{file} is used by Mac OS X and can't be opened

Question

Level 1

77 points

{file} is used by Mac OS X and can't be opened

This file is a video file and the lock that OS X has on it is persistent between reboots.

Anyone know how to get OS X to let go of the file and let me watch it please?

Thanks

iMac 2 & 2.66GHz * Mac Mini HT * 2x MBPs * iPhone 3G * TC 1TB, Mac OS X (10.5.8), Thecus NASLite XP FreeNAS 'LiteOn Netplayers' Soundbridge

Posted on Jan 3, 2010 6:14 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Busta999 Author

Level 1

77 points

Jan 3, 2010 7:41 AM in response to Busta999

I should add the error message is "Item {filename} is used by Mac OS X and can't be opened"

I have it stored on an external USB drive, the error occurs under 10.5.8 and 10.6.2.

It occurs after a reboot.

I am somewhat surprised that I am the first person ever to encounter this problem. I have searched long and hard for fragments of the error message in the Apple Discussions and it cannot be found.

Anyone got any clues?

Thanks

Reply

Answer 2

ecarter9

Level 1

0 points

Jan 8, 2010 6:37 PM in response to Busta999

I too have the exact same problem. I copied files to an external NTFS formated USB drive. I can not access them. If I copy them it fails with this message, if I try to open it, same thing.

I took this drive to a windows computer, moved files to new location, still have same problem. Renamed files on windows computer, and moved them to new location. Then back to mac and same problem. I can not access these files no matter what i try.

Reply

Answer 3

Busta999 Author

Level 1

77 points

Jan 9, 2010 7:57 AM in response to Busta999

The problem I am encountering is all on Mac on Mac disk formats etc etc

I worked around this by deleting the file from the command line using a sudo command.

Could not find any GUI way of fixing this bug.

Reply

Answer 4

macnoel

Level 4

2,624 points

Jan 9, 2010 4:58 PM in response to Busta999

Did you try changing permissions to authorize yourself (and others if desired) so you could read / write this file?

Changing permissions is the standard way of dealing with such locked files - provided that they are not "normally" owned by the System. Do NOT change permissions if you know specific files are owned by the System normally.

Also - if the "Locked" button (in the Get Info dialogue window) is checked, uncheck it.

Video files - to my knowledge - are never owned / used by the System so it should be safe to change permissions on this file.

Message was edited by: macnoel

Reply

Answer 5

Busta999 Author

Level 1

77 points

Jan 10, 2010 3:25 AM in response to macnoel

Nope it wasn't a permissions problem I could detect.

I owned the file, could read and write the file, but for some reason OS X had opened the file and had not closed it properly, so it denied you access to it.

t blocked open, read, play, write, delete, move, copy everything.

The only way to to clear it was to delete it, which is pretty drastic and VERY VERY naughty.

There should be a GUI option to reclaim the file back from the OS, and the remedy should never be to delete a file. But I could find no way aroun dit. and Nor could anyone on the Apple Forums.

Reply

Answer 6

macnoel

Level 4

2,624 points

Jan 10, 2010 9:39 PM in response to Busta999

Busta99
Thanks for the response. Indeed - I've never heard of such a thing as you describe.

Wondering: what app are you using to open this video file and what is the video file format?

What I'm thinking (just in case you haven't tried this) is that you could do a Get Info on this file and then use the "open with" dialogue to assign (or re-assign) the proper application for opening that file and all other video files with that file extension.

Just a chance that might correct the System ownership issue.

Other than that, the only alternative I can think of is to log in as Root User and go from there. I think you would then be able to play the video but you won't want to stay on as Root User - that's for certain.

While logged on as Root User, you might again try changing permissions or even try using a video conversion app to change the video file to a new format - and then rename and apply permissions.

I think the real probability isn't going to please you: I think this file is corrupted and if it's the only copy you have, it's "junk." But the above experiment would likely prove that either way.

Reply

Answer 7

Busta999 Author

Level 1

77 points

Jan 11, 2010 12:08 AM in response to macnoel

I am using Quicktime or Plex to watch the divx video, nothing clever.

I have found a few of these now since I moved to Snow Leopard. Something odd is happening.

If I move the USB HDD it is on to my Leopard iMac it is still closed.

I have tried using the Get Info and everything is OK permissions wise.

Not sure permissions or how to change them using Root.

I just have to re-rip the movie from DVD and delete the file.

Just hope it does not happen to a file I cannot easily replace.

Reply

Answer 8

macnoel

Level 4

2,624 points

Jan 11, 2010 9:06 AM in response to Busta999

Busta999,
Well, from what you say I think the file is corrupt in some way that causes this permissions error.
One last thing I just thought of: Can you copy-paste the complete file name here? That may not be necessary because you could see for yourself if this video file began with a dot "." If it does begin with a dot, that can be removed by renaming the file.

As for logging in as Root User, you will want to look at this Apple Knowledge Base article for future reference whether or not you try it in the present.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1528

I'm glad you can replace that file.

But you say you're seeing other odd things... do you want to elaborate on that?

Reply