operation can't be completed because an item of same name already exist

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operation can't be completed because an item of same name already exist

Hi, my first post. I've search the net for similar problems but nothing exact.

I have a Maxtor OneTouch 4 (1TB)that just returned cos I got it exchanged. While it was being exchanged, I used a Maxtor OneTouch (640GB). I had transferred everything from my 1TB to the 640GB.

Now that the 1TB's back, I want to transfer everything back. But when I try to transfer anything from the 640GB to the 1TB, an error message appears saying "operation can't be completed because an item "(of same name)" already exist."

After I click OK on the error message, only the folder gets copied over to the 1TB but NONE of its contents.

This only happens when I transfer folders. If I were to transfer individual files, e.g a picture, it's successful.

Things that do work:
- transferring files and folders from computer to both HDDs
- transferring files and folders from either HDDs to computer

So the only problem is transfers between both HDDs.

I read some thread that repairing permissions might help but when I enter Disk Utility, "Verify Disk permissions" or "Repair Disk Permissions" are both greyed out.

Does anybody have experience with this problem? Please help, the 640GB is exploding!

Thanks in advance!

Macbook (white), Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Nov 12, 2009 10:13 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

iBerzerker

Level 1

4 points

Mar 30, 2017 3:51 PM in response to subcrapper

Hello, I'm Dragon Berzerk.

There is a problem when you copy files from a Mac to a NTFS Disk, after time when you connect any NTFS Drive to a Mac, macOS make an index to entire disk, (When you can write a NTFS disk on macOS) so macOS make the invisible .DS_Store file type.

There is the problem the .DS_Store have a bug or something in NTFS file system…

The solution is on Terminal.

Open up Terminal (Applications > Utilities > Terminal or press command + space and type "Terminal")
On Terminal type: cd
After cdpress space bar, drag and drop your folder you wish to copy into Terminal window. Hit enter/return

Like this example:

User-Mac-Pro:~ User$ cd /Volumes/SpecialDisk/Not\ is\ P0rn

4. Now type: find . -name '.DS_Store' -type f -delete

Would be look like this example:

User-Mac-Pro:Not is P0rn User$ find . -name '.DS_Store' -type f -delete

5. Press Enter… Wait some seconds.

6. Now in Finder close the window with your files and open it again, is just to update folders.

And thats all the .DS_Store files are deleted. Copy your files on Finder as normal.

macOS will create new correct .DS_Store into Mac Disk it's normal.

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Answer 2

V.K.

Level 9

56,174 points

Nov 12, 2009 10:21 AM in response to subcrapper

you should repair disk, not permissions. repair both external disks. then try again.

also, if you really want to copy everything from one disk to another you can just clone it. you can use the restore tab in disk utility or a 3rd party cloner like CCCloner or Superduper. this works better than copying massive amounts of data via finder.

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Answer 3

subcrapper Author

Level 1

1 points

Nov 12, 2009 10:24 AM in response to V.K.

But will repairing the disks change anything on the disks?

thanks for your prompt reply!

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Answer 4

V.K.

Level 9

56,174 points

Nov 12, 2009 10:26 AM in response to subcrapper

subcrapper wrote:
But will repairing the disks change anything on the disks?

no. it will fix file system problems if there are any.

thanks for your prompt reply!

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Answer 5

subcrapper Author

Level 1

1 points

Nov 12, 2009 7:52 PM in response to V.K.

Thanks alot for your help. I'll post back when I've tried it when I get back tonight. 🙂

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Answer 6

subcrapper Author

Level 1

1 points

Nov 13, 2009 7:29 AM in response to V.K.

hey V.K. I've done what you suggested. The problem still persists. any other options? thanks 🙂

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Answer 7

V.K.

Level 9

56,174 points

Nov 13, 2009 7:47 AM in response to subcrapper

subcrapper wrote:
hey V.K. I've done what you suggested.

were there any errors reported?

The problem still persists. any other options? thanks 🙂

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Answer 8

subcrapper Author

Level 1

1 points

Nov 13, 2009 8:02 AM in response to V.K.

you mean during the verifying and repairing? no, both were smooth and fast.

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Answer 9

V.K.

Level 9

56,174 points

Nov 13, 2009 8:07 AM in response to subcrapper

sorry, I don't know what's going on then. could be some strange hardware issue with the drives. check with manufacturers of both drives to see if there require any special drivers and if there are updates for those. other than that I can only suggest using CCCloner or superduper to move all the stuff from the old drive to the new one.

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Answer 10

subcrapper Author

Level 1

1 points

Nov 13, 2009 8:10 AM in response to V.K.

alright then. Thanks alot V.k 🙂

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Answer 11

kdb1

Level 3

770 points

Nov 13, 2009 8:22 AM in response to subcrapper

If you still have everything on the 640GB, have you tried using Disk Utility to erase 1TB HHD and reformat before trying to copy the data back? have you tried using the restore option within Disk Utility to copy the data back instead of doing it manually?

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Answer 12

subcrapper Author

Level 1

1 points

Nov 13, 2009 8:29 AM in response to kdb1

"have you tried using Disk Utility to erase 1TB HHD and reformat before trying to copy the data back?"

Yes, I had to format the 1TB to FAT before I use it.

"have you tried using the restore option within Disk Utility to copy the data back instead of doing it manually?"

There's nothing on the 1TB to restore because I sent it in for warranty exchange. So its brand new, nothing in it.

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Answer 13

V.K.

Level 9

56,174 points

Nov 13, 2009 8:50 AM in response to subcrapper

subcrapper wrote:
"have you tried using Disk Utility to erase 1TB HHD and reformat before trying to copy the data back?"

Yes, I had to format the 1TB to FAT before I use it.

whoa there. why did you format the drive FAT? that's an obsolete windows drive format and OS X is known to have various issues with it. this may easily account for your problems. strongly suggest you reformat the drive mac os extended.

"have you tried using the restore option within Disk Utility to copy the data back instead of doing it manually?"

There's nothing on the 1TB to restore because I sent it in for warranty exchange. So its brand new, nothing in it.

he was suggesting that you use the restore tab in disk utility to copy the 640GB drive to the new 1TB one. that's what I suggested too but I mentioned using superduper or CCCloner.

but you really should reformat the drive first. the only reason to use FAT is if you want to use the drive from both mac and windows. but then you'll likely have to live with the quirks of FAT and OS X.

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Answer 14

subcrapper Author

Level 1

1 points

Nov 13, 2009 9:12 AM in response to V.K.

i use fat cos i want to use it for my windows partition as well (boot camp). before i sent my 1TB for an exchange (the cable was screwed and it kept ejecting on its own so i changed, just to be safe), it was in fat for a whole year and no problem.

I'm really not familiar with the restore tab. care to walk me through it?

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Answer 15

V.K.

Level 9

56,174 points

Nov 13, 2009 9:23 AM in response to subcrapper

the use of the restore tab is quite simple. click on the restore tab in disk utility. drag the source drive to the source field, target drive to the target field, check the box to erase the destination (if you want) and hit 'restore".

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