This file is locked or in Use. Would you like to open a copy of it?

I use AppleWorks more than anything else, and understand the work arounds. Here is the problem, everytime I open a previous file I get this message, "This file is locked or in Use. Would you like to open a copy of it?" I copied applications from a previous iMac. When I try to open copy of the document, I get the above message. When I try the save command I can't, even a save as doesn't work either. Any thoughts or ideas for a resolution.

I have found that this problem is due to OS X's ownership & permissions. When you create & save a document in AppleWorks in OS X the file is owned by you & no one else can make changes without your permission. If you don't have the same account name as on the other Mac, you'll need to change the permissions. Click on the file to select it, then choose "Get Info" from the File menu. Now click on the triangle next to "Ownership & Permissions" & change Group & Others permissions to "Read & Write."
The save problem may be solved by deleting the AppleWorks preferences.

Similar Messages

This is a new notification coming up with iTunes, why and how do I fix it? The song "Penny Lane" could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?

This is a new notification coming up with iTunes, why and how do I fix it?
The song “Penny Lane” could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?
Max

Hey xxCreepyFiaxx,
First, I would try the following suggested steps for when you don't see content in iTunes after updating:
Quit iTunes.
Download and install the latest version of iTunes.
Use the Finder (Mac) or Windows Explorer (Windows) to go to the iTunes folder that contains the iTunes library files:
Mac OS X
/Users/username/Music/iTunes/
Microsoft Windows Windows XP and Windows 2000
\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\
Microsoft Windows Windows Vista and Windows 7
\Users\username\Music\iTunes\
Drag the iTunes Library file from the above location to the Desktop.
Open the Previous iTunes Libraries folder in the iTunes folder.
Locate the file named iTunes Library YYYY-MM-DD where YYYY-MM-DD is the date you upgraded iTunes (Year-Month-Day).
Drag this file to the iTunes folder (the enclosing folder).
Rename this file to iTunes Library.
Open iTunes.
You should now see your missing content in iTunes.
via: No content shows up in iTunes after updating
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1967
If that doesn't resolve the issue, then I'd go through the steps in here:
iTunes: Finding lost media and downloads
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1408
Have a good one,
Delgadoh

TS1718 Why do I get this message: The song "title" could not be used because the oringinal file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?

Why do I get this message: The song "title" could not be used because the oringinal file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?

John Black3 wrote:
Many of my songs in my iTunes Library no longer play. I get this error message: "The song xxx could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?
this usually happens when a user moves or deletes files in the finder - a sure way to upset iTunes.
did you move or delete files in the finder ?
I cannot locate the song.
if you let iTunes manage your library, all your content will be in <MacintoshHD>/users/<yourname>/music/iTunes/iTunes music (or media)/music. did you look there ? tried a spotlight search ?
if the files are really gone, and have been purchased from the iTunes store, see Downloading past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store.

My iTunes says: "The song ".............." could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?" How do I solve this ?

My iTunes says: "The song “..............” could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?" How do I solve this ?

That means iTunes cannot find the music file associated with the listing in its database. The first thing to do is simply say "yes" and then try to find the file it should be. If there are many entries like this, did you rename or move any files or folders with media? Also run disk utility and check your drive isn't corrupted and losing files left, right and center.

HT204406 The song "If We Are the Body" could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it? This notice keeps coming up even though I have iTunes Match. What do I do?

The song “If We Are the Body” could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it? This notice keeps coming up even though I have iTunes Match. What do I do?

This usually means the original music file has been been deleted from the HDD. If you feel it has not then click "locate" and navigate to where the song file is on the HDD and choose it. You can use Spotlight to locate it if necessary.

After installing iTunes 10.5 update i get the following message when trying to play any song in my Library "The song could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?" how do i fix this??

I have an iPod Classic and work on Windows 7.
i recently installed iTunes 10.5 update and since then i cannot play any of the songs in the Library - i get the following message
"The song could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?"
what happened to all my songs (almost 2000) How can i get them back into my music library?
Please help - i do not want to spend another week downloading all my cd's onto my computer !!!!!

Try my script FindTracks. Select a few of the missing files to start with then run the script. Choose No at the first prompt so that you can check how it works track by track, then confirm or edit the location of the media folder where your files are. Once you are happy with how it behaves let it process larger numbers of tracks automatically.
tt2

Some of the songs I have downloaded onto i tunes won't play when I select it to do so. The error message I get is "The song could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?" How can I get my songs to play?

Some of the songs I have downloaded into i tunes won't play when I select it to do so. The error message I get is "The song can not be used because the original file can not be found. Would you like to locate it?" When I select yes I'm sent to a screen that has my i tunes library listed. When I select the song in question I'm asked if I would like to open the song. When I select this option I get nothing. The songs I have downloaded must be somewhere because they are listed in my i tunes library and on the screen I've been sent to. I can't the songs to play however. This is not true of all of my songs but it is true of quite a few of them. Actually, one song is too many. How do I get my music to play that seems to be locked up somewhere in the computer?

Presuming they're on your computer, right click on them and then follow the prompts to locate hte file on your computer.

On some of my files there is a ! in front of it, if I try to play the song, I get an error message; "The song "_____" could not be used, because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?" Then when I click "Locate", I get nothing.

I'm really dumbfounded on this one and it's driving me bonkers!!!! On some of my music files there is a ! in front of it, if I try to play the song, I get an error message; "The song "_____" could not be used, because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?"
This began to happen when Chuck made playlists2burn on2CD-and then he would delete the playlist; sending all the song files into oblivion. Certain songs have a ! right next to the file name, and as I stated before, i get that error message:
"The song "_____" could not be used, because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?"
So I click on "Locate". No help. I get a menu with folders that say "catroot" and other folders which names I cannot remember, but I scroll PAST the file folders, & it's just a bunch of ".DLL" files.....I don't understand what any of the names of the folders mean...it's frustr8ing-coz this is my 2nd iTouch, my 1st one got stolen & I can't afford2buy my music back at this time & i NEVER before had a single problem with losing song file locations.
              Is there anyone out there who has been through this frustrating game of chasing your tail?....<that's how I feel>
If so I would be ever so gr8ful if maybe someone with the knowledge would be so kind as 2 tell me how/where 2 retrieve these songs & how to put everything back where it belongs, I would be 4ever gr8ful !!!
I can't afford 2 replace the songs just like I'm unable 2 buy back my old music from my stolen iTouch....man that was an awesome collection-someday I'll be able 2 afford 2 do that & I would like 2 have all the new music that I paid 4 but cannot find when I got my new iTouch....that would just be wonderful.
             I hope someone sees this post that can help me retrieve these files....losing $100.00 of iTunes is a REAL BUMMER!!!!!!
                                                  ThanQ SO very much!
                                                                         [email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected] .
                                                                                           You can also find me on Facebook, my given name is Tiffinie Trimmer, &
                                                                                            that's my Facebook "handle". ThanQ 4 taking the time 2 read all of this!
                                                                                            hope 2 get a reply someday....I'll B checking all my emails & my Facebook, as well
                                                                                            as marking this page in my FAVORITES so I can find it fast! Take Care!!!

I was not complete clear.
Since you never changed the settings in the advanced section of iTunes preferecnes, you have to chech that your music is really in the location setted in the folders reported in the advanced section. If not you have 2 ways: reset the position of this folders or in the actual disk organisation or in the pointing on the preferences.
If you press the reset button you just give to itunes its default setting as for the position of the music files: probably this will be a good choice if you have never changed any default preference.
But before I would check the folders and see if the songs are really there
In my iTune I have this, and I believe it is the default.
Users/YOURHOMEFOLDERNAME/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music

I tried to play my iTunes and suddenly get an error message that says "The song (name) could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it now?" It happens on all my tunes and each one I select ends up with a "?"

I tried to play my iTunes and suddenly get an error message that says "The song (name) could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it now?" It happens on each tune I select and a "?" appears beside the song. Does this sound familiar to anyone?

I was not complete clear.
Since you never changed the settings in the advanced section of iTunes preferecnes, you have to chech that your music is really in the location setted in the folders reported in the advanced section. If not you have 2 ways: reset the position of this folders or in the actual disk organisation or in the pointing on the preferences.
If you press the reset button you just give to itunes its default setting as for the position of the music files: probably this will be a good choice if you have never changed any default preference.
But before I would check the folders and see if the songs are really there
In my iTune I have this, and I believe it is the default.
Users/YOURHOMEFOLDERNAME/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music

ITunes tells me "Could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?" I can locate it and all my other music, but can only open one song at a time. How do I set it to open all my music whenever I want it?

iTunes tells me my song selection: "Could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?" I can locate it and all my other music, but can only open one song at a time. How do I set it to open all my music whenever I want?
Message was edited by: Woildbill

I just spent several hours dealing with this when switching to a new PC. It was extremely frustrating as I knew my files were on my external HD but no matter how many times I copied my old iTunes folder over the files were still missing...because dummy me had forgotten to "unhide folders" on my new PC and my old files were actually stored in a hidden folder created long long ago.
This is how I did it on Windows 7 with iTunes 10
1. Look in iTunes Advanced Preferences to see where iTunes is saving files. (Edit, Preferences, Advanced)
Example: C:/Users/Woildbill/My Music/iTunes/Music
2. Ensure you are able to see hidden files - Control Panel, Folder Option, View, Show Hidden Files
3. Use Your Computer's Search Function to Locate the Missing File (Start, Search, type name of song - I started my search in "My Music" folder but be sure to expand to entire Computer if not found right away)
4. In Search Results, right-click found folder and select properties. This will tell you where the file is actually stored.
5. Use Windows Explorer (right-click start) to navigate to the location of the file. It is likley your other missing files are in the same location.
6. In Windows Explorer, copy the newly located files to the iTumes location from Step 1 and everything should work again.
Hope this helps!

My iTunes account sayscould not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it? whenever i click on a song and i didn't move the songs anywhere. I don't know if i saved them to my hard drive so i can't find any songs

I downloaded something that was told to me to get to put some of my itunes songs onto my android phone. I think it synced my account, though. Whenever i click on a song an exclamation point comes up and something pops up and says "could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?" and i don't remember ever backing up my songs (this computer is fairly new) and now none of my songs come up. I have no idea what to do but ive spent hundreds of dollars on this account purchasing from the itunes store. Please help me!

Tunes works through a database file which has a list of your tracks. When you click on a track it looks up in the database which file it needs to play, then plays the file. If something breaks this link then you get ! The two main ways to get ! are to move a file from where iTunes expects it to be, or to delete it altogether. I don't know which has happened in your case. You can try using Spotlight to find a file for the one referred to in a broken link. If the files have been moved then they need to be moved back. If they were deleted completely you will have to restore them from a backup or download them again from the iTunes Store and rebuild your library.

The song could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?

Suddenly unable to access & play music in iTunes, I have paid for.
Frustrating - *** apple?
Attemps I have made to no avail...
1) Choose one specific broken file. Press CTRL+I to Get Info. Navigate song myself...
This lead me through music>itunes>itunesd media to an Empty envelope with the song name.
2) Retrieve song from previous back ups.
I went to my external hard drive updated with Time Machine & was again lead to an empty folder with the song name that has an ! beside it in iTunes.
3)
iTunes WILL NOT let me download it again. It says "play" beside the song title instead of "purchase" (as it should) but even when i try to play it from iTunes says "The song could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?"
which of course leads no where.
4)
Checked iTunes for songs that needed to be downloaded - nothing.
5)
Not in trash bin
I have not moved or renamed any songs.
There are not multiple copies of the same song in my music library.
songs are apparently missing & so not able to be put into a new folder.
like most, i truly do not have time to take time out to find multiple songs or i purchased via itunes .
so frustrating.
Help very much appreciated.

Previous purchases may be unavailable if refunded or if no longer on the iTunes store.
•Downloading past purchases from the iTune Store, App Store, and iBooks Store:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2519
•iTunes - Apple Support:
http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/
•iTunes: Apple Support Communities:
https://discussions.apple.com/community/itunes
Sorry that your missing purchases no longer appear available.
Not sure what other recourse you have.
Good luck & happy computing!

Got a new computer now I'm getting a new error "The song could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?"

So i got a new computer and before i did i backed up al my music onto an external hard drive. I downloaded itunes and went to put my music back on and when I unplug my hard drive i get this message "The song could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?". I have close to 3500 songs so its a little annoying that i cant update or sync my ipod/iphone. Are there any tips or tricks you could help me with in order to fix this problem

Here is the folder hierarchy of my /Home/Music/folder:
Music folder
iTunes folder
iTunes Media folder
Music folder
Note that the contents of this last folder in the hierarchy will be different on your computer.

TS3694 Error: The Song " " could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it? Cannot find song.

When I try to pay a song from my itunes page a message pops up that says, The Song " " could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it? When I click of locate it cannot be found. This problem just started after I plugged in my new iPod Touch. After unplugging the ipod none of the songs in my iTunes library will plat. HELP PLEASE.

i've gotten that message after i delete a file so i think that is what is happening to you

GETTING A MESSAGE IN ITUNES "The song "School Days" could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?"

GETTING A Message in itunes for evry song saying The song “X” could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?
Do I need to erase the entire library and re load it, have over 200,000 songs?

If it is just the one track, you need to re-link the file which iTunes needs to play when you select that track listing in iTunes. Do this by saying "yes" when it asks you and then go to the file it should play.
If it is doing this for many files then something has happened to cause a bunch of links to break. Often it is something the user has done such as messing directly with the contents of the iTunes folder. If that's the case, try undoing what you did. if it is the case but not the cause then you will have to be a lot more detailed in posting about your setup and exactly what is happening.

This file is locked or in Use. Would you like to open a copy of it?

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