executable file won't open

marie-p · 01-20-2005, 08:53 PM

I downloaded the install file for Win4Lin and when I try to open it, I get a message telling me that the file "is an executable program. For safety it will not be started."

How do I get around that?

(I'm using SuSE 9.1)

leonscape · 01-20-2005, 09:32 PM

Do you actually want to read the contents of the executable? is it a binary or a script?

Or do you want to execute it?

With what did you try to open it with?

tamoneya · 01-20-2005, 09:35 PM

If it is a .exe file which is for windows you will need to use a windows emulator like wine or cedega.

marie-p · 01-21-2005, 07:39 AM

I'm not trying to view the content, I'm trying to execute it.

I don't remember what file type it is (it's at home and I'm at work right now) but I'm pretty sure it's not .exe. I have WINE installed and I've had no problems opening .exe files.

When I clicked on it, it gives me the option of "save as" and "open with". I click on "open with" and that's when it gives me the error message. Before I can choose what software I want to use to open it.

leonscape · 01-21-2005, 08:45 AM

Do a ls -l against the file and check the permissions, it maybe set as an executable.

ls -l thefilename
-rwxr-xr-x 1 username username 200 2004-05-13 04:00 thefilename

To change it to a normal file do:
chmod -x thefilename

LasseW · 01-21-2005, 10:51 AM

Use the file command to see the file type

file <filename>

If it's a Linux executable you should see something like this:

ELF 32-bit LSB executable, Intel 80386, version 1 (SYSV), for GNU/Linux 2.2.5, dynamically linked (uses shared libs), stripped

If it's something else, please post the output here.

marie-p · 01-21-2005, 06:13 PM

ok... I'm dumb.

I forgot to log on as root before trying to install the software.

Times like this I wish I had a paper bag to put over my head.

Ah well, problem solved. Thanks anyways for the help.