Volume / Removable Storage Icon on Desktop

bmac89 · bmac89 #1 (**permalink**)

06-26-2009, 11:09 PM

Hi,

When I open some programs in mac a white volume / storage icon appears on the desktop with the program files inside.

Why is this happening and how do I stop it.

Thanks

cwa107 · cwa107 #2 (**permalink**)

06-26-2009, 11:13 PM

Most Mac programs are distributed in "DMG" format. DMG stands for "Disk Image". When you open one of them, the file is mounted as virtual disk on your desktop. That disk opens just like a CD-ROM or a Hard Disk would. And once you're done installing the program (usually by dragging and dropping it into the Applications folder or by running its installer wizard), you may simply eject the virtual disk by dragging it to the trash.

In short, it's working exactly as intended, the concept is probably just a little unfamiliar if you're used to the Windows world.

Oneironaut · Oneironaut #3 (**permalink**)

06-27-2009, 01:23 AM

That's right. In Windows, volumes and hard drives are found under "My Computer" but on a Mac, they're automatically mounted onto the desktop.

dakineyj · dakineyj #4 (**permalink**)

06-27-2009, 05:26 AM

What they are trying to say is you haven't really installed the program yet, you are running it from the DMG.

Oneironaut · Oneironaut #5 (**permalink**)

06-27-2009, 01:57 PM

Ah yes. You have to install the app either by using its included installer OR by dragging the app icon into the Applications folder. Then drag the disk image into the trash and open up the app from the Applications folder instead.

cwa107 #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 20, 2006 Location: Middletown, Pennsylvania Posts: 25,951 Mac Specs: 15" MBP, Core i7/2GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB Crucial M4 SSD	06-26-2009, 11:13 PM Most Mac programs are distributed in "DMG" format. DMG stands for "Disk Image". When you open one of them, the file is mounted as virtual disk on your desktop. That disk opens just like a CD-ROM or a Hard Disk would. And once you're done installing the program (usually by dragging and dropping it into the Applications folder or by running its installer wizard), you may simply eject the virtual disk by dragging it to the trash. In short, it's working exactly as intended, the concept is probably just a little unfamiliar if you're used to the Windows world. Liquid and computers don't mix. It might seem simple, but we see an incredible amount of people post here about spills. Keep drinks and other liquids away from your expensive electronics!
	QUOTE Thanks

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bmac89 #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 03, 2009 Posts: 26	06-26-2009, 11:09 PM Hi, When I open some programs in mac a white volume / storage icon appears on the desktop with the program files inside. Why is this happening and how do I stop it. Thanks
	QUOTE Thanks

dakineyj #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 24, 2007 Location: Kailua Kona, HI Posts: 878 Mac Specs: MBP 15", 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB RAM, OS X 10.8.2, iPad 1, 80gb iPod, ATV 1, iPhone 5	06-27-2009, 05:26 AM What they are trying to say is you haven't really installed the program yet, you are running it from the DMG.
	QUOTE Thanks

Oneironaut #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 23, 2009 Posts: 1,262 Mac Specs: 21" iMac * 2.8 Ghz Intel Core i7 * 16GB 1333 Mhz DDR3 * 1TB HD *AMD Radeon HD 6770M 512 MB	06-27-2009, 01:57 PM Ah yes. You have to install the app either by using its included installer OR by dragging the app icon into the Applications folder. Then drag the disk image into the trash and open up the app from the Applications folder instead.
	QUOTE Thanks

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