Issue with saving file to external HD in lieu of desktop

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Level 1

8 points

Issue with saving file to external HD in lieu of desktop

I have a mac running the latest OS with a WD passport for mac installed. I can save a file (like word or other) to the mac HD and then copy and paste it to the external HD. However, if I select the external HD when performing save as, it does not work.

I can move files to and from the external HD just fine. The issue is when going to save a file, I select save as, select the external HD, name the file and click save....it waits a second to two and then pops the save as screen back up and doesn't save. Again, I can save the file on the actual mac HD just fine and I can transfer files to and from the external HD just fine.

Is there a setting that needs to be adjusted? Any help is appreciated.

Posted on Apr 2, 2020 8:50 AM

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Answer 1

BDAqua

Level 10

245,591 points

Apr 4, 2020 5:09 PM in response to MAG00

In Finder's Menu, select Go menu>Go to Folder, and go to "/volumes". (no quotes)

Volumes is where an alias to your hard drive ("/" at boot) is placed at startup, and where all the "mount points" for auxiliary drives are created for you to access them. This folder is normally hidden from view.

Drives with an extra 1 on the end have a side-effect of mounting a drive with the same name as the system already think exists. Try trashing the duplicates with a 1 or 2 if there are no real files in them, and reboot.

If it does contain data...

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2474

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Answer 2

MAG00 Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 2, 2020 9:24 AM in response to MAG00

Here is a pick of each external HD when bringing up their info. On the WD Passport who is system and wheel? ON the WD My Book who is staff and everyone? Just FYI, my self and my wife are admins on the computer and we have three kids with user log in (so 5 users) and then guest. What do I need to change to make it where me and my wife are the only ones that can read and write to these drive. Prefer for the kids to be read only (not edit).

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Answer 3

rkaufmann87

Level 10

144,910 points

Apr 2, 2020 9:00 AM in response to MAG00

What is the format type of the EHD, it should be Mac OS Extended (Journaled). If you don't know how to check it, select it in Finder and then type Command + i and you will find the format type in the window that opens.

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