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

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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

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.

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

Hi Friends... I'm trying to delete a back-up file on mu TC but I get the message "The operation could not be completed because the item "bands" is in use. I'd like to start the Back from scratch, could help me out with deleting the current file?

Hi Friends...
I’m trying to delete a back-up file on mu TC but I get the message “The operation could not be completed because the item “bands” is in use. I’d like to start the Back from scratch, could help me out with deleting the current file?

Sorry, I am very confused. I asked the following question....
Is this the only backup file on your Mac, or do you have other backup files and data on the Time Capsule disk?
The answer that you gave was....
This is the only one
Now you are saying that....
But I have lots of other files on Time Capsule! The back up file is only one of them.
Can you clarify, please?

The share operation "master file" has failed. the operation could not be completed because an error occurred creating Frame 93164 (error-1). how can i find the frame?

The share operation "master file" has failed. the operation could not be completed because an error occurred creating Frame 93164 (error-1). how can i find the frame?

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6219522

The operation could not be completed because there is not enough space on the destination disk

I have 124Gig of space left on my HD, when I try to export my movie i get this error "The operation could not be completed because there is not enough space on the destination disk" I have read some of the threads went in and deleted the iMovie Preference file but no luck.. any Ideas? Thanks!

You need the System DVDs that originally came w/the computer in order to troubleshoot. All Macs prior to & including ML came w/System DVDs.
You can get replacement System Install & Restore CD/DVDs from Apple's Customer Support - in the US, (800) 767-2775 - for a nominal S&H fee. You'll need to have the model and/or serial number of your Mac available.
If you're not in the US, you may need to go through the regional Apple Store that serves your location to find the contact number. Here's a list of links to all of those - http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/intlstoreroutingpage.html Another resource: International Support Phone #s.

The operation could not be completed because an error occurred when creating frame 6105 (error -1).

I am trying to share a project and after the 3% of sharing the project it appears this message.
The operation could not be completed because an error occurred when creating frame 6105 (error -1).
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The operation could not be completed because an error occurred when creating frame 19788 (error -1).

When attempting to build a quicktime movie from my video project on final cut pro I got this message "The operation could not be completed because an error occurred when creating frame 19788 (error -1)".

Kathy ...
Better to post your topic in the Final Cut Pro community here.

The operation could not be completed because an error occurred when creating frame 570 (error -1)

Hi everybody,just started with FCPX and the following occured:
The operation could not be completed because an error occurred when creating frame 570 (error -1)
Result is that i can not share to my hard disk.
If anybody could help me out here....?

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The operation could not be completed because an error occurred when creating frame 2829 (error -1)

I'm getting this error code in Final Cut Pro. The operation could not be completed because an error occurred when creating frame 2829 (error -1). What does this mean and how can I fix it? This code comes up when exporting.

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Please help i can't share my project I did try in all of them and it doesnt work it apears like that........ The share operation Master File has failed The operation could not be completed because an error occurred when creating frame 608 (error -1). and

I did try in all of them and it doesnt work it apears like that........
The share operation Master File has failed
The operation could not be completed because an error occurred when creating frame 608 (error -1).
and i dont know what to do plese hlp me....
Re: when i try to share my project to quicktime aroun 50% appears error -1 and i can't share it what to do please help

Double post…

I have a pop up window that says "Sorry the operation could not be completed because an unexpected error occured (Error code -61). What does that mean?

I am using a portable USB storage drive connected to my laptop. I am trying to delete a file from the USB drive but it is not working. A pop up window appears that says "Sorry the operation could not be completed because an unexpected error occured (Error code -61)". What does that mean and how do I fix it? Thank you.

All I can tell you is that is a write permissions error. How is this drive formatted? Check the file's permissions. You can try:
Open the Terminal application in the Utilities folder. At the prompt enter:
sudo rm -rf
Leave a space after "-rf" and drag the file into the Terminal window. Press RETURN. You will be prompted to enter your admin password which will not be echoed.

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

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