TechNote (Archived)

Trouble installing extensions for Dreamweaver

About Extensions

Extensions allow you to easily add new features and capabilities to Dreamweaver. These potentially new capabilities include, for instance, reformatting tables, instantly embedding QuickTime movies, and connecting to back end databases. The Extension Manager (which comes preinstalled in Dreamweaver 4) installs the extensions in Dreamweaver. You can find hundreds of Dreamweaver extensionsavailable for download (mostly for free) at Macromedia Exchange. For more information about extensions and the Extension Manager, see the Frequently Asked Questions and What is an Extension? links on the Exchange's introductory page.

Troubleshooting extension installation difficulties

Users occasionally experience difficulty while trying to install an extension. Several factors can disrupt or prevent a successful installation. Below you will find a list of possible issues as well as suggested solutions.

• Corrupt download
• Incorrect platform
• Extension incompatibility
• Extension Manager incompatibility
• Extension problems
• System conflicts

Solutions

Corrupt download

An incomplete transfer could have left you with a bad file. Or, a newer version of the extension may have been posted to the Macromedia Exchange since you last downloaded. Download the extension again.

Incorrect platform

All extensions to Macromedia Dreamweaver are MXP files. However, most extensions have separate versions for Windows and Macintosh. Select the proper file for your operating system before downloading the extension.

Extension incompatibility

Make sure that the extension is designed to work on your platform or with your version of the software. Some extensions require a certain version of Dreamweaver, while others are designed only for one operating system rather than for both.

Extension Manager incompatibility

Dreamweaver 4/Dreamweaver UltraDev 4 and later installs a version of the Extension Manager. Dreamweaver 3 users must install the Extension Manager. Users with any version of the Extension Manager may need to download the latest version from the Macromedia Exchange.

To determine the version of the Extension Manager you are using, launch the Extension Manager. Then choose Help > About Macromedia Extension Manager (Windows) or choose About Macromedia Extension Manager from the Apple menu (Macintosh).

Extension problems

When there is trouble with a specific extension, users often post messages to each other and to that extension's developer. You can read these messages on the extension's page at Macromedia Exchange. Check the conversation threads on the page from which you downloaded the extension to see if others have experienced similar difficulties or if anyone had figured out a workaround.

System conflicts

If you are still have problems installing an extension, please try the following steps designed to overcome any system conflicts which may be interfering with the Extension Manager's operation.

Launching the Extension Manager in Windows

1. Close down all programs, including Macromedia Dreamweaver and the Macromedia Extension Manager.
2. Go to the system tray (a small row of icons next to the clock, at the bottom right of the desktop).
3. Right click on each icon, and choose Close or Exit whenever available in the contextual menu.
4. Press Control-Alt-Delete once to bring up the Task Manager.
5. Continue to select each application listed in the Task Manager and click End Task until only explorer andsystray are left.
6. Choose Start > Programs > Extension Manager to launch the application. In Dreamweaver 4 you can launch the Extension Manager by choosing Commands > Manage Extensions.
7. Make sure the proper version of Dreamweaver is selected in theProduct drop-down list.
8. Choose File > Install Extension.
9. Browse to select the MXP file you downloaded in the Select Extension to Install dialog box.
10. Click Install.
11. Click Accept if you accept.

Launching the Extension Manager on the Macintosh

1. Close down all applications, including Macromedia Dreamweaver and the Macromedia Extensions Manager.
2. Choose Apple Menu > Control Panels > Extensions Manager.
3. Choose Mac OS Base for Selected Set.
4. Click OK.
5. Restart your computer.
6. Open the Macromedia Extension Manager folder on your hard drive.
7. Select the Extension Manager application icon.
8. With no other applications running, launch the Macromedia Extension Manager.
9. Make sure the proper version of Dreamweaver is selected in the Product pop-up list, and browse to the MXP file you downloaded.
10. Choose File > Install Extension.
11. Browse to select the MXP file you downloaded in the Select Extension to Install dialog box.
12. Click Install.
13. Click Accept if you accept.

Additional information

For general information about extensions, see Adding extensions to Dreamweaver.

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