop since dragging it to trash creates the above error message?

[MrProgrammer]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

However, there is now also an annoying OpenOffice Icon on the desktop.

It's there because you opened the disk image containing the OpenOffice installation files. It will stay there until you eject the disk image.

There is no disk in the drive.

The message refers to a virtual disk image, not a physical disk. You can learn more about disk images in your Mac's Help files, specifically those for the Disk Utility application, though it could be called something different in Mac OS X 10.4, which I've never used myself.

The disk "OpenOffice" couldn't be ejected because "OpenOffice" is using it. Quit that application and try to eject the disk again.

All OpenOffice documents are closed.

OK, all the documents are closed. But did you Quit the application as the message directed? If you are not familiar with Macs, and don't know how to do that, you should get more Mac training. Click the application in the Dock and use OpenOffice > Quit (⌘Q). Or use ⌘Tab, select OpenOffice and, while still holding ⌘, press Q. Or long click OpenOffice in the Dock and select Quit from the menu. Or log off your Mac and log in again. It's possible that some of those methods aren't implemented in Mac OS X 10.4.

How do I remove this icon from my desktop since dragging it to trash creates the above error message?

Once you quit OpenOffice, you will be able to drag the disk image's icon to the Trash. Performing that action on a disk image ejects it. Or you can select it in Finder and use File > Eject (⌘E). Or you can ⌘click the disk image and select Eject from the context menu.

If this answered your question please go to your first post use the Edit button and add [Solved] to the start of the title. You can select the green checkmark icon at the same time.

[tom2323]

I have same issue -- I tried shutting Open Office, and I was then able to eject the Open Office icon, but when I reopened Open Office, the icon again appears on my desktop, and it can't be thrown away -- what step am I missing?

thank you

[lgusaas]

I have same issue -- I tried shutting Open Office, and I was then able to eject the Open Office icon, but when I reopened Open Office, the icon again appears on my desktop, and it can't be thrown away -- what step am I missing?

thank you

Did you install Apache OpenOffice after you downloaded it? Or are you trying to use it from the .dmg file you downloaded?

[tom2323]

I don't know! How can I tell?

[lgusaas]

I don't know! How can I tell?

Open Finder
Click on your Application Folder
Look for OpenOffice.app
If you find it AOO is installed.
The installation disk image is named "Apache_OpenOffice_4.1.1_MacOS_x86-64_install_en-US.dmg"

Perhaps a good basic book on using OS X would be useful.

[tom2323]

this is in my applications folder:

Apache_OpenOffice_incubating_3.4.0_MacOS_x86_install_en-US.dmg

[lgusaas]

this is in my applications folder:

Apache_OpenOffice_incubating_3.4.0_MacOS_x86_install_en-US.dmg

You haven't installed Apache OpenOffice.

A query to Mac Help in Finder would have found the following.

To install apps downloaded from the Internet, double-click the disk image or package file (looks like an open box). If the provided installer doesn’t open automatically, open it, then follow the onscreen instructions.
If you get a warning dialog about installing an app from an unidentified developer, see Open an app from an unidentified developer.

[tom2323]

thankyou -- hard drive problem last year, used to have it installed!

[tom2323]

I downloaded Open Office -- newer version, 174 mb or something like that -- but icon still appears -- I don't get it; used it for years without an icon problem;
please don't advise me to read an OS operating manual or the like -- for 25 years I've never been able to read those things, they're like a foreign language;
I do much better asking people what to do, and following their instructions

any advice here is much appreciated, thank you

[lgusaas]

I downloaded Open Office -- newer version, 174 mb or something like that -- but icon still appears -- I don't get it; used it for years without an icon problem;
please don't advise me to read an OS operating manual or the like -- for 25 years I've never been able to read those things, they're like a foreign language;
I do much better asking people what to do, and following their instructions

any advice here is much appreciated, thank you

Did you install it? I gave instructions in my previous post. After you install it you can eject the .dmg file and move it to trash.

Read a good basic book on using OS X. You will save yourself a lot of time, and not waste the time of others solving simple problems. As I said before, instructions for installing applications are in the Help files that come with your Mac.

[tom2323]

Obviously, I thought I installed it -- I went to the Open Office site, clicked Download, watched it install.
Is it for you to say which problems are "simple" and which aren't? Are there guidelines for this forum somewhere,
written so explicitly that one person's "simple" can never be another person's "difficult"?

If you think it's a "waste of time" to "solve" (actually it wasn't solved, was it?) a particular problem,
no one is forcing you to spend a second of your time. I thought forums such as this were created for anyone
struggling with an Open Office issue, regardless of whether one person deems that issue to be small or big, silly or legitimate.
Please keep your snide and pompous attitude to yourself.

[lgusaas]

Obviously, I thought I installed it -- I went to the Open Office site, clicked Download, watched it install.

You have to install it AFTER you downloaded. I gave the instructions in a previous post. I'll repeat them again":
To install apps downloaded from the Internet, double-click the disk image or package file (looks like an open box). If the provided installer doesn’t open automatically, open it, then follow the onscreen instructions.
If you get a warning dialog about installing an app from an unidentified developer, see Open an app from an unidentified developer.

Is it for you to say which problems are "simple" and which aren't? Are there guidelines for this forum somewhere,
written so explicitly that one person's "simple" can never be another person's "difficult"?

There is a Survival Guide for the forum, which should be read by new users. viewtopic.php?f=50&t=166
The first item is "Try a search first". How to install AOO has been explained before in many different threads.

If you think it's a "waste of time" to "solve" (actually it wasn't solved, was it?) a particular problem,

Gee! Did you actually follow the instructions I gave? If you had, your problem would have been solved.

Please keep your snide and pompous attitude to yourself.

No. Do you start driving a car without learning what all the controls do and how to operate them?

Studying a good basic book on your operating system would enable you to understand how it functions and how to follow basic instructions on fixing problems.

[tom2323]

You can't relate to minds for which this stuff doesn't come naturally --
you're certain that simply reading enough instructions will provide
the answers -- but I'm far from alone in being someone who can't
glean useful information from such writing - it's never, ever written
in such a way that computes, so to speak. I've tried many times --
always thinking I'm just not trying hard enough, or over-thinking it,
or somehow doing something wrong. In any case, virtually every time
I've had a problem, the only relief I find is in a format similar to this,
where at some point someone comes along who can translate the same
information into language I can process. I may well have not followed
your instructions -- but obviously I thought I had; another person might
have been able to figure out what I did wrong yet again, or perhaps seen
where their own instructions might have been less than clear, or, realized
they still needed to ask me more questions about my issue. You are not
that person.

[Hagar Delest]

Sorry but Larry is one (if not the most) power user for all the Mac related issues in this forum.

Issues are usually solved with Larry's explanations.
So I strongly suggest you read again his advices calmly without the emotional load.

[tom2323]

There was no emotional load before there was his attitude. No one is questioning his
knowhow. His kindness, warmth, understanding, empathic nature? Plenty of questions about those.
Please don't reply.

[tom2323]

For the record: I did follow his instructions -- an icon appears, dmg -- double clicking it appeared to open Open Office, and an OO window popped up. I then double click the Open Office symbol within that window, and I'm asked whether I want to trust this -- yes I do -- then a progress bar appears, finishes, and then I can use OO in every way. But the icon is again on my desktop. So if I'm not actually opening it, I need to be led properly to a successful open, because at this point I'm lost.
I did try the search function, as he suggested -- twice -- and immediately I'm immersed in a sea of unrelated information -- I imagine I could spend time in there and eventually find posts about opening OO, but to find one with my particular issue -- I'm guessing it'll be a needle in a haystack. I ask him not to suggest reading an operating manual or the like, because I can't understand them, and yet he then immediately suggests I read an book on OS!

People like me -- obviously to Larry's frustration -- look for quick answers -- we know we can spend many minutes or hours poring through mind-numbing quantities of data -- but it's like a nightmare to us. And for over 20 years I've been able to get the quick info I need through forums like this, simply by posing my problem. Once in a while you run into someone like Larry, who immediately tires of the ineptitude, and doesn't see why the person doesn't first properly search and read up on his/her problem. I'm sure if he was in the room with me, he'd have a solution and OO downloaded properly on my laptop in about 60 seconds. By definition, "teaching", or "instructing", or even merely helping implies that the student lacks information and/or knowhow. To be a truly helpful instructor, this dynamic requires a "teacher" who actually ENJOYS helping others -- even when those others can't process the information as readily as the expert ever could. There are many, many people who have great patience with people and are thus able to walk them through things the teacher can easily grasp, and wouldn't think of admonishing someone for something that doesn't come as naturally to them. When I said I downloaded Open Office, he asks whether I installed it -- another person would've easily inferred that I must certainly have either tried to install it, or took some action that to my mind meant that I did indeed install it. But that was the juncture where instead, he lost patience -- lacked any ability to empathize -- and saw me only as someone who must not have followed his instructions. I'm still in the same spot I was in at the start -- and if I've asked perhaps 20 questions over the last 20 years in online forums, this is the first time I can remember encountering such a rigamarole of deflected help and attitude.

[lgusaas]

For the record: I did follow his instructions -- an icon appears, dmg -- double clicking it appeared to open Open Office, and an OO window popped up. I then double click the Open Office symbol within that window, and I'm asked whether I want to trust this -- yes I do -- then a progress bar appears, finishes, and then I can use OO in every way. But the icon is again on my desktop. So if I'm not actually opening it, I need to be led properly to a successful open, because at this point I'm lost.

Ah, details on what you actually have done. Useful to know in order to provide a solution.
After opening the .dmg file you downloaded, drag the OpenOffice.org icon to your applications folder in Finder. Or drag ti on top of the Application icon in the window you opened. It is a a shortcut to install OpenOffice to you Applications folder. Then you can eject the .dmg file and then move it to Trash.

This is the basic way to install most applications on a Mac. It is something every Mac user should know. That is why I recommend getting a good basic book on using OS X. The "Teach Yourself VISUALLY" and "Dummies" series from Wiley publications are very good.

[RoryOF]

People like me -- obviously to Larry's frustration -- look for quick answers -- we know we can spend many minutes or hours poring through mind-numbing quantities of data -- but it's like a nightmare to us. And for over 20 years I've been able to get the quick info I need through forums like this, simply by posing my problem. Once in a while you run into someone like Larry, who immediately tires of the ineptitude, and doesn't see why the person doesn't first properly search and read up on his/her problem. I'm sure if he was in the room with me, he'd have a solution and OO downloaded properly on my laptop in about 60 seconds.

This is an OpenOffice support forum. We do not undertake, or expect, to have to teach the querist how to use his computer at the most fundamental level. You have used a computer for 20 years? I'm reminded of the comment attributed to Talleyrand about the Bourbon dynasty - "They have learned nothing and forgotten nothing."

[tom2323]

Reminiscences abound! I was just reminded of the words of Eric Hoffer: "Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength."

[RoryOF]

I don't see that anyone has been rude - I, to deal only with my own reply, have merely pointed out the fundamental object of this forum, and emphasised the cumulated experience you gained over more than 20 years. But if you wish to consider my posting as rudeness, feel free.