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Converter Applications for .IMA files
#42975 12/01/16 03:45 AM
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Does anyone have an app (or know of a way) to convert files with the .ima or .IMA extension to a format which OS X can read?


Many thanks,
MG2009
Re: Converter Applications for .IMA files
MG2009 #42977 12/01/16 01:24 PM
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Have you googled it...I think you will find something there. jaybass


OS 13.6.4 iMac (Retina 5K, 27", 2017, 3.4 GHz Intel Core i5, 24 GB RAM, 2400 MHz DDR4. SuperDuper. 1 TB Lacie HD
Re: Converter Applications for .IMA files
MG2009 #42980 12/01/16 02:29 PM
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Originally Posted By: MG2009
Does anyone have an app (or know of a way) to convert files with the .ima or .IMA extension to a format which OS X can read?

".IMA"'s most common use appears to be for disk or partition image files, though it's not unusual for random apps to pick a file extension for their documents that's already commonly used elsewhere.

You could TRY changing the extension to DMG or IMG and see if disk utility likes it. Absolutely no guarantees.


I work for the Department of Redundancy Department
Re: Converter Applications for .IMA files
MG2009 #42985 12/01/16 05:53 PM
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Originally Posted By: MG2009
Does anyone have an app (or know of a way) to convert files with the .ima or .IMA extension to a format which OS X can read?


"IMA files can be opened by WinImage, Nero Burning Rom and Microsoft Virtual Machine. The IMA file extension is also used for a vector graphics file format used by Ego and Chart software."


On a Mac since 1984.
Currently: 24" M1 iMac, M2 Pro Mac mini with 27" BenQ monitor, M2 Macbook Air, MacOS 14.x; iPhones, iPods (yes, still) and iPads.
Re: Converter Applications for .IMA files
Virtual1 #43221 12/17/16 07:08 PM
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I tried simply changing the extension and got a disk image error message : "no mountable file systems"


Many thanks,
MG2009
Re: Converter Applications for .IMA files
Ira L #43222 12/17/16 07:14 PM
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"IMA files can be opened by WinImage, Nero Burning Rom and Microsoft Virtual Machine. The IMA file extension is also used for a vector graphics file format used by Ego and Chart software."

-----------------


Clarification: These all appear to be WINDOWS programs for PCs.

I am looking for an application which will open .ima files on my MacBook Pro.

Re: Converter Applications for .IMA files
jaybass #43223 12/17/16 07:17 PM
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Yes . . . I have Googled it. Nothing useable surfaced so this is why I placed my inquiry in this forum.

P.S. First tried the trial version of CodeWeaver's CROSSOVER application which "claims" it can open Windows programs (e.g. WinImage) on a Mac. It doesn't, BTW. Also, MacroPlant's ADAPTER application does not convert .ima to .jpg (i.e. get a "not compatible" error message). NCH's "Pixillion" and "Doxillion" do NOT work either.

Googling has not provided an answer, so I thought perhaps someone on this forum may have had a similar issue and actually FOUND a solution. grin

Re: Converter Applications for .IMA files
MG2009 #43228 12/17/16 11:27 PM
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I did talk to one PC guy and his suggestion was to buy a cheap PC and network it to the Mac. At the going price for some :bottom feeder" PCs that may not be as ridiculous as it sounds at first. A quick check at Walmart found refurbished Lenovas for as little as $87 (bring your own mouse, keyboard, and monitor).

If you find yourself working with a lot of odd ball Windows only formatted files, it might be worth getting one and running it headless.


If we knew what it was we were doing, it wouldn't be called research, would it?

— Albert Einstein
Re: Converter Applications for .IMA files
MG2009 #43236 12/19/16 04:56 PM
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File extensions are merely "suggestions" as to what app may open the file. Few are more ambiguous than "DMG" and "IMG". Shrinkwrap was infamous for making IMG files that only it could open, and THEN only by using the correct version of their software. Often newer versions could not open older files. All were ending in .IMG, an extension that was used by several other apps at the time, including apple's own fledgling disk utility. Which led to me having to have three different versions of the software on hand to cover MOST of the possibilities.

The next step may be to give us a dump of the start of the file, to see if we can recognize the "magic" at the start.

in terminal, type:
Code:
dd bs=256 count=1 if=


do not hit return. drag and drop the file into the terminal window so terminal enters the full path for you. then add to the end of the line and hit return:
Code:
 | xxd -c 16


it will look something like
Code:
dd bs=256 count=1 if=/Users/falken/Desktop/mydisk.img | xxd -c 16


post the results. please use the CODE tag to format it. This is an example of what you can see with that, viewing a store file here:
Code:
WOPR:~ falken $ dd bs=256 count=1 if=/Users/falken/Desktop/mydisk.img | xxd -c 16
1+0 records in
1+0 records out
256 bytes transferred in 0.000029 secs (8801162 bytes/sec)
00000000: 0000 0001 4275 6431 0000 2800 0000 0800  ....Bud1..(.....
00000010: 0000 2800 0000 100c 0000 0108 0000 200b  ..(........... .
00000020: 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0800  ................
00000030: 0000 0800 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000  ................
00000040: 0000 0000 0000 0003 0000 0001 0000 002a  ...............*
00000050: 0000 0003 0000 1000 6277 7370 626c 6f62  ........bwspblob
00000060: 0000 00c9 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000  ................
00000070: 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000  ................
00000080: 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000  ................
00000090: 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000  ................
000000a0: 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000  ................
000000b0: 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000  ................
000000c0: 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000  ................
000000d0: 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000  ................
000000e0: 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000  ................
000000f0: 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000  ................



I work for the Department of Redundancy Department
Re: Converter Applications for .IMA files
MG2009 #43263 12/23/16 05:30 AM
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Originally Posted By: MG2009
Clarification: These all appear to be WINDOWS programs for PCs.

I am looking for an application which will open .ima files on my MacBook Pro.


Some more information would help. Where did you get this .ima file? What do you believe it is?

An .ima file is not a picture or photograph, like a JPEG. It is a file designed to be burned to a Windows CD-ROM, usually containing software that can only be run in Windows. I'm curious about where this file came from and what it is, and why you're trying to open it on a Mac. It's a bit like trying to open a .dmg on a Windows computer; there's usually little point to doing so.


Photo gallery, all about me, and more: www.xeromag.com/franklin.html
Re: Converter Applications for .IMA files
MG2009 #43264 12/23/16 03:15 PM
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A combination of
would allow you to open the file and use its contents on your MacBook Pro, but a cheap PC with Windows already installed would cost significantly less.

Last edited by joemikeb; 12/23/16 03:16 PM.

If we knew what it was we were doing, it wouldn't be called research, would it?

— Albert Einstein
Re: Converter Applications for .IMA files
joemikeb #43394 01/16/17 07:35 PM
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Thanks for the info.

However, I have only one set of IMA files to open . . . not really worth the expense of buying - even a cheap - Windows PC.

Was just hoping there would be a much lower-cost conversion alternative.

Re: Converter Applications for .IMA files
MG2009 #43395 01/16/17 08:58 PM
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Originally Posted By: MG2009
Was just hoping there would be a much lower-cost conversion alternative.

Have you tried opening your files on a friend's PC and moving their contents to your Mac?


The new Great Equalizer is the SEND button.

In Memory of Harv: Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~Voltaire
Re: Converter Applications for .IMA files
MG2009 #43397 01/17/17 08:02 PM
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Have you checked Magic Disc?

jaybass


OS 13.6.4 iMac (Retina 5K, 27", 2017, 3.4 GHz Intel Core i5, 24 GB RAM, 2400 MHz DDR4. SuperDuper. 1 TB Lacie HD
Re: Converter Applications for .IMA files
MG2009 #43399 01/17/17 08:29 PM
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Originally Posted By: MG2009
Was just hoping there would be a much lower-cost conversion alternative.

can you post that data I requested above?


I work for the Department of Redundancy Department
Re: Converter Applications for .IMA files
artie505 #43429 01/20/17 09:48 PM
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Good idea . . . except I do not have access to a WINDOWS PC.

Re: Converter Applications for .IMA files
jaybass #43430 01/20/17 09:50 PM
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I am not looking to open OR create a DMG . . . I am just looking to open a .IMA file.

Re: Converter Applications for .IMA files
MG2009 #43431 01/20/17 10:05 PM
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Originally Posted By: MG2009
Good idea . . . except I do not have access to a WINDOWS PC.

No access to a PC? You move in an excellent circle! grin


The new Great Equalizer is the SEND button.

In Memory of Harv: Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~Voltaire
Re: Converter Applications for .IMA files
artie505 #43433 01/20/17 10:12 PM
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No . . . I just don't have any friends. Hehehe.


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