Where did my desktop folders go?

Upgraded to Lion and three folders I had on my desktop are gone. I tried using Time Machine ( I can see them there) but when I click restore, no folders appear. Also the desktop picture keeps going back to the default Lion Universe (but that's another issue). Lion has not been very user friendly or intuitive. My trust has taken a hit on this Lion thing.....

Try this command in Terminal - it is harmless and just makes sure that your Desktop folder is deemed "visible" by the OS. If the visibiity preference is not the problem, then the command will not change anything.
Launch Terminal (Utilities folder)
and type (or copy-paste)
chflags nohidden ~/Desktop
hit return.
Anything?

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Where did my iPhoto folders go?

I upgraded to 10.10.3 and it transferred my iPhoto library to photos automatically without asking me if I wanted to. I had folders in iPhoto but I do not see them in the Photos app. Where did my folders go?!

Moments in Photo are the new Events, i.e. groupings of photos sorted by date taken.
When the iPhoto Library was first migrated to Photos there was a folder created in the sidebar titled iPhoto Events and all migrated iPhoto Events (which are now Moments) are represented by an album in that folder. Your albums from iPhoto will be there also. To open the sidebar if it's not already open use the Option+Command+S key combination.
There's a way to simulate events in Photos.
When new photos are imported into the Photos library go to the Last Import smart album, select all the photos and use the File ➙ New Album menu option or use the key combination Command+N. Name it as desired. It will appear just above the iPhoto Events folder where you can drag it into the iPhoto Events folder
When you click on the iPhoto Events folder you'll get a simulated iPhoto Events window.
The downside to the simulation is that the Album/Events can only be sorted automatically by Title. But they can also be sorted manually, either in the sidebar or in the folder's window at the right.
Ask Apple for more sorting options in Photos via https://www.apple.com/feedback/photos.html.

Where did my picture folders go?

I thought this went too smoothly. I just transferred all my files via firewire from to my new MacBook Pro from my two year old PowerBook G4. All the dated (year, month, date) pictures folders have disappeared. All the pictures show up in iPhoto -- although a little jumbled --- but there are no folders showing in the finder.
(I discovered this when I went to attach a photo to an email in Mail.)
Where are they? Help. Thanks in advance.

Jane
There's actually no need whatever for the hack now:
There are three ways (at least) to get files from the iPhoto Window.
1. *Drag and Drop*: Drag a photo from the iPhoto Window to the desktop, there iPhoto will make a full-sized copy of the pic.
2. *File -> Export*: Select the files in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export. The dialogue will give you various options, including altering the format, naming the files and changing the size. Again, producing a copy.
3. *Show File*: Right- (or Control-) Click on a pic and in the resulting dialogue choose 'Show File'. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.
To upload to MySpace or any site that does not have an iPhoto Export Plug-in the recommended way is to Select the Pic in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export and export the pic to the desktop, then upload from there. After the upload you can trash the pic on the desktop. It's only a copy and your original is safe in iPhoto.
This is also true for emailing with Web-based services. If you're using Gmail you can use THIS
If you use Apple's Mail, Entourage, AOL or Eudora you can email from within iPhoto.
If you use a Cocoa-based Browser such as Safari, you can drag the pics from the iPhoto Window to the Attach window in the browser. Or, if you want to access the files with iPhoto not running, then create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use THIS
Also, for 10.5 users: If you use the extended Open or Attach dialogue (with Column View) you can scroll to the bottom of the Shortcuts and find the Media browser there. Select any pic you want from there.
You can set Photoshop (or any image editor)as an external editor in iPhoto. (Preferences -> General -> Edit Photo: Choose from the Drop Down Menu.) This way, when you double click a pic to edit in iPhoto it will open automatically in Photoshop or your Image Editor, and when you save it it's sent back to iPhoto automatically.
Regards
TD

Where did my desktop files go?

I had some files that I use a lot on my desktop in snow leopard that disappeared when I upgraded to lion. One of them I really need but can't find it. Any ideas where to start looking?

Did you have any kind of backup? If not try navigating to the desktop via the Finder menu Go>Desktop it has happened to me that this way I can see my files. I personally don't have this problem in lion but you can try these options.
Hope you get your files back.

Time Machine did not back up desktop folders?

Hello, I've been backing up my mid-2010 iMac 21.5" for over a year and a half every 24 hours to my external hard drive via Time Machine.
Recently, I just got back from a very lengthy and important trip where I was commissioned to take photos and videos. I made sure to do another time machine backup every day for a week until I needed to send the photos and videos in. I keep all of my photos and videos in separate folders on my desktop.
In that week time period, I sold my iMac in order to buy a Macbook Pro (needed the portability). No problem, just boot the Macbook while holding CMND+R to enter rocovery, and restore from my time machine backup on my external drive.
After booting up my Macbook, I noticed there were no folders or files on my desktop that I had originally on my iMac. Actually, there was virtually nothing the same that I had from my previous machine. There are now missing documents, applications, and many other VERY important files that I need to have.
My question is, where are these files? These backups took ages to perform, but what exactly was it even backing up? I desperately need these photos and videos for my job's sake. And they are nowhere to be found. I've tried entering Time Capsule and dating back weeks and months prior, none of which have any traces of files or folders being on my desktop. If anybody could help me out, or fill me in on a missing step perhaps, it would be much appreciated. Thank you.

I'm going to come accross sounding like a bitter old man . . .
Mac user since 1990. At the time, the whole cornerstone of the OS was "People don't want to learn how to use a computer. They just want to do their work." I bought it. Every piece of software (and operating system) I used was intuitive. You'd say "how do I . . ." and within moments, you could figure it out. No manual. No help.
To my dismay I've discovered (just bought 2 new Mac Minis for my business) that this is a thing of the past.
Case in point is Time Machine. I've just discovered, as did RoganLigby, that folders on the desktop are NOT backed up. Fortunately I discovered this (quite by accident) before a drive failure occurred.
My question: Why?
Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why?
What possible purpose is there to not backup items on the desktop? Perhaps more importantly, wouldn't it be a good idea to tell users that this is the case? Near as I can tell, there is no option to specifically add desktop folders to the backup.
Does anyone at Apple actually use their own creations?

When Firefox asked me to update where did all my shortcuts that were on my desktop go? They were very important and I need them back!!!

I had all my work shortcuts on my desktop and when I restarted my computer today the only ones on there were Mozilla and one other everything else I had on my desktop was wiped out, where did they go and how do I get them back???

Firefox 4 requires at least OS X 10.5 and an Intel Mac.
* http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/4.0/system-requirements/
For an unofficial Firefox 4 compatible version (TenFourFox) that runs on PowerPC Macs with OS X 10.4.11 or OS X 10.5.8 you can look at:
* http://www.floodgap.com/software/tenfourfox/
Firefox 3.6.x (Mac OS X 10.4 and later) can be found here:
* http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/all-older.html
* http://kb.mozillazine.org/Bookmarks_history_and_toolbar_buttons_not_working_-_Firefox
* http://kb.mozillazine.org/Lost_bookmarks

Where did this backup window come from on my desktop. I have always used time machine to backup to an external disc and within the last 2 weeks, this backup window keeps appearing. Where did it come from? Thanks for any help

where did this backup window come from on my desktop. It specifies personal data & settings and tells me when the next backup is scheduled [which I never set up]. I have always used time machine to backup to an external disc and within the last 2 weeks, this backup window keeps appearing. Where did it come from? Thanks for any help

To check your S.M.A.R.T status open disk utility and click on your drive and then click on the info icon.

BaseSystempkg folders? Where did these come from?

Hello everyone,
This morning I formatted my hard drive and reinstalled Leopard from my DVD disc. After installing OS X I noticed three folders in my Macintosh folder, BaseSystempkg.146tc7TE9, BaseSystempkg.... I have reinstalled Leopard OS X before and have never noticed these folders. Where did they come from and should I be concerned?

Those folders appear to have been left behind by the Mac OS X 10.5 installer, and can safely be deleted. They were supposed to have been cleaned up after the installation.
(37068)

My documents and application folders are no longer on the dock, where did they go?

my documents and applications are no lnger on the dock, where did they go, how do I put them back?

Items in your Dock are actually aliases. The original items should be where they always were. The Applications folder is at the top level of your hard drive, and your Documents folder is in your home folder.
To recreate the those items in your Dock, open a Finder window (Finder > File menu > New Finder window.) For your Documents folder, click on the icon on the left of the Finder window that has your username on it next to a house icon. Look for your Documents folder. Drag this folder into the Dock. That places an alias of it in the Dock (the original item remains where it was.)
To get so you can see the Applications folder, click it on the left side of the Finder window, then go to the Go menu and select Enclosing Folder. Now drag the Applications folder from here into the Dock.
That should do it. Best of luck.

HP LaserJet Enterprise 500 551dn - where did the drivers go?

I go to the download page to download the drivers for this 551dn. I download all windows 7, 8, 8.1, 2008, 2012, so that i can put them on my print server. I downloaded them from here..
<http>//h20564.www2.hp.com/hpsc/swd/public/readIndex?sp4ts.oid=5081348&lang=en&lang=en&cc=lamerica_n...
when i get the file, lets say for windows 7/64bit, i choose...
HP LaserJet Enterprise 500 color M551 Printer Series PCL6 Print Driver (no Installer) 61.130.04.12834
24 Sep 2014 21.3
I get the file downloaded (LJEnt-color-M551-Drv-no-installer_12297.exe), i run it, get the security warning and Run. the file extracts - then POOF, the installer is gone.
where did the files go? They aren't on the root of the C: drive, a folder/files were not created on my desktop, no files or folder created in my downloads folder.
I was never asked for a file save location.... ??? really? is this this basic stuff?
Where are the files? this $$$ printer is a brick until i get drivers!
Thanks!
Jason
UPDATE- I FOUND THE FILES!!
First of all, HP... i'm not impressed.
All the files for all the drivers are in a series of temp folders...
C:\Users\-myusername-\AppData\Local\Temp\3\7zS4A73
really?
hope this helps someone.

There is no change to this problem after 6 months since the last post. Put simply, and as stated in the previous posts, there is no way to scan a document and receive the image on your PC. If you are working with graphics for any length of time or want to create an image for inclusion as an image in a document or web page using this piece of equipment will not allow you to do so.
Great shame as every other function works well - it cannot be beyond the wit of HP to include a Windows application that enables you to scan an image, receive it in the software you are using at the time (e.g. Outlook, Word, Photoshop...) and use it in your work.
HP Printers several years older than this £1000+ Enterprise printer were able to do this simple job and have done so for a great many years. Just being able to use Microsoft's Fax and Scan would be start.

All desktop folders disappeared

One day after I started up my ibook, I noticed all my desktop folders and info were gone. No where to be found. Luckily there wasn't a lot of important info there.
Everything on the hard drive is still there, all my apps, etc.
Is there anything I can do to retrieve the folders without paying someone to try to retrieve the info? The trash is empty so nothing is there.
When I search for something that was on the desktop, the search results say
"The alias could not be opened, because the original item cannot be found."
Then the options are: Delete Alias, Fix Alias, OK.
Any suggestions? Any options that don't involve painstaking code etc.?

Hi cornelius,
This is so odd, I just posted almost the identical reply at about the same time you did but mine is not showing up in thread for me. It does show in my posts but by no method going back to the thread is it showing for me....very strange.
Looks like Discussions is having another prolonged delay to posting again for some reason.....I'll hop over to Feedback About Discussions to see if others are seeing this...of course by the time you see this my post will most likely be showing up....
hope all is well with you,
littleshoulders
edit: Yep, there they are....strange that the posts are taking so long to post to the thread...
Message was edited by: littleshoulders

Where did my wedding photos go? Vanished when I split even - HELP!

I split an event in order to have enough room to burn photos on a CD ....when I went back to the split event of the photos I did not copy, the photo's were gone! The thumbnails were missing and the photos were missing. I see a gray square were the thumbnails should be and when I enlarge I see a black and white !.
I rebuilt the photo library several times and also rebuilt it through iphoto library manager....the photo's still have not appeared.
Where did they go?

How did you split the Event? Did you do it using iPhoto for from the Finder? If the latter then that's why you're getting the "!", a sign that iPhoto has lost the file path to the original files.
You may have to result to the following:
Creating a new library while preserving the Events from the original library.
Move the existing library folder to the desktop.
Open the library package like this.
Launch iPhoto and, when asked, select the option to create a new library.
Drag the Originals folder from the iPhoto Library on the desktop into the open iPhoto window.
This will create a new library with the same Events as the original library if you have the Finder checkbox unchecked in the Events preference pane.
Then with some manipulating you might be able to get the original library back.
1 - open the original library and delete all of the "problem" photos by dragging them to iPhoto's trash and emptying it. Keep it to batches of 100 or less.
2 - open the new library, locate the "missing" photos and export to folders on the Desktop.
3 - open the original library and import the folders with the "missing" photos. '
Hopefully this will keep your organization for the library, keywords, etc. and recover those missing photos.

Ahh! Where did My Pictures go!?

I tried to get the folder "My Pictures" which contains ALL of my pictures and sub folders etc etc onto my Desktop by Dragging the "My Pictures" Icon from the Finder onto the Desktop and then a little DUST smoke thing appeared and now I can't find it!!
Where did it go? I'm panicking! I can't lose all my pictures...and it definitely couldn't be that easy to lose them all?
I'm sure there is a simple solution but I'm completely lost...where has it gone?

I have no idea where it went but I went to GraphicConverter and tried to see if the folder actually did in fact disappear off the face of the Earth but it was there and I just had to go to Users then I found it, made a duplicate of the folder and moved it to my Desktop and back to the normal place in the Finder.
I honestly don't know what that was all about, though! It really scared me haha.

Where did the simple CSS view go?

Until recently I could hit OPTION+SHIFT+Y in Firefox (desktop for Mac) and I'd be able to quickly view a webpage's CSS rules. I can't any longer. I'm not sure but I think this was a built-in tool from Firefox. Did this get dropped? Or moved? Where did this go?

Unfortunately, that doesn't match any of the shortcuts for the built-in developer tools on this page, but maybe you can find an updated shortcut: https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Tools/Keyboard_shortcuts
If not, could it have been a feature of Firebug (or another add-on)?

Where did my iTunes go?

Where did my iTunes go? I upgraded my iphone4 and it removed my iTunes and other apps too. What happend and how can I get iTunes back on my iphone4..? Also a photo album from my iPhoto on my computer sync with my iPhone and I cant figure out how to delete that album.

Go to Settings>General>Restrictions and make sure iTunes is set to On. If it is then look through all your screens and inside all your folders because it can't be deleted.
You delete albums synced to your phone by unchecking them on the Photos tab of your iTunes sync settings and syncing your phone.

Where did my desktop folders go?

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