Missing files on external hard drive and unable to delete items in trash

When my external hard drive is connected I am unable to eject it because it says it is in use. I have tried shutting every program, but the message still occurs. I have also noticed that I can't empty my trash can when the external hard drive is connected, and that it appears empty when it is ejected. There are also missing folders on the drive. I am able to see the timemachine backup folder, but I can't open it properly to access the data.

With the External HD connected to the AEBS, I went to File -> New -> Folder and named the folder. I had done this a few times, as well as created a few new ones using Picasa and cutting/pasting them into the appropriate folder. I did that a few times. Then one more time I went to File -> New -> Folder on the EHD (not Picasa), named it and hit enter. I got a message saying can't do it because folder doesn't exist. Properties showed correct amount of GB used/remaining. so I know it's there. Latrer I connected directly to PC and folders were there and could be manipulated. I tried reconnecting EHD to USB hub in AEBS and it won't show up as a drive under Computer, but under Network -> <AEBS name> -> drive name.

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I moved itunes file to external hard drive and want to move the file on my pc to recycle bin. When I move i get an error message that it cannot delete ituneshelper.dll access is denied. Can I move that file to the recycle bin?

I am trying to free up space on my pc and moving itunes files to external hard drive. I have followed instructions and believe I have file copied to new drive, but I am having trouble moving file to recycle bin as the instructions say. I am getting the following error message: cannot delete ituneshelper.dll:access denied, make sure disk is not full or write protected and file not in use. I know the file is not in use when trying to move. Any help would be most appreciated. I am on Windows XP.

Yes. And you should not have moved that folder. Put it back. To move your iTunes library move the folder from User's Music.
tt2

How to move huge HD video files between external hard drives and defrag ext drive?

I have huge high definition video files on a 2TB external hard drive (and its clone). The external hard drive is maxed out. I would like to move many of the video files to a new 3TB external hard drive (G-drive, and a clone) and leave a sub-group of video files (1+ TB) on the original external hard drive (and its clone).
I am copying files from original external drive ("ext drive A") to new external drive ("ext drive B") via Carbon Copy Cloner (selecting iMovie event by event that I want to transfer). Just a note: I do not know how to partition or make bootable drives, I see suggestions with these steps in them.
My questions:
1.) I assume this transfer of files will create extreme fragmentation on drive A. Should I reformat/re-initialize ext drive A after moving the files I want? If so, how best to do this? Do I use "Erase" within Disk Utilities? Do I need to do anything else before transfering files back onto ext drive A from its clone?
2.) Do I also need to defrag if I reformat ext drive A? Do I defrag instead of or in addition to reformating? If so, how to do this? I've read on these forums so many warnings and heard too many stories of this going awry. Which 3rd party software to use?
Thank you in advance for any suggestions, tips, advice. This whole process makes me SO nervous.

Here is a very good writeup on de-fragging in the OS environment that I borrowed
From Klaus1:
Defragmentation in OS X:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1375 which states:
You probably won't need to optimize at all if you use Mac OS X. Here's why:
Hard disk capacity is generally much greater now than a few years ago. With more free space available, the file system doesn't need to fill up every "nook and cranny." Mac OS Extended formatting (HFS Plus) avoids reusing space from deleted files as much as possible, to avoid prematurely filling small areas of recently-freed space.
Mac OS X 10.2 and later includes delayed allocation for Mac OS X Extended-formatted volumes. This allows a number of small allocations to be combined into a single large allocation in one area of the disk.
Fragmentation was often caused by continually appending data to existing files, especially with resource forks. With faster hard drives and better caching, as well as the new application packaging format, many applications simply rewrite the entire file each time. Mac OS X 10.3 onwards can also automatically defragment such slow-growing files. This process is sometimes known as "Hot-File-Adaptive-Clustering."
Aggressive read-ahead and write-behind caching means that minor fragmentation has less effect on perceived system performance.
Whilst 'defragging' OS X is rarely necessary, Rod Hagen has produced this excellent analysis of the situation which is worth reading:
Most users, as long as they leave plenty of free space available , and don't work regularly in situations where very large files are written and rewritten, are unlikely to notice the effects of fragmentation on either their files or on the drives free space much.
As the drive fills the situations becomes progressively more significant, however.
Some people will tell you that "OSX defrags your files anyway". This is only partly true. It defrags files that are less than 20 MB in size. It doesn't defrag larger files and it doesn't defrag the free space on the drive. In fact the method it uses to defrag the smaller files actually increases the extent of free space fragmentation. Eventually, in fact, once the largest free space fragments are down to less than 20 MB (not uncommon on a drive that has , say only 10% free space left) it begins to give up trying to defrag altogether. Despite this, the system copes very well without defragging as long as you have plenty of room.
Again, this doesn't matter much when the drive is half empty or better, but it does when it gets fullish, and it does especially when it gets fullish if you are regularly dealing with large files , like video or serious audio stuff.
If you look through this discussion board you will see quite a few complaints from people who find that their drive gets "slow". Often you will see that say that "still have 10 or 20 gigs free" or the like. On modern large drives by this stage they are usually in fact down to the point where the internal defragmentation routines can no longer operate , where their drives are working like navvies to keep up with finding space for any larger files, together with room for "scratch files", virtual memory, directories etc etc etc. Such users are operating in a zone where they put a lot more stress on their drives as a result, often start complaining of increased "heat", etc etc. Most obviously, though, the computer slows down to a speed not much better than that of molasses. Eventually the directories and other related files may collapse altogether and they find themselves with a next to unrecoverable disk problems.
By this time, of course, defragging itself has already become just about impossible. The amount of work required to shift the data into contiguous blocks is immense, puts additional stress on the drive, takes forever, etc etc. The extent of fragmentation of free space at this stage can be simply staggering, and any large files you subsequently write are likely to be divided into many , many tens of thousands of fragments scattered across the drive. Not only this, but things like the "extents files", which record where all the bits are located, will begin to grow astronomically as a result, putting even more pressure on your already stressed drive, and increasing the risk of major failures.
Ultimately this adds up to a situation where you can identify maybe three "phases" of mac life when it comes to the need for defragmentation.
In the "first phase" (with your drive less than half full), it doesn't matter much at all - probably not enough to even make it worth doing.
In the "second phase" (between , say 50% free space and 20% free space remaining) it becomes progressively more useful, but , depending on the use you put your computer to you won't see much difference at the higher levels of free space unless you are serious video buff who needs to keep their drives operating as efficiently and fast as possible - chances are they will be using fast external drives over FW800 or eSata to compliment their internal HD anyway.
At the lower end though (when boot drives get down around the 20% mark on , say, a 250 or 500 Gig drive) I certainly begin to see an impact on performance and stability when working with large image files, mapping software, and the like, especially those which rely on the use of their own "scratch" files, and especially in situations where I am using multiple applications simultaneously, if I haven't defragmented the drive for a while. For me, defragmenting (I use iDefrag too - it is the only third party app I trust for this after seeing people with problems using TechToolPro and Drive Genius for such things) gives a substantial performance boost in this sort of situation and improves operational stability. I usually try to get in first these days and defrag more regularly (about once a month) when the drive is down to 30% free space or lower.
Between 20% and 10% free space is a bit of a "doubtful region". Most people will still be able to defrag successfully in this sort of area, though the time taken and the risks associated increase as the free space declines. My own advice to people in this sort of area is that they start choosing their new , bigger HD, because they obviously are going to need one very soon, and try to "clear the decks" so that they maintain that 20% free buffer until they do. Defragging regularly (perhaps even once a fortnight) will actually benefit them substantially during this "phase", but maybe doing so will lull them into a false sense of security and keep them from seriously recognising that they need to be moving to a bigger HD!
Once they are down to that last ten per cent of free space, though, they are treading on glass. Free space fragmentation at least will already be a serious issue on their computers but if they try to defrag with a utility without first making substantially more space available then they may find it runs into problems or is so slow that they give up half way through and do the damage themselves, especially if they are using one of the less "forgiving" utilities!
In this case I think the best way to proceed is to clone the internal drive to a larger external with SuperDuper, replace the internal drive with a larger one and then clone back to it. No-one down to the last ten percent of their drive really has enough room to move. Defragging it will certainly speed it up, and may even save them from major problems briefly, but we all know that before too long they are going to be in the same situation again. Better to deal with the matter properly and replace the drive with something more akin to their real needs once this point is reached. Heck, big HDs are as cheap as chips these days! It is mad to struggle on with sluggish performance, instability, and the possible risk of losing the lot, in such a situation.

Copied Files to External Hard drive and they are not available now.. where

Please help!
I have a G4 that had an original 20GB Hard drive. I installed a 60GB Hard drive. I was running OS 9 on the 20GB drive and OS X on the 60GB. I was working with a lot of video and pics and filled the 60GB drive, so I added an external 250GB drive.
Recently, I received messages that my start up disk was almost full (60GB), so I moved my users file from the 60GB drive to the 250GB. The file size was 47ish GB and so I thought I would create some room. The move took approx. 40 mins as I copied the folder over to the 250GB drive. Once it was there I verified it only by it's size and once I saw that it existed on the 250, I trashed the users file from the 60GB drive and then emptied trash.
I lost the icons and items on my desktop, however, desktop background remained the same. I cannot access anything that I opriginally had. The users file still has the same folders that it did, but they are now relatively empty. Each folder is approx. 50 kB in size but the users folder still exists as 47GB.
If what I have explained makes sense, can someone help me to either copy back my users folder (I tried that, but the 60GB drive still says it is full) or suggest something else (And not that I am a fool, as I figured that one out already!)
I ran Diskwarrior last night to verify the pathways etc. and everything is in order... I am lost... Please help if you can!
Thanks!
David

Dear David,
Did you move the entire "yourhomedirectory" name over to the 250 gig HD and then did you delete the entire "yourhomedirectory" file?
From what I have read, OS X will always be looking for Desktop, Documents, Library, Movies, Music, etc under "yourhomedirectory". There is some way to tell the system that they are located somewhere else but it is kind of hard.
When you mount the 250 gig drive do you see any of the files that you you moved over?
What do you see when you log into the OS X volume. Are there any files for you to see.
Not really sure what you did but let's see if we can get you fixed.
Dan

How to save Flip video files to external hard drive (and need new vid camera rec)?

I am trying to back up my Flip videos from my MacBook OS X 10.5.8 on to my external hard drive. They will not drop & drag directly from the flipshare software and I did locate all the mp4 files in my finder under "All Videos" where I think I can copy them over but they are not organized by title or anything and I only want to back up the clips I've edited and the movies I've created, not all the raw footage.
I'm wondering if I'm going to have to import all of these files into iMovie in order to do this in a way that will be helpful? that seems like it will take forever since *I think* you have to do them one at a time and I have almost 2 years of footage of my kids...Is there a quick way to import video into iMovie?
Side bar, anyone know of a good video camera that is small & easy like Flip but not part of a phone? My flip has died & since Cisco is abandoning the brand, I need something new.
Thank you!

I am trying to back up my Flip videos from my MacBook OS X 10.5.8 on to my external hard drive. They will not drop & drag directly from the flipshare software and I did locate all the mp4 files in my finder under "All Videos" where I think I can copy them over but they are not organized by title or anything and I only want to back up the clips I've edited and the movies I've created, not all the raw footage.
I'm wondering if I'm going to have to import all of these files into iMovie in order to do this in a way that will be helpful? that seems like it will take forever since *I think* you have to do them one at a time and I have almost 2 years of footage of my kids...Is there a quick way to import video into iMovie?
Side bar, anyone know of a good video camera that is small & easy like Flip but not part of a phone? My flip has died & since Cisco is abandoning the brand, I need something new.
Thank you!

Missing Files? - external hard drive

I have been having issues sharing folders on my external hard drive, which is connected to my MacBook. The folders have been added as shared through my system preferences menu, and the users and permissions don't seem to be a problem. Alas, sharing these folders is still giving me trouble.
While trying to trouble-shoot this issue, I (apparently foolishly) right clicked on one of the folders (Movies) and selected 'Apply Permissions to Enclosed Items'. Ever since doing this, all of the files within that folder are no longer viewable...every subfolder is now EMPTY. I have confirmed that the files are still on the drive and haven't been deleted, but I can not access any of them from my MacBook which is a major problem.
How can I revert whatever settings/permissions I altered by clicking 'Apply Permissions to Enclosed Items'??
Details:
MacBook - OSX 10.7.2
SeaGate HDD formatted as NTFS, running on Mac via Paragon NTFS
Thanks so much for any help!!

With the External HD connected to the AEBS, I went to File -> New -> Folder and named the folder. I had done this a few times, as well as created a few new ones using Picasa and cutting/pasting them into the appropriate folder. I did that a few times. Then one more time I went to File -> New -> Folder on the EHD (not Picasa), named it and hit enter. I got a message saying can't do it because folder doesn't exist. Properties showed correct amount of GB used/remaining. so I know it's there. Latrer I connected directly to PC and folders were there and could be manipulated. I tried reconnecting EHD to USB hub in AEBS and it won't show up as a drive under Computer, but under Network -> <AEBS name> -> drive name.

Fubar with my external hard drive and not all Match items will play in iTunes on my Air but will on Apple TV. Any thoughts?

My entire library is on iTunes Match however after a recent fubar with my external hard drive, whilst I can play all my music through Apple TV I can't access it all on my Air. This was the original device used to download. Any thoughts?
There doesn't seem to be a specific period in my purchasing/downloading that this applies to. For instance, Adele 21 album downloaded at the time isn't playing but Skyfall the single is. Emeli Sande new album downloaded when it came out delivers this message: The song “Heaven” could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it? Same with Bellowhead which was a physical CD uploaded.
I'm not very technically minded so if anyone can help this poor, frustrated individual I would be very grateful.

When you say "when i double click on my itunes files it just opens up this list of music." it doesn't mean anything to me. You need to explain clearly, remember I only know what you tell me.
I need to understand how you have things set up and if you had you iTunes library database on the external drive or the c: drive. That is the iTunes folder containing iTunes library.itl.
What do you see when you open iTunes on the new PC, are your music files there. If not, every time you play a track it gets added to itUnes so you should at least have some files in your library.
What problem are you trying to solve? Is just getting the tracks into your iTunes library, or are you also concerned about ratings, count and playlists from the old PC. If so do you still have access to the old PC?

HT4833 logic files on external hard drive and kernel panic

I was using 2 external HDs via the Sonnet sata pro express34 card in MaBookPro. One ext. HD had only Logic project files, the other had plugins. Logic 9.I.7 installed on the MBP i7 late 2010 (OS 10.6.8), with Motu 828 audio interface via FW400. All this worked for a number of projects (simple stereo masters). Then Kernel panic damaging one ext HD with plugins. Then with just the other extHD connected, problems began. Trying to bounce a song, it stopped and froze, kernel panic with damage to the ext HD.
Seemed Logic could no longer work with the files on the ext HD. Don't know if this began before or after the HD was damaged.
First HD couldn't mount so turned off journaling, mounted and enabled journaling again. Have been backing up all on that HD via FW800, then will erase and format it.
Second HD had
"...Keys out of order
Rebuilding catalog B-tree.
The volume ONETB could not be repaired..."
I backed up the files, erased and reformatted it. Waiting to try the setup again until the problem is figured out.
1) I see there is also a Logic folder on the MBP with 3 projects in it. Did this confuse the program to have this on the internal drive plus a Logic folder with projects on the external drive?
Can I set up the program so all projects always stay on the external drive, instead of a default which created these early projects on the MBP drive?
2) Is this not the problem and the whole thing is a problem with the express/34 card esata drivers/kext files, or 32 bit vs 64 bit, or ...?
Many thanks, chas

I don't see how to edit my post above. I did not intend to title it "HT4833", that was just a page I'd looked at in the learning about Logic stuff, and this showed up in my question title. Strange there seems not to be a way to edit posts.

How can I store my music files on an external hard drive and listen to them through iTunes that way?

How can I store my music files on an external hard drive and listen to them through iTunes that way? At the moment they're both on the external hard drive and also stored on the computer but I'm quickly running out of memory on my iBook G4 so I'd like to only keep them on the external hard drive and, if possible, delete them from my computer's hard drive. At the moment, when the hard drive isn't plugged in a lot of the files won't play and I get the exclamation mark next to the particular song in iTunes, but everything plays fine when the hard drive is plugged in.
Thank you.

Sounds like your files are playing from the external drive already. To check go to iTunes - Preferences - Advanced and check the Media Folder Location. Change it to the external drive if you need to.

External hard drive and viewing files

I have recently upgraded to a 15 inch 2014 Macbook Pro (OS X Yosmite Version 10.10) and imported all my old iMovie files from time machine without any major issues. I'm now running iMovie 10.0.6 and I have since had to move them to a external hard drive and want to delete them off my computers hard drive to free up space, but my problem is this......the files appear under the external drive in iMovie, but under Finder I can't physically see the actual files on the hard drive. Just a film strip icon with what I named the external drive and some old files. Anyone else had this problem or any suggestions?

IIn iMovie 10.0.6 all Events And projects are saved in one iMovie file!!!!! So no chance to see the created events and projects in old filed and folder structure which is a big **** regarding backups as the one file can be TB big although only a small piece in it has changed.

How do I restore iTunes library from Backup files on External Hard Drive?

How do I restore iTunes library from Backup files on External Hard Drive and keep the new iTunes library on the External Hard Drive. I have all the media and playlist and .xml .itl files, just want the iTunes to recognise the content.
I backedup my iTunes content by dragging to External Hard Drive. Formatted and reinstalled OS. My iTunes content is so large, that I wish for the Library and content to remain on the External Hard Drive. I have all the music files and playlists, I just cannot get the iTunes application to display all the content. Hoping to Not have to drag and drop all the content to be recopied into new iTunes organised files.
Troubleshooting this by researching other conversations on the web, I have come stuck for a solution. One Troubleshoot told me to hold down the Command key and then lauch iTunes and a dialogue box will appear to Choose a new library, however when I try this, no Dialogue box appear to give me the option!?

It sometimes has that funny switch symbol on it too.
tt2

I moved my FCP events and projects folder onto my external hard drive and now everything is gone on FCP. When I tried to reload those folders onto FCP nothing happened. I still get the missing files image.

I moved my FCP events and projects folder onto my external hard drive and now everything is gone on FCP. When I tried to reload those folders onto FCP nothing happened. I still get the missing files image. When I try to import the folders manually something pops up that says it is incompatable. It is possible to retrieve everything that was lost?

"When I tried to reload those folders onto FCP nothing happened"
Brownale6 how can u reload folder in to FCP.
As you said folders are moved to external disk but have you checked it should be like this
For Event
external disk>Final Cut Events>your event folder.
For project
external disk>Final Cut Projects>your project folder.

How do I encrypt my external hard drive and subsequently a specific file within it, using my Mac? I tried creating a disk image but permission was denied.

Encrypting an external hard drive and specific folders within. Permission denied using disk image.

VKP90 wrote:
When I tried to encrypt a single file within the hard drive itself, I got the following: Disk Utility Progress: Unable to create "Name of my file" (Permission Denied).
When I tried encrypting the entire hard disk itself, I got: A GUID Partition Table (GPT) partitioning scheme is required.
I have also currently used Time Machine on the external hard drive, along with saving other data. Hence, I am not sure if partitioning is going to delete any of this (a video I watched mentioned that using the + button when creating partitions retains current data). Backing up the external hard drive is out of the option since it is the back up to my Mac.
You can't encrypt a single file. I'm not sure what you did to try. You can make an encrypted disk image which begins with a folder, if desired. Or, you can just create a blank, encrypted disk image, then move your desired files into that.
While you could partition off the free space without erasing the disk, you cannot encrypt it because you need a GUID Partition table which requires you to repartition the entire drive, not just the free space.

How do I make space on my MBP and transfer old files to External Hard Drive?

I recently ran out of the 250 GB space on my 2010 Macbook Pro, so I bought a non-apple external hard drive. I plugged it in and Time Machine automatically popped up.
I just wanted to know what the correct way to transfer all my old files that I'm not using any more and still want to keep to the external hard drive and not use the external hard drive as a "backup" for my laptop but rather as just a place to keep all the files I'm not currently using. Do I just use Time Machine and turn off the automatic back ups? Is there a certain way to transfer individual files to the EHD later (does this happen through Time Machine or just dragging them in through Finder?)?
I've never used an EHD so I'm really unsure on how all this works on a Mac since the instruction manual only gave instructions for PC's even though it is Mac compatible.
Thanks in advance!

Apple doesnt make hard drives, they use Toshiba/Hitachi inside current macbook pro non-retina.
You should always have a backup regardless, and 2 at that. One backup, and one archive, unless losing valuable data is no consideration to you.
use time machine as a backup for restoration /emergency backup and use a separate HD for archiving valuable data.
Using an external HD is as easy and falling down. Buy a nice Hitachi/Toshiba or Seagate external HD, format it in disk utility for MAC OSX extended journaled and drag and drop ALL your valuable data to same and updata as needed.
a nice 1TB external HD is currently running $65
backup with time machine,
ARCHIVE all valuable data, ,music, pics, files, videos etc etc onto ANOTHER hard drive.
2 backups is 1, and 1 is none.
If you always follow that rule that should be written in stone, you'll never be sorry.... (and I know countless 1000s that have been)

I didn't safely eject my external hard-drive and now my files are not showing up on my other computer?

I didn't safely eject my external hard-drive as my imac was in sleep mode and I thought it was shut-down. Now I have turned up to uni and plugged my hard-drive into the uni computers (apple) and the word document I was working on last night (before my computer went to sleep mode, and it may still have been open, I cant remember) is gone.....
I have phoned home and got a family member to try and recover the file. They said they can see it when they open Word under recent documents, however its "ghost" and nothing happens when you click on it.
My question is, when I go home and plug my hard-drive back into my imac, will I be able to recover this word file? or have I lost it forever?

I only saved it to my external hard-drive and saved it at the completion of working on it. However left the document open, went to dinner, and this morning pulled the hard-drive out, whilst the computer was asleep not shut-down and now the file doesn't appear.
I thought when I clicked save then it saved straight away, therefore anything i do after that point (ie a un safe ejection) shouldn't make a difference. Clearly, no matter if you saved the document, if you un-safely eject the hard-drive then the file is lost anyway?

Missing files on external hard drive and unable to delete items in trash

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