Corrupting JPG Files

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Level 1

4 points

Corrupting JPG Files

I inserted a USB memory stick into my MacBook loaded with jpg image files from a Widows 10 PC. I viewed all of the images in my MacBook but when I returned the USB stick into the Windows PC, all of the files appeared to be corrupted. I tried many different applications including Corel and Adobe Photoshop to open the files but all apps stated that the files were corrupt. I looked at the files ad noticed that a prefix had been added to each of the fie names. Normal file names were " _423nnnnn.jpg " (where n is the number of the file) but after use in my MacBook al of the files became : ._43nnnnn.jpeg " Please can you tell me what caused this to happen while I was viewing it on my MacBok?

Thanks in anticipation.

MacBook, macOS 10.15

Posted on Dec 6, 2019 5:38 AM

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Answer 1

HWTech

Level 9

69,464 points

Dec 7, 2019 8:19 PM in response to Sonny3golf

macOS can write a lot of additional "hidden" files to a drive, but are visible within Windows. I hate the clutter it adds to may network drives & USB drives. The files with a leading "dot" would be a hidden file on macOS and is only meant for use on macOS. Are your original files still on the USB drive in addition to these new files? If so just ignore these "new" files or delete them. However, they will be recreated again if you use this drive on a Mac again.

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Answer 2

HWTech

Level 9

69,464 points

Dec 8, 2019 11:35 AM in response to Sonny3golf

macOS and Linux use a leading "dot" in the file name to hide a file from view. AFAIK Windows will see these files with a leading "dot" because the leading "dot" does not denote a hidden file in Windows unless this has changed in more recent versions of Windows.

If the original pictures are no longer on the drive, then I'm not sure what happened as I do not use the Photos app. Check to see if the Photo app's import settings delete files from the original location. My guess the picture files with the leading "dot" are thumbnails of some sort.

Sorry I cannot be of more help.

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Answer 3

Sonny3golf Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 9, 2019 1:36 AM in response to Sonny3golf

Thank you for your rapid response. Luckily, I have the originals intact so all is not lost.

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Answer 4

Sonny3golf Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 8, 2019 3:28 AM in response to HWTech

Thank you for your rapid response.

Yes, I thought the problem would be along the lines you mentioned and now you have confirmed my suspicions!

Luckily I have the original files on my back up hard drives so can restore to original state.

During my travel away from home, I load the SD card contents into a WD MyPassport Wireless and was hoping to transfer to my MacBook for viewing and still be available for use on a Windows 10 PC. Now it seems I cannot as the files on MyWireless will be corrupted!

You mentioned that the hidden files are visible on on Windows 10 PC but I could not see it. If there is a way to view the added file then I wonder whether it can also be removed so that the images can be also be viewed on the Windows PC?

Thanks once again for your rapid and helpful response

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Corrupting JPG Files

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