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Level 1

0 points

Can't copy files, Error code -36

Hello,
I noticed after I upgraded to 10.6 I was having issues copying files from one external HD to another.
I have 2 WD MyBook's, one is macOS formatted and one is FAT32 (for pc compatibility.)
I am trying to copy a folder of video files from the mac to the fat drive and I get the error "Finder could not complete the operation because some data in "such and such.m4v" could not be read or written. Error Code - 36 "
the file in question has a valid file name and was copyable in the past. If I don't copy that file it will randomly pick another one in the bunch and stop again. It also will give the error if I try to copy "such and such.m4v" by itself.

I ran repair permissions on the mac formatted external and a PC scan disk on the FAT32 one, still no change. Out of curiosity I tried copying the same files from the external to the interanl HD on my mac and it does the same thing so its not just an issue of copying to the FAT32 drive.

I waited for a couple of updates (installed 10.6.2 last night) and this still has not been fixed. I really need to back these files up to the other drive now, anyone have a solution?

Aluminum 20'' iMac 2.4ghz, Mac OS X (10.6.1), 4gb RAM 320gb HDD

Posted on Nov 11, 2009 7:45 AM

33 replies

Nov 12, 2009 1:52 PM in response to chadbedinger

I've had similar problems and it appears to be a bug in 10.6.2 and it does not occur in 10.5.8. I started a new thread with all the details:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2231572&stqc=true

Nov 12, 2009 4:12 PM in response to iMiNg@dEu

I suggest you try Dropbox. It's free up to 2Gb and it's a great way to share files between your computers.

See one of their videos on how to use.

Tour

logie50

Level 1

0 points

Nov 13, 2009 3:28 PM in response to iMiNg@dEu

Hi, I'm finding the same thing. The only way I've found to get files onto a fat32 hard disk is to mount in windows (parallels) then access the files via a mapped drive to the mac, then copy using windows. Never had this problem before now and I've used the same drive for years to copy files to PC's etc. I've formatted the extHD MBR+FAT using the Mac again to refresh. -36 errors all over the shop. BUT, zip the files up so they don't have a package structure to them, and they copy ok as long as finder doesn't have to create the directory.

Nov 13, 2009 3:36 PM in response to logie50

Yes, it seems to be related to allocating space for a directory. Individual files seem OK. Zipping the directory is a pain, but a good idea to work around for now.

Nov 13, 2009 6:58 PM in response to William Ooms

Not sure if this is related but I always get the same error when copying files to my Mobile Me account using Finder.. Always stops and gives me the same error. I am, however, able to copy files to Mobile Me using a web based interface.

Robbie28

Level 1

4 points

Nov 15, 2009 10:06 AM in response to chadbedinger

I've got this problem too! Seems like Snow Leopard has created more problems for me that it's solved. Pffffffftttttt.
I'm forced to copy my files - recreating my folder structure as I go.

-Robin

Nov 21, 2009 10:40 AM in response to iMiNg@dEu

I booted my iMac into 10.5.8 from an external clone in order to use Dg PhotoArt album building software that wont run in Snow Leopard.

Then I copied my finished jpegs to a CF card complete with a folder structure based on photo dimensions. Later I copied from the CF card to a different iMac. Then I tried to copy from the iMac to various USB Pen Drives and thats when I get the error 36 message. The folder copies but not the content.

Trying to copy direct to SDHC from CF via the Finder gives an 'already exists' message. Press OK and the folder copies but not the contents.

The workaround is copy the contents first and recreate the folder structure inside the USB device. I cant test on Windows but Linux has no problems reading the Pen Drives and SHDC.

This seems to be a Snow Leopard 10.6.1 or 2 problem. Unless my three iMacs hard drives are simultaneously up the creek.

A.

Nov 21, 2009 11:17 AM in response to Alan Williams

This Terminal line also moves a desktop folder to a USB device with all sub-folders and contents intact.

mv /users/name/Desktop/folderName /Volumes/usbName

A Finder bug in 10.6.2 seemingly.

Nov 22, 2009 10:28 AM in response to Alan Williams

agree an having the same issues also

Nov 25, 2009 3:28 AM in response to iMiNg@dEu

After purchasing a new imac i7 27" and a macbook pro 2.53 13", I am also having a problem, seemingly random, copying files to a variety of destinations, including USB Stick and Firewire drive.
Both worked fine under 10.4.11.

Come on Apple, sort it out....

My entire backup is on my Firewire drive and it needs to work....

dpn48312

Level 1

11 points

Nov 25, 2009 4:49 PM in response to Alan Williams

This does not work for me. Instead of mv, I used cp to copy a folder called temp. Terminal responds with "temp is a directory. (not copied)".

The message itself sounds pretty deliberate to me. If I copy a file it works fine, but not for a folder.

dpn48312

Level 1

11 points

Nov 25, 2009 5:13 PM in response to dpn48312

Ahh.. I discovered the ditto command for terminal instead of cp. That worked fine. Thank you for mentioning Terminal.

Nov 26, 2009 1:24 AM in response to dpn48312

Its interesting how different folk are affected with this issue. My 17 inch iMac is totally unaffected whilst the 24 inch Macs all work fine with external Firewire drives but not USB pen drives.

Rather than use Terminal I have found greater flexibility and speed in a very simple Automator construction. Using two actions from the Files & Folders section. When saved as a workflow its simple to define the source and destination by means of the interface without any typing.

Just use GET SPECIFIED FINDER ITEMS plus COPY FINDER ITEMS in the workflow. Easy-peasy.

It works every time for me.

AW

gfann18

Level 1

45 points

Nov 26, 2009 7:44 PM in response to chadbedinger

I've noticed that this issue occurs when you are moving files to a MS formatted drive but not a MAC drive. I think it's just a little bug, I'm sure Apple will correct shortly.

Nov 28, 2009 2:21 AM in response to Alan Williams

I concur this workaround solves the problem until Apple implement a fix.

Can't copy files, Error code -36