Can't save to desktop

Question

Can't save to desktop

I occasionally have a problem saving files to my desktop. Sometimes I want to quickly save a file to the desktop with plans to move it to another folder later. The desktop folder shows up but has a red circle with a "-" sign in it, showing me I can't save the file to this location. Can someone explain this to me, I switch to a Mac a couple years ago?
Thanks

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Aug 1, 2009 6:33 AM

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Answer 1

Aug 1, 2009 6:42 AM in response to Doug in Alaska

Hi,

If you open your Little House icon (Home Folder) you will see the folders that it contains.
You will see that your Desktop is one of these.

If you Click once on it to Highlight then do a "Get Info ( Apple Key and i together) you will get an Info pane.
Near the bottom is Ownership and Permissions
Does this indicate you Own the folder and hare Read & Write permissions to it ?

2:42 PM Saturday; August 1, 2009

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

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Answer 2

Aug 1, 2009 8:58 AM in response to Doug in Alaska

Yes, and it shows I have Read & Write permissions.

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Answer 3

Aug 1, 2009 9:04 AM in response to Doug in Alaska

Ok,

In a Save Dialgue box if you use the drop down that heads the box it should show you the Path back to the Hard Drive via your Mac User Name.

In some cases it will remember the path that was Last used in some apps.

Is the Desktop you are trying to Save In belonging to another Mac User account on your computer ?
Or are you In another Mac User account ?

5:04 PM Saturday; August 1, 2009

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

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Answer 4

Aug 1, 2009 9:49 AM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

I'm in my own account and the desktop I tried to save to belongs to my account. I tried to replicate the problem and can't see the 'cannot save to' sign now. Perhaps it was remembering the path last used. I'll keep an eye on it. Thanks for your help!

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Answer 5

Aug 1, 2009 1:33 PM in response to Doug in Alaska

No Problem.

9:33 PM Saturday; August 1, 2009

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

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