StuffIt .sea file problems: a follow-up report

Dan Henton notes that a long-standing problem with generating segmented self-extracting archives (where you get a disk read, -39, error), which has been reported with previous versions of StuffIt Deluxe (see MacFixIt Archive posting), still exists with the latest 5.1.2 version. Aladdin has replied on this matter:

We are currently investigating reports of non-functionality when joining segmented StuffIt files. We have identified a single cause for the problems, and are testing the fix to ensure nothing else is going on before we release an update to rectify the problems.

Some users have reported problems joining segmented self-extracting files from floppy disks. When trying to expand the archive from floppies, the archive is reported as corrupt or a disk error (-39) occurs. The workaround for this problem is to copy all segments from all floppy disks to a single folder on the hard drive, and then expand the archive by double-clicking on the self-extracting (.sea) icon.

As always, check our FAQ page for additional troubleshooting advice.

David Shorter also writes regarding a .sea files error: When he tried to open the files, he got a Text Converter error. He thought this was related to a previously mentioned problem with .sea files: "Filenames in a folder are renamed when the sea file is opened." However, this is reported as fixed in the latest versions of StuffIt. Aladdin System Tech Support offered the following explanation and work-around suggestions:

The fix quoted in MacFixIt is a different issue experienced with non-segmented .sea's. There is still an issue with segmented .sea's that is sometimes resolved by copying each segment to a new folder on the hard drive then double clicking them [as also suggested just above]. Other times this does not work. We are working on the issue. In the meantime, there are a number of possible work-arounds depending on your resources at hand:

• Don't make the segments self-extracting. Segmented .sit's can be rejoined with Expander 5.1.x on the destination machine
• Don't segment the archive and use a higher volume media such as Zip Disk, Super Disk, Jaz, Syquest, etc.
• Don't segment the archive and transfer it electronically either as an email attachment or via ftp.