Problem with copying to external drives 10.8.3 "the operation can't be completed because an item with the name .ds_store exists"

After upgrading from 10.7.5 to 10.8.3 I cannot copy certain folders to any external drive. the operation can't be completed because an item with the name .ds_store exists. I have seen this problem in discussions for many years with no real solution. Does anyone have a resolution? Please help. This is very frustrating as I work in two locations and copy folders back in forth all the time.

Please read this whole message before doing anything.
This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
The purpose of the test is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party software that loads automatically at startup or login, or by a peripheral device.
Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.
Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including Wi-Fi on certain iMacs. The next normal boot may also be somewhat slow.
The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin. Test while in safe mode. Same problem? After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

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Cannot backup my files / copy my files and folders due to error message " The operation can't be completed because an item with the name ".DS_Store" already exists. "

Hi Apple community!
I have a [rather worrying] problem.
When I try to copy all my files from my documents on my mac [or the entire documents folder] into an external drive, I get this error message
" The operation can’t be completed because an item with the name “.DS_Store” already exists. "
I am not given an option to skip this file or anything else.
But I simply cannot complete the operation!
I have tried deleting a few of the .ds_store files, [both in the original and in the destinations]
but no success.
The same thing keeps happening.
At first, this was just happening when I was trying to backup to my dropbox folder [the one on my mac's harddrive, which gets synced to the cloud],
but then I tried to back up my documents to my external hard drive, and I realized it is giving me the same error message.
So effectively, it seems I cannot backup my files anywhere!
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

Please read this whole message before doing anything.
This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
The purpose of the test is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party software that loads automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, or by corruption of certain system caches.
Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. Note: If FileVault is enabled on some models, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.
Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain iMacs. The next normal boot may also be somewhat slow.
The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin. Test while in safe mode. Same problem? After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

Error message "The operation can't be completed because an item with the name .DS_Store already exists"

Major headaches with copying files and folders between drives. I constantly (and I mean constantly) have to resort to copying files across in small batches (fewer than 10 works best) because anytime I try to copy lots of files and folders from my mac to an external hard drive (or from one external HD to a second external HD), I ALWAYS get the error message "The operation can't be completed because an item with the name .DS_Store already exists".
The files and folders are all Mac-generated, so hint or trace of foreign OSs in the mix.
All file types are susceptible
the HDs are all Mac OS X formatted, no foreign file formats involved
the HDs are all journal-enabled, OS X extended formats
have looked on here for previous posts, past suggestion was to disable creation of DS_Store files - not really a solution and realistically, defeats the purpose of their creation
any ideas anyone?
would appreciate any thoughts or sugestions, this has got me beat
the context is that I have a lot of image files that I am copying (trying to...) new external 3TB drives for backup and the job appears endless if I have to do this in batches of 10 or so..!
many thanks for any suggestions

This is definitively a nuisance. When copying large amounts of files between volumes try opening a terminal window and use use ditto. You need to type the directory paths of the source and the destination volume. When it starts ditto just coupes and optionally overwrites anything on the destination. You can get a verbose mode where it lists all activities.
gunnars-mac-mini-i7:Volumes gunnar$ man ditto
NAME
     ditto -- copy directory hierarchies, create and extract archives
SYNOPSIS
     ditto [-v] [-V] [-X] [<options>] src ... dst_directory
     ditto [-v] [-V] [<options>] src_file dst_file
     ditto -c [-z | -j | -k] [-v] [-V] [-X] [<options>] src dst_archive
     ditto -x [-z | -j | -k] [-v] [-V] [<options>] src_archive ... dst_directory
     ditto -h | --help

The operation can't be completed because an item with the name ".DS_Store" already exists

I everytime get this error when i try to copy files/ folders from my Macbook pro to my External Hard Drive
What is wrong ?
why do i get this error
Can any one help
Satish Ramnani

If you've installed a system modification called "TotalFinder," remove it according to the developer's instructions after backing up all data. Log out, log back in, and try again.
Otherwise, open the Info dialog on both the source and the destination volumes. What is the Format of each? For example, it might be "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)".
For some other possible solutions, see:
operation can't be completed because an...: Apple Support Communities

Can't copy Aperature Library to external. Get this error "The operation can't be completed because an item is being modified."

I have been trying to find a solution to this problem by browsing this forum but I can't seem to find a solution.
As many others have decided to do I want to copy my Aperature library to an external FW 800 drive as my laptop space is dwindling. It seems all you need to do is copy the Library from the finder which can also be revealed in the preference if Aperature. When copying it seems to transfer for a few seconds but then I get this error "The operation can’t be completed because an item is being modified." I have formatted the drive correctly and there is no issues with Aperature itself so why do you think I am having this error? What can I do to copy this Library to my external?

Reboot your machine make sure Aperture doesn't start (as Lion is liable to do) and try it.

The operation could not be completed because an item with the name xyz already exists

I am trying to make a click and drag backup on an external FAT 32 drive to compliment my Time Machine backup (long story) and I've done this each time by dragging my critical folders into the drive. I get a message asking me to stop, replace or skip, and whether to apply to all items. i click replace, apply all, and let it go.
however, one stubborn folder refuses to comply. every single time I click and drag a group of folder that includes that one, I get a message saying "the operation could not be completed because an item with the name xyz already exists" even after I selected the the "apply all" prompt. at which point, the Mac stops transferring ALL the other files.
I figured, OK, i'll just transfer the other folders individually and then deal with this folder later. so I do that, and once I get to the offending folder, I try to transfer just that one folder into the drive. no good; I get the operation message again. I decide to just transfer the contents of the folder, rather than the folder itself. No good, I just get the operation message about one of the folders within the main folder.
anyone know the cause, or at least a fix?

If you've installed a system modification called "TotalFinder," remove it according to the developer's instructions after backing up all data. Log out, log back in, and try again.
Otherwise, open the Info dialog on both the source and the destination volumes. What is the Format of each? For example, it might be "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)".
For some other possible solutions, see:
operation can't be completed because an...: Apple Support Communities

Problems copying iTunes folder to an external hard drive - "The operation can't be completed because the item FILE NAME is in use"

Hi,
I have been trying to back up my iTunes folder from my MacBook hard drive over to a new LaCie external hard drive. However, whenever I try to do it at some point during the copying I keep getting the warning "The operation can’t be completed because the item FILE NAME is in use". Each time I have tried it, it is always a different file name that comes up and at different points of the copying. Following the warning, the copying stops and cannot be restarted.
I tried copying the iTunes folder to another Lacie external hard drive that I have, and it worked fine so I am guessing that it maybe something wrong with the hard drive.
I've been trying various approaches all day and can't seem to get anywhere with it - all very frustrating, so any help would be much appreciated!
Thanks.

If you don't have other backup data on it, reformatting external drive could solve the problem.

Can't save multiple folders to external drive. Get: "The operation can't be completed because you don't have permission to access some of the items." when dragging large folders to mac os extended journalled external drive from OS 10.6.8

Hi
I am feeling VERY desperate!
After losing an external drive [dont ask....] -   I got another one : 2TB WD formatted properly [ OS extended journalled for mac ] ready for action to move my thousands of files and images and ppts in hundreds of folders across from the laptop to this drive because I travel a bit with the laptop and this is too risky not to back up at home.
But this message came up after starting on moving folders across [** and not straight away, sometimes after moving a folder when 4 of 6 gb of files across then the message comes up = very frustrating]:
"The operation can’t be completed because you don't have permission to access some of the items."
I am dragging mixed sometimes large complex folders to this os extended journalled external drive from my mac book pro OS 10.6.8 - it would take decades to move items one by one or even folder by folder and really confusing.
I have dragged-copied various small folders and files across successfully, but it is only working 50:50 and I can't leave machine with the idea of things copying eg: overnight - it just won't work....
I have been browsing google and find some people describing in CODE how they overcome this 'message'   .... but I [and I guess some other viewers of this in future & also in desperation] would need instructions for beginners.... to try this type of thing. I don't know any code.
How can this be happening - I feel ANGRY at APPLE !!!! for not posting easy fix instructions yet re; this, or better still updating software so it doesn't happen [ that I can find at least !!! ] .   There seem to be hundreds of people stuck with this stupid message and inability to back up their projects etc.
Can anyone help ?
Many thanks
Julie
15 August 2011

hi Samberl
thanks a lot for the fast reply.
I was dragging folders from main folders on the laptop-desktop onto the external drive icon - to copy them across....
Your suggestion sounds very promising - I didn't know about 'cloning'.
Yes the idea is to backup the laptop -    I thought I would just move it all now, new - and then keep saving/dragging physically   across to the new drive myself each day or two...
Would this be the sizeof the internal hard drive = c.500 gb ?   =   under the HD icon on desktop is written :
" 499.76gb , 311.5 gb free "
I can erase and start agin on the new external drive - so this plan is to make two partititions, rather than the one at present, and make one of them 500 gb ?
I have found CCC [carbon copy cloner] googling - looks good.
When CCC site says it backs up the hard drive - would this mean all my files [over 100 gb] that are mostly in folders on the desktop, plus the others in itunes, iphotos etc found in the HD icon, would all copy across successfully [wherever they are in the computer ] ?
thanks again, hope you can clarify these things and then I will go for it.
It would be great and amazing if this 'lack of permission' message doesn't show up in the process of doing this ccc transfer - hopeful!
Julie

Can't copy file to network drive as "The operation can't be completed because the [Filename] is in use

Following upgrade to Yosemite I now can't copy files from iMac to my network HDD in external media center. I have iMac connected by wi-fi to airport extreme and media center connected to airport extreme by cable. I can see the HDD as a network drive on my iMac and can initiate the copy but right when copy process is finished I see "The operation can’t be completed because the [Filename] is in use". I am trying to copy different media files downloaded from internet which are not used by any program and stored on my hard drive. I actually can copy small files of 1mb and it works but anything above 20mb is halted. I can also move/copy/delete the file on iMac. Cant understand the nature of the problem. I tried to format external HDD as EXT2/EXT3/NTFS but same outcome.
OS X Yosemite 10.10.3 | iMac late 2009 | Apple Airport Extreme | Dune HD Base 3D mediacenter

Have you tried a restart or logging out/in?
Some more ideas.
Re: The operation can’t be completed because the item “ " is in use.

External hard drive networked via AirPort Extreme gives "The operation can't be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -50)" roughly every two days

My lab has about 10 Mac computers. We all access a central hard drive by the way of wifi provided by AirPort. It's just a regular external hard drive (Seagate Desktop Drive) that I turned into our central storage space by plugging it into AirPort (USB). It works pretty well. We seem to be fine with viewing the file directories, opening files, saving, deleting etc., for a day or two. But then after a day or two, when when trying to modify files or move new files onto the central hard drive, we get the error message: "The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -50)"
Any suggestions as to what may be causing this problem?
All of the computers are 2011 iMacs & MacPros. The AirPort is 802.11n WiFi. The hard drive is a Seagate USB 3.0 Desktop Drive.
Thank you for your insight/suggestions.

Thanks for your reply. I agree about the communication issue. Let me explain my setup and what I am trying to do and perhaps you can answer my questions or make suggestions.
I have a MAC Mini with a Sony TV for the video monitor. The Mac Mini is hard wired to the AE (Airport Extreme). The AE has a 2 TB HD hooked up to the USB Port. I have a 17" Mac Book Pro on the WIFI Network.
I am trying to use the MAc Mini as a "Media Server" of sorts. Once I get iTunes running the way I plan I am goign to hook up my Apple TV (2nd Generation) to my television downstairs.
What I am trying to accomplish is have iTunes on all my computers look to the External HD on the AE for the files. This is why I am having my (-50 errors).
So far I have noticed that if I go and try to download from iTunes purchased videos that are not ont he computer (to the external HD) it will also occassionaly give me teh -50 error.
Is there a way to change where the files go when I download them? Say I want to download videos to the computer but not to the external HD? However I would want to still be able to move them to the External HD.

The operation can't be completed because an unexped error occurred (error code-50). This appears when I'm copying a file to the drive and then I wasn't able to edit to my drive. Then this morning I can't open my project file. What to do?

Message: The operation can't be completed because an unexped error occurred (error code-50).
This appears when I'm copying a file to the drive and then I wasn't able to edit to my drive.
Then this morning I can't open my project file. I get this message: The project appears to be damaged, it cannot be opened.
What should I do!??
I have moved my project onto 2 different external hard-drives now.

Hi There,
After looking around for this error, it seems to be related to OS, we would recommend you to contact Apple support for this.
Thanks,
Atul Saini

The operation can't be completed because the original item for " your drive name here " can't be found

Hey all,
I hope someone can help. I am running 10.7.5 OSX currently on my Mac Book Pro. I recently got a new Windows 8 desktop. A ceap one running Windows 8. I currently have 5 drives shared over my home network. 3 are working just fine (the 3 I just put on the network today). The other 2, however, were previously on my old Windows Vista computer also shared over my network. My Mac Book Pro had access just fine (I set up sharing on my vista comp) and everything ran smooth. Today when I hooked up my new Windows 8 computer and put the 5 drives on and shared them via my network, same way as I done before, 3 are working fine but the two original drives give me an error when I try and access them from my Mac over my home network. They both show up with the correct names but when I try and access them it tells me:
The operation can’t be completed because the original item for “M&V” can’t be found.
M&V is the name of one of the drives. Here is the trouble shooting I have done:
- Renamed the drives multiple times
- Tripple checked my permissions
- Checked for updates and installed both on my PC and Mac
- Restarted my PC and Mac
- Tried Both of my dual frequencies on my netowork
- Tried hooking up with ethernet cable
- Changed the user name and password for my shared access on my PC multiple times and put in the correct info on my Mac
- Tried taking away all passwords (unsecured)
- My other Windows PS's can access all drives just fine
But still I get the above error. I have isolated it to an issue with my Mac. I was thinking maybe if there is a way to have my Mac forget the shared drives and I can re-add them and put in my password, I am not sure if that is even possible. I am at al loss on what to do. Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.

I am having the same exact issue and I've been busting my testi-balls to figure it out. I've got 15 years experience in the computer game and still can't figure it out. I see a lot of people having similiar issues, but no one seems to have an answer for MY issue, which is virtually the same as the OP.
Brand new Macbook Retina.
Windows 7 x64 Machine.
ALL drives shared with ALL permissions of ALL accounts manually inserted on the Windows 7 side.
ALL other PC's in the house can access the drives on the Windows 7 machine without issue.
Only the Macbook Retina has the problem connecting. Every Windows drive I shared is visible under "network" in finder, but when I click on any of them it gives the quoted error message the OP stated.
PLEASE, if anyone finds a fix for this, let us know!

The operation can't be completed because the original item for "EXTERNAL" can't be found.

After upgrading to Mountain Lion I can no longer access my exFat formatted USB drive that is connected to my iMac from my MBP. I can connect to the iMac, but when I try to mount the USB drive I get an error message saying "The operation can't be completed because the original item for "EXTERNAL" can't be found."
I have enabled only 'SMB' in sharing preference on all of my machines, and all are running Mountain Lion.
*I have since tried connecting directly with the IP address, same result, and also reformatting the USB drive to just FAT32, same issue. I need the drive formatted in a windows format so my home theatre system can connect to it.
Message was edited by: davea3323

Update, So I disassembled the external hard drive case and pulled the bare drive out and connected the drive directly to my motherboard and without change any settings on the PC, the MacBook can now access it over the network. What is it about externals that the Mac can't access them over networks?

Problems accessing time capsule data "The operation can't be completed because the original [...]"

So as my title would suggest, I'm having time capsule issues.
First of all, I'm running a MBPret late 2013. Currently I'm trying to setup my time capsule in my university dorm room for two reasons:
1) I want to use the internet they provide us.
2) I want to use time capsule as a backup drive.
I am not permitted to use wifi as per my contract with the university, unfortunate, but fine, I can use ethernet, I have the ethernet -> thunderbolt adapter.
Now, thus far, I've setup my time capsule normally (this is second setup not the first) and I performed a hard reset before connecting it all here. Before here it was setup at my previous house. After that I disabled the wireless and enabled secure shared disks "with device password".
I don't have internet access yet, though I believe this is a problem on the administrator side not mine, but the real problem is that I cannot access the data folder on my time capsule in finder. I've tried erasing the volume, hard resetting and setting up again, I keep getting the same error message:
"The operation can’t be completed because the original item for "Data" can't be found"
Any suggestions?
Regards

If you don't have applecare you will need to pay if you want the genuine article but your problem is familiar and Apple support is likely to say your the first person they have ever heard of with this problem.. even when every second post here refers to it.
Here is my standard list. Work through it and tell me if you succeed.
The cause is Yosemite btw.
A factory reset of the TC is the start.. it is required so you can find it again.
Factory reset universal
Power off the TC.. ie pull the power cord or power off at the wall.. wait 10sec.. hold in the reset button.. be gentle.. power on again still holding in reset.. and keep holding it in for another 10sec. You may need some help as it is hard to both hold in reset and apply power. It will show success by rapidly blinking the front led. Release the reset.. and wait a couple of min for the TC to reset and come back with factory settings. If the front LED doesn’t blink rapidly you missed it and simply try again. The reset is fairly fragile in these.. press it so you feel it just click and no more.. I have seen people bend the lever or even break it. I use a toothpick as tool.
N.B. None of your files on the hard disk of the TC are deleted.. this simply clears out the router settings of the TC.
Setup the TC again.
ie Start from a factory reset. No files are lost on the hard disk doing this.
Then redo the setup from the computer with Yosemite.
1. Use very short names.. NOT APPLE RECOMMENDED names. No spaces and pure alphanumerics.
eg TCgen5 and TCwifi for basestation and wireless respectively.
Even better if the issue is more wireless use TC24ghz and TC5ghz with fixed channels as this also seems to help stop the nonsense. But this can be tried in the second round.
2. Use all passwords that also comply but can be a bit longer. ie 8-20 characters mixed case and numbers.. no non-alphanumerics.
3. Ensure the TC always takes the same IP address.. you will need to do this on the main router using dhcp reservation.. or a bit more complex setup using static IP in the TC. But this is important.. having IP drift all over the place when Yosemite cannot remember its own name for 5 min after a reboot makes for poor networking. If the TC is main router it will not be an issue.
4. Check your share name on the computer is not changing.. make sure it also complies with the above.. short no spaces and pure alphanumeric.. but this change will mess up your TM backup.. so be prepared to do a new full backup. Sorry.. keep this one for second round if you want to avoid a new backup.
5. Mount the TC disk in the computer manually.
In Finder, Go, Connect to server from the top menu,
Type in SMB://192.168.0.254 (or whatever the TC ip is which you have now made static. As a router by default it is 10.0.1.1 and I encourage people to stick with that unless you know what you are doing).
You can use name.. SMB://TCgen5.local where you replace TCgen5 with your TC name.. local is the default domain of the TC and doesn't change.
However names are not so easy as IP address.. nor as reliable. At least not in Yosemite they aren't. The domain can also be an issue if you are not plugged or wireless directly to the TC.
6. Make sure IPv6 is set to link-local only in the computer. For example wireless open the network preferences, wireless and advanced / TCP/IP.. and fix the IPv6. to link-local only.
There is a lot more jiggery pokery you can try but the above is a good start.. if you find it still unreliable.. don't be surprised.
You might need to do some more work on the laptop itself. eg Reset the PRAM.. has helped some people. Clean install of the OS is also helpful if you upgrade installed.
Tell us how you go.
Someone posted a solution.. See this thread.
Macbook can't find Time Capsule anymore
Start from the bottom and work up.. I have a list of good network practice changes but I have avoided Yosemites bug heaven.
This user has had success and a few others as well.
RáNdÓm GéÉzÁ
Yosemite has serious DNS bug in the networking application.. here is the lets say more arcane method of fixing it by doing a network transplant from mavericks.
http://arstechnica.com/apple/2015/01/why-dns-in-os-x-10-10-is-broken-and-what-yo u-can-do-to-fix-it/

I have one folder on an XSAN that one machine can not make changes to. Whenever I try to duplicate or copy a file in this folder I get 'The operation can't be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -50).'?

I have one folder on an XSAN that one machine can not make changes to. Whenever I try to duplicate or copy a file in this folder I get 'The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -50).'
The permissions are fine, and I have trashed the finder plist and reset the NVRAM.
Anyone have a answer?
Thanks

Tips I received so far (thanks to A-Mac via Twitter http://www.a-mac.nl and Remco Kalf http://www.remcokalf.nl/)
- make sure you have at least 10% of your harddisk in free space (I had only 5%).
- do a PRAM-reset (http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1379)
- perform a hardware test (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1509)
- make a complete backup (with for example Carbone Clone Copier, see http://www.bombich.com/)
- after complete backup: use diskwarrior (boot from Diskwarrior DVD, first perform diagnostics, then perform "Rebuild" which rebuilds your file directory).
So far I only cleared up some space on my HD, and already the problem occurs less.
Still, I will go through the other tips too.
(will post progress)

Problem with copying to external drives 10.8.3 "the operation can't be completed because an item with the name .ds_store exists"

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