Missing Folder

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Level 1

8 points

Missing Folder

I have a stack of folders on my Synology NAS that I have been accessing for years via Finder (in Mojave, v10.14.6). Last week a folder containing my audiobooks disappeared. I have no idea why. I have neither done any updates nor made any changes. The folder is still on the NAS, in the same location, and with all its contents visible (seen via DS File, a Synology utility). I can still listen to the audiobooks via the Naim and Linn music apps and Minimserver (from my iPad), but there is no sign of them in Finder although all the other folders on the NAS are visible there. When I try to create a new folder with the same name and in the same location, Mojave doesn't let me as it says the folder already exists, which, of course, I know it does. So the Finder displays no folder existing but won't let me create it as it says it does exist. I have done all the usual searches via Spotlight for the folder and files it contains but they have all come up with nothing.

All help appreciated.

MacBook Pro Retina

Posted on Sep 26, 2019 3:53 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Luis Sequeira1

Level 9

73,254 points

Sep 26, 2019 4:19 AM in response to Cowgap

Obviously the folder is still there so probably it just became hidden.

If open its location in the Finder and then press

Command-Shift-.

can you see it?

Then you may just open Terminal, type the following (don’t press enter!)

chflags -R nohidden

leave a space at the end; drag the problem folder over the Terminal window; press enter.

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Answer 2

Sep 27, 2019 8:48 AM in response to Cowgap

Not just command-shift... it is COMMAND+SHIFT+PERIOD (sorry if that was not clear).

This is the command to toggle showing hidden files in the Finder.

You can go to any folder location by pressing COMMAND+SHIFT+G, or selecting Go->Go to Folder...

which opens this window:

You can drag the containing folder into the text box, then type a slash "/" followed by the name of the hidden folder.

For example, if the hidden folder is called "MyFolder" and is at /Volumes/MyDrive/Stuff,

it will look like this:

When you press Go, if the path and folder names are correct, you should see the contents of the folder.

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Answer 3

Cowgap Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 27, 2019 8:38 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Thanks for replying.

"If open its location in the Finder..."

Sorry, but I'm not sure what you mean by this. I've selected its parent folder and pressed Command-Shift with no luck. I still can't see the folder. I'm not sure what pressing Command-Shift does? I've used Terminal to check for any differences between the "hidden" folder and its neighbours but there aren't any. I don't know how to see the "hidden" flag.

Within Terminal I have bash set up but when I move to the Synology drives sh seems to be the shell. Does chflags work with both? It doesn't seem to.

Thanks for your help.

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Answer 4

Cowgap Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 27, 2019 8:41 AM in response to VikingOSX

I don't use it that often so shut it down every time I use it. I have never had a folder hidden like this before and have no idea what I have done. As I said it is visible when I'm logged into the DiskStation, using Synology's file manager; just not through the Finder.

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Answer 5

Cowgap Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 27, 2019 8:57 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

"Command-Shift-Period"

Entirely my fault. I can see it clearly now. And the folder. I've used your instructions as advised previously and have my folder back. Thank you very much.

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Answer 6

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,266 points

Sep 26, 2019 4:01 AM in response to Cowgap

How often to you reboot your Mac? I have a Synology downstairs and it serves content to my Desktops via AppleShare over TCP/IP. No Finder amnesia here. No lost folders or content have occurred. Mixture of macOS Mojave 10.14.6 (18G95), High Sierra 10.13.6, Ubuntu 18.04 LTS, and Windows 10 clients.

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Missing Folder

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