Hidden Files Appearing

For some strange reason, etc, tmp, var, and Bootx.bootinfo have appeared in my root directory and I can't use SetFile -aV to hide them (I get an error). Since tiger doesn't use the .hidden file anymore (but respects it) does anyone have a solution for how to hide these files again? It's more cosmetic than anything but I don't want to accidentally trash them.
iBook G4 1.33 Mac OS X (10.4.6) Mid-2005 Model

" The symlinks for etc tmp and var are not responding to SetFile even though it's not returning an error."
Depending on what is meant by "are not responding", that might just be the stupid "Finder" - I should have mentioned that the "Finder" will probably have to be restarted before it recognizes the change, but on the other hand, the fact that it worked on "BootX.bootinfo" may mean the problem is something else. The result of 'GetFileInfo' should at least indicate whether or not the attribute is being set.
Regarding the error, I only get see the "-5000" error while attempting to use 'SetFile' on a link that is not owned by the user executing the command, unless the user is "root". It is unexpected that it should appear while executing the command with 'sudo'. Also, note that it is not necessary for "root" to be enabled to use 'sudo', but as along as it is, you could try AppleScript instead.
Also, when posting about commands not working, it is often helpful if the exact command that was used is included in the post. Something that I am told OS X does differently from other unix based systems is its handling of symbolic links and autocompletion. OS X adds a trailing slash when autocompleting the name of a symbolic link to a directory. It seems that with 'SetFile', if the argument is a symbolic link to a directory and is entered with the trailing slash, it will act on the link's target even in the presence of the '-P' flag so this might be another reason why the command may appear to fail. Of course, it should be possible to use 'GetFileInfo' to check the status of both link and target after executing the command...

Similar Messages

Each time I restart my iMac hidden files appear

Okay, this is new. Each time I restart or start up my iMac, all the hidden files appear. I run the appropriate line items in Terminal and all of the files disappear until I restart my computer. It all started to happen after I ran the latest update. I may have installed another software at the same time, but I don't remember.
Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance!
Paul
iMac 2.93 GHz i7
10.8.5

It is possible that there is a problem with the file(s) that store the extensions registry.
Delete the extensions.* files (e.g. extensions.json, extensions.sqlite, extensions.ini) and compatibility.ini in the Firefox profile folder to reset the extensions registry.
*https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Profiles
New files will be created when required.
See "Corrupt extension files":
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Unable_to_install_themes_or_extensions
*https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Unable+to+install+add-ons
If you see disabled or not compatible extensions in "Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions" then click the Tools button at the left end of the Search bar to check if there is a compatibility update available.
You can also check for problems with preferences.
Delete possible user.js and numbered prefs-##.js files and rename (or delete) the prefs.js file to reset all prefs to the default value including prefs set via user.js and prefs that are no longer supported in the current Firefox release.
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Preferences_not_saved
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Resetting_preferences

Hidden files appear in finder but I can't see them on my desktop

I have been having this recurring issue where when I have a Finder window open, I can see several files when I click on my my desktop sidebar icon, but when I try to find them on my desktop they do not show up anywhere. What is going on? Is it something I did/didn't enable or a bug?

Hi,
I am having this issue too. I can, for example, save a Word doc as a PDF to the desktop but it never appears. If I go back to Word it says 'do you want to replace the file of the same name?', And if I do this a couple of times it will appear.
There are quite a few similar responses online about this but no definitive answer. Anyone got one?

Network Drive Hidden Files

When I modify files saved on network drives, a hidden file is created on the network drive that bothers my co-workers. I originally dealt with a .DS_Store file in every folder I accessed on the network drive. I researched and found the support topic related to this issue. I used the command:
defaults write com.apple.desktopservices DSDontWriteNetworkStores true
There are no more .DS_Store files, but now, every time I modify something on the network drive, a hidden file appears for the modified file. For instance, I save a Word file Doc-1.doc and a ._Doc-1.doc hidden file is created. Also, if I move or copy a file to the network drive, the same thing (drag and drop x.pdf and ._x.pdf hidden folder.
The single .DS_Store file was bad enough, but now every file I access has a hidden file with it. Any commands to prevent this from happening?

The '._' files contain meta-data specific to the Mac. Contained therein are things like custom icons, the label color for the file, the file type, the file creator, etc.
The Mac only creates those files if the filesystem being written too doesn't natively handle Mac file and resource data. If you can mount the filesystem using AFP instead of NFS or SMB/CIFS, the problem will go away (and AFP also has the benefit of being faster). There's really no way to disable the creation of the '._' files outright.
There are four ways to address the issue:
1. Let your co-workers get over it. Any decent CIFS implementation will hide the '._' files so they won't see them. The files cause no harm, so it shouldn't matter.
2. Manually delete the '._' files. You can do this periodically, even write a script to do it and have it run automatically on a schedule. However, when you delete the files, be cognizant that you are throwing away some information. OS X is going to have to guess the file type, and you won't be able to use custom icons or icon label colors.
3. Use BlueHarvest ($13 download; 30-day free trial). This monitors file creation and deletes '._' just after they're written. You can set rules to delete '._' only for certain types of files too.
4. Use DAVE. DAVE preserves the file meta-data on Windows shares that support alternative data streams by saving the data in an ADS. It should work with most CIFS-type servers.
You might also ask your sysadmin if it's possible to add Mac File Services for Windows -- which lets you access Windows shares as native OS X AFP shares.

Hidden files suddenly appear

HI
I have just upgraded to 10.10.3 and suddenly I see .Dear Sally_store files and many other hidden files.
Is there a way of hiding these again?
Philip

Open the Terminal from the Utilities folder. At the prompt enter:
chflags -Rf hidden
Leave a space after "hidden" then select and drag into the Terminal window the file or files you want changed, then press RETURN.

Hidden parameters appears after Oracle 11gR2 upgrade

Platform: HP-UX B.11.31 U ia64
Upgrading from: Oracle Database 11g Enterprise Edition Release 11.1.0.7.0 - 64bit Production
Upgrading to : Oracle Database 11g Enterprise Edition Release 11.2.0.3.0 - 64bit Production
Issue : There are around 130 hidden parameter appear after Oracle 11gR2 upgrade.
Before upgrade I have commented the hidden parameters on the PFILE. PFILE only to start the database for the Oracle 11gR2 upgrade.
Before upgrade, checking the hidden parameter:
SQL> SELECT name,description from SYS.V$PARAMETER WHERE name LIKE '\_%' ESCAPE '\';
optimizerextended_cursor_sharing_rel
optimizer extended cursor sharing for relational operators
allowlevel_without_connect_by
allow level without connect by
I am using client parameter file ( PFILE ) commented the hidden parameters highlighted above.
However after successful upgrade to 11gR2, creating SPFILE from the PFILE ( commented the hidden parameters) now i am getting 132 hidden parameters.
SQL> select count(1) from sys.V$PARAMETER where name like '\_%' escape '\';
COUNT(1)
132
SQL> select name from sys.V$PARAMETER where name like '\_%' escape '\';
name
aggregationoptimization_settings
alwaysanti_join
alwayssemi_join
andpruning_enabled
btree_bitmap_plans
bloomfilter_enabled
bloomfolding_enabled
bloompruning_enabled
complexview_merging
compressioncompatibility
connectby_use_union_all
convertset_to_join
costequality_semi_join
cputo_io
dimensionskip_null
eliminatecommon_subexpr
enabletype_dep_selectivity
fastfull_scan_enabled
firstk_rows_dynamic_proration
gbyhash_aggregation_enabled
generalizedpruning_enabled
globalindexpnum_filter_enabled
gsanti_semi_join_allowed
improvedouterjoin_card
improvedrow_length_enabled
indexjoin_enabled
ksbrestart_policy_times
leftnested_loops_random
localcommunication_costing_enabled
minimalstats_aggregation
mmvquery_rewrite_enabled
newinitial_join_orders
newsort_cost_estimate
nljbatching_enabled
optimadjust_for_part_skews
optimenhance_nnull_detection
optimnew_default_join_sel
optimpeek_user_binds
optimizeradaptive_cursor_sharing
optimizerbetter_inlist_costing
optimizercbqt_no_size_restriction
optimizercoalesce_subqueries
optimizercomplex_pred_selectivity
optimizercompute_index_stats
optimizerconnect_by_combine_sw
optimizerconnect_by_cost_based
optimizerconnect_by_elim_dups
optimizercorrect_sq_selectivity
optimizercost_based_transformation
optimizercost_hjsmj_multimatch
optimizercost_model
optimizerdim_subq_join_sel
optimizerdistinct_agg_transform
optimizerdistinct_elimination
optimizerdistinct_placement
optimizereliminate_filtering_join
optimizerenable_density_improvements
optimizerenable_extended_stats
optimizerenable_table_lookup_by_nl
optimizerenhanced_filter_push
optimizerextend_jppd_view_types
optimizerextended_cursor_sharing
optimizerextended_cursor_sharing_rel
optimizerextended_stats_usage_control
optimizerfalse_filter_pred_pullup
optimizerfast_access_pred_analysis
optimizerfast_pred_transitivity
optimizerfilter_pred_pullup
optimizerfkr_index_cost_bias
optimizerfull_outer_join_to_outer
optimizergroup_by_placement
optimizerimprove_selectivity
optimizerinterleave_jppd
optimizerjoin_elimination_enabled
optimizerjoin_factorization
optimizerjoin_order_control
optimizerjoin_sel_sanity_check
optimizermax_permutations
optimizermode_force
optimizermulti_level_push_pred
optimizernative_full_outer_join
optimizernew_join_card_computation
optimizernull_aware_antijoin
optimizeror_expansion
optimizerorder_by_elimination_enabled
optimizerouter_join_to_inner
optimizerouter_to_anti_enabled
optimizerpush_down_distinct
optimizerpush_pred_cost_based
optimizerrownum_bind_default
optimizerrownum_pred_based_fkr
optimizerskip_scan_enabled
optimizersortmerge_join_inequality
optimizersqu_bottomup
optimizerstar_tran_in_with_clause
optimizersystem_stats_usage
optimizertable_expansion
optimizertransitivity_retain
optimizertry_st_before_jppd
optimizerundo_cost_change
optimizerunnest_corr_set_subq
optimizerunnest_disjunctive_subq
optimizeruse_cbqt_star_transformation
optimizeruse_feedback
orexpand_nvl_predicate
orderednested_loop
parallelbroadcast_enabled
partitionview_enabled
pivotimplementation_method
prerewrite_push_pred
predmove_around
pushjoin_predicate
pushjoin_union_view
pushjoin_union_view2
pxminus_intersect
pxpartition_scan_enabled
pxpwg_enabled
pxual_serial_input
queryrewrite_setopgrw_enable
removeaggr_subquery
replacevirtual_columns
resourcemanager_plan
rightouter_hash_enable
selfjoinmv_duplicates
sqlmodel_unfold_forloops
sqltunecategory_parsed
subquerypruning_enabled
subquerypruning_mv_enabled
tablescan_cost_plus_one
unionrewrite_for_gs
unnestsubquery
usecolumn_stats_for_function

I just came across a similar case: 1 (just one) of our (RAC-) databases has 130-something underscore-parameters set to non-default values.
version is still 11.1.0.7 (e.g. not 11gR2).
All of those hidden parameters seem to be CBO related (list on request).
Weird is: Only one of our (very similar, supposedly same-config) databases have these hidden parameters set.
Colleagues justly wonder: Who, When, What has caused these parameters to be expliclty set for this one system?
Note: we do not have the complete history of this system documented (systems have been managed by 3 different parties already).
It is quite possible they came in with some patch or upgrade (catupgr?) somewhere between 11.1.0.1 and 11.1.0.7, but a confirmation would be nice.
Information welcome.
System info:
Linux hostname 2.6.18-164.9.1.el5 #1 SMP Wed Dec 9 03:27:37 EST 2009 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
Versions
Oracle Database 11g Enterprise Edition Release 11.1.0.7.0 - 64bit Production
PL/SQL Release 11.1.0.7.0 - Production
CORE 11.1.0.7.0 Production
TNS for Linux: Version 11.1.0.7.0 - Production
NLSRTL Version 11.1.0.7.0 - Production
5 rows selected.

How do I stop Mac creating files on Windows server creating hidden files?

I have my macbook connecting to a windows 2003 server share. Whenever I write a file, either by creating or editing and saving, it creates a hidden file too. I edit filename.doc then I'll also have ._filename.doc in that directory. It's distracting the windows users and causing me to become a little unpopular. How can I prevent those hidden files from being created?

This happens in part with some Mac files that contain both a resource and a data fork. Windows doesn't know how to handle these files and breaks them apart. Also, Mac OS creates certain hidden files used by the Finder that also get transferred but are no longer hidden on Windows because Windows does not recognize the "." preceding a filename as the Unix shorthand for "invisible."
There are a number of free utilities you will find at VersionTracker or MacUpdate that can prevent this and the hidden files from appearing on the Windows drive.
Zipping files before transfer will also prevent the problem from occurring.

Error While Uploading, hidden file somewhere conflicting?

I was in the process of uploading some files to Acrobat.com, most worked but a couple of them failed. The progress bar in the upper right disappeared, but my files weren't showing. Figured there was just a problem with the file, so I tried to upload again, one at a time. It uploaded and then said a file exists with that name already and do I want to delete new, delete previous or rename the new one. I say to delete the one that was previously uploaded, and my file now appears with a " (1)" added to the file name. When I try to rename it to the correct name the error it gives is: "Could not complete your request (400) - An error occurred while trying to complete your request, and it could not be completed."
Is there a way to see hidden files or files that errored so I can clear them out to start fresh?

I was thinking the same thing, hoping there was some hidden way to get at the files.
I tried going through incognito mode and through a separate browser that had never been to any Adobe site, same error when I tried to rename.
I think I'll try to move the files I know are good to another folder then delete the folder where these annoying files are hidden. I would think that would get rid of them then I can start over. I'll let you know.

Flash capacity and hidden files

I am about to order a new Mac Pro and am trying to work out whether to get 512 or 1TB flash storage
I have an 2007 MP, 4 drives in it but looking at the main drive and its content I cannot account for all of the used space.
The main (boot disk) shows 567GB used
Using Cmd + I on all the folders in the 1TB boot disk I get the following:-
So it appears that most of the unaccounted for space (136 GB of 146GB) is sitting in the Users folders.
So my questions is what would the "hidden" files be and would those reside on the flash drive in a new Macpro
Assuming I will put all of the Document files etc onto the Pegasus storage and that I would have the same apps on board, would it be safe to say to allow for
i.e. the 512GB should be sufficient !
Regards

Thanks form the reply DWB (Yosemete Sam !)
Would I be right in thinking that the User's directory would, in the case of the new Mac Pro, always reside on the flash drive?
So in my case above, providing I moved all User content (i.e. Documents, moves, desktop content,) to the Pegasus storage then I could expect to need 256 GB of storage and a 512GB flash storage should be sufficient to run all my apps etc?
Regards

How do I stop Windows 7 from searching hidden files and folders

In XP it was simple with the intuitive Advanced Search Options.
Even if you enable "Don't show Hidden Files and Folders" in Windows 7, they still show up in the search menu. A similar post included a suggestion by a support dude to post a question here. I've searched for every possible solution and yet something so simple appears to be non existent. Has Microsoft just lost its mind with omitting this feature? Is this something that will never be solved? Indexed or not, hidden files and folders still appear in Search.
Thanks

what have you setup in Explorer->Organize->Folder & Search Options?
Don't show hidden and Hide: Empty, Protected, etc. all ticked
if you have at some stage indexed all those system folders, and subsquently removed those from the index scope, then you may need to rebuild the index so those results are not presented by searches?
i've assumed that you are getting things like \windows included, and this seems to be typical. perhaps because some common tools like notepad, wordpad etc reside in those folders.
have you checked out the Indexing Options?
from memory, "don't show hidden & system" really only obscures the stuff when you're browsing in explorer. the indexing engine doesn't respect that kind of setting. you'll need to get your indexing scope worked out to affect the search results presented.
I'm not concerned much with indexing, it's just amazing that there is no option to stop "Search" from searching hidden files and folders when "Don't show hidden" is checked - the way it was with XP, etc. As I understand it whether folder is indexed or not, will not stop "SEARCH" from searching them. It was quite simple in XP but in Windows 7 it seems it is impossible.

Backup file appears with a PC icon and won't open in mac os 9.2

Hi, I have a green imac powerpc at home and need to open some old files backed up on an external hard disk.
The external hard disk is fat32 and was formatted by a pc.
unfortunately the files I need appear as PC files with a blue PC icon, but I'm sure they are Ready, Set & Go files created
on mac os 9.2. Any help is appreciated.

There is a classic discussion.
https://discussions.apple.com/community/mac_os/classic_mac_os?view=discussions
I shall try to find a friend with Tiger this weekend, hope it helps.
Fyi: The Mac OS X system needs to be Tiger or newer.
You may try this. I tried it long ago, but kind of forget the details.
Be sure to format the usb stick on a Mac with a Mac OS file system HFS+.
Create several files with Ready, Set & Go files created. Some empty. Some with data. etc.
Copy these to the usb stick with a Mac Format.
Copy to a Tiger or newer system.
Create a dos formated usb stick.
Copy good files to the dos usb stick. This splits the files into a data and resource fork. This is a Tiger innovation.
Now you need to replace the data fork with the other data fork. The data fork has the normal name. The resource fork starts with ._
You will have to see hidden files.
turn off hidden.
Copy the files back to to a usb HFS+ formated flash drive. This puts the files back together.
I suggest you bring along a coy of Ready, Set & Go. If your friend has classic installed, You can test there. Or, bring you computer along. You may need to do this more than once.
Macintosh-HD -> Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal
# Show hidden files & folders in finder
# Just copy the the line starting with defaults into the terminal. Press return to run.
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE   ;killall Finder
# Normal display. Hide hidden files & folders in finder
# Just copy the the line starting with defaults into the terminal
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles FALSE ;killall Finder
The finder comes right back.
See: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4070684?start=15&tstart=0
Mac OS files may contain two parts: Data & Resource. On HFS+ disks you see only one file. On Dos disks, you see two files. One file is visible. One is hidden. Turns out I have classic installed on my system. The finder application contains data & resource forks.
# My Dos flash drive is DOS formatted
# Previously, I copied the Classic finder to the Dos flash drive.
mac $ pwd
/Volumes/dos/seeparts
mac $ ls -lah
total 4848
drwxrwxrwx   1 mac staff       8K Mar 15 13:51 ./
drwxrwxrwx   1 mac staff      16K Mar 15 13:50 ../
-rwxrwxrwx   1 mac staff       6K Mar 15 13:51 .DS_Store*
-rwxrwxrwx   1 mac staff     512K Mar 15 13:50 ._Finder*
-rwxrwxrwx   1 mac staff       1M May 29 2001 Finder*
# Here is the file on my startup disk.
mac $ ls -lah /System\ Folder-current/Finder
-rwxrwxr-x   1 root admin       1M May 29 2001 /System Folder-current/Finder*
# If you know this clever method, you can see the resource fork.
# Notice the ending /rsrc!
mac $ ls -lah /System\ Folder-current/Finder/rsrc
-rwxrwxr-x   1 root admin    512K May 29 2001 /System Folder-current/Finder/rsrc*
mac $

Duplicate files appearing in Windows Photo Gallery under Vista Home Basic.

I am suffering a bout of duplications in my Windows Photo Gallery under Vista. I am getting duplicates, triplicates and quadruple versions of the original file.
Despite turning off all Autoplay media types to 'No Action', I get random duplicates when I try to enter update pictures from camera or memory chip through a USB port. There is no 'Enter Updates Only' option, and Microsoft says that this is unnecessary as
duplication is prevented. The duplicates however appear with 'copy' in the file name after the image numbering system. My preference is to view the memory contents via 'Computer' - select and open the port, and view, then copy and paste into Photo
Gallery. Photo Gallery kicks in to view the chip correctly, but often/always (?) promptly uploads uncommanded. It did not used to do this, only in the last year or two.
What do I do, it is driving me crazy ?

Hi,
As I know, for Duplicate issue, it might be caused by a corrupted database, please try to rebuild it as a test.
Close Windows Photo Gallery
First show hidden files.Navigate to C:\Users\Usename\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Photo GalleryRename “Pictures.pd” to “Pictures.pd.old” (without quotes) and reopen Windows Photo Gallery.
Yolanda Zhu
TechNet Community Support

Hidden files

In Windows Explorer I can see a TIF file. The file properties are set to show the file. It is not a hidden file.
However, the file does not appear in Bridge CS4. In Bridge "View | Show Hidden Files" is selected. The cache has been purged and then rebuilt.
Why does the file not show in Bridge?
Wayne Webb

Originally Posted by gator17
When I do a remote file transfer I can see the hidden files on the c:\ I can see them in the old zen 7 remote file transfer. On the workstation I am testing I even went into the folder options and removed the check marks to hide hide system files and that didnt work either. So How do I view hidden/system protected files in the remote files transfer on zen 10. I am on zen 10.3.1.0
It's a known bug and is reported to engineering.
Unable to see hidden files and folders during remote file transfer
Thomas

How to recover hidden files and folders from memor...

When you connect your memory card to a PC or connect your phone as a mass storage device to a PC which is infected by a virus, the virus may hide all your files and folders.
The virus also changes their attributes to "hidden" and "read only" and may move all memory card content to another hidden folder, though the size of the disk looks unchanged, files are still invisible.
Steps to recover hidden files and folders:
First, change the settings in "folder options" so that we can see all hidden files and folders,
Open any folder > select organise > folder and search options, select view tab and under hidden files and folders setting, select "show hidden files, folders and drives", and uncheck the option "Hide protected operating system files" and click ok, click yes if a prompt appears for confirmation, now you should be able to see all hidden files and folders.
Second, connect your memory card to PC using a card reader or you can connect your phone as a mass storage device and note down its drive letter. (L) is the drive in my case as shown
1. If you have autorun.info file, you can manually delete it or use tools like autorun eater(or any other you like).
If all the folders are moved inside a hidden folder, select all the items inside that folder, cut them and paste them to root directory of your memory card.
If you select properties of any folder on your memory card, the hidden attribute might be locked as shown:
To solve these issues, type cmd in the start menu, right click on it and click run as administrator.
2. In the command prompt window, type the following:
L: [Press Enter]
Here, I assume L as your drive letter.
3. Type the following code to reset the attributes of all the files and folders to their default:
Attrib *.* -r -h -s /s /d [Press Enter]
After few seconds, all the files and folders will be reset to their normal attributes settings.
Hope you enjoyed reading the post and was helpful.
-------------------If this post helped you, click on accept as solution.------------------
-----------------------------Appreciate by clicking on white star.----------------------------

Check the formatting of the external hard drive. To do that, right click on the drive icon and select Get Info. (Or click once on the drive and type command +i ) The pane includes information about the drive format.
The drive should be formatted as Mac OS Extended. If it is not, run Disk Utility (App;ications / Utilities) and format the drive.

Exported images are being exported as hidden file types

So when I export my images using the current up to date version of Aperture 2, the files were not visible until I clicked "show hidden files." This really ***** because then when I burn a CD it appears as the CD is blank.
Has this happened to anybody else? And what could cause this so I can fix it?
Any help would be great!
Thanks.

Welcome,
Where on your system are you exporting them? What export preset are you using?
Also, it would be helpful if you added your configuration info to your public profile. That way the contributors here can see what your set up is at a glance. Look at the bottom of this post for an example.
DLS

Hidden Files Appearing

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