Copying Files from Case-Sensitive External to Non-Case-Sensitive Internal?

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Copying Files from Case-Sensitive External to Non-Case-Sensitive Internal?

+(Sorry if this is the wrong sub-forum, I didn't know which one this question fit in)+

I just got a new iMac today and I'm trying to transfer some of my old files (specifically iTunes & iPhoto). My old computer was an MBP & only had an 80 GB HD, so these files were run off an external drive.

I know basically how to copy these files onto my new computer. The problem is that my external drive is formatted as Mac OS Extended (Case-Sensitive, Journaled). So when I try to copy the iTunes or iPhoto folder, I get the following message:

+You can’t copy “iTunes” because it has the same name as another item on the destination volume, and that volume doesn’t distinguish between upper- and lowercase letters in filenames.+

The only option I know of is to reformat my iMac's drive as Mac OS Extended (Case-Sensitive, Journaled). Since Macs ship with the drive formatted as Mac OS Extended (Journaled), I assume that's the best option, and would prefer not to reformat if I don't have to. I've also read that some programs won't run on a case-sensitive drive.

*Do I have any easy alternatives to move my iTunes/iPhoto folders?*

*If not, what negatives do I need to consider when reformatting my iMac's drive to a case-sensitive one?*

Thanks.

iMac 21.5 in 3.2 GHz, Mac OS X (10.6.5)

Posted on Dec 8, 2010 4:15 PM

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Answer 1

Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

Dec 9, 2010 3:55 PM in response to Joel-X

Joel-X wrote:
. . .
The only option I know of is to reformat my iMac's drive as Mac OS Extended (Case-Sensitive, Journaled). Since Macs ship with the drive formatted as Mac OS Extended (Journaled), I assume that's the best option, and would prefer not to reformat if I don't have to. I've also read that some programs won't run on a case-sensitive drive.

Correct; don't format your internal as case-sensitive unless you're prepared for all sorts of trouble, both now and in the future. The minor problem you're having now will multiply into a monster.

*Do I have any easy alternatives to move my iTunes/iPhoto folders?*

Did you delete the iTunes/iPhoto folder(s) already on your internal HD before trying the copy? That may or may not work; even if it does, you may get a message if there are any files with the same name but different cases. If you do, there's no list of them, so you won't know which ones are missing.

Easiest is to just keep them on the same external HD.

You could also create a separate, case-sensitive partition on your internal HD. See #3 in [Formatting, Partitioning, Verifying, and Repairing Disks|http://web.me.com/pondini/AppleTips/DU.html] (or use the link in *User Tips* at the top of this forum).

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Answer 2

Joel-X Author

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Dec 9, 2010 8:13 PM in response to Pondini

Thanks Pondini. I'm glad I didn't reformat then. Here's an update:

I've solved the problem for iTunes, but it was a bit tedious. The problem was obviously several "duplicate" file/folders on my external. In most cases, there was one tiny difference in capitalization on one song of an album that created a duplicate album folder since the drive was case-sensitive. So by dragging and dropping smaller chunks of files at a time, I was able to pinpoint the exact files that caused problems. I then went back to my old computer and fixed these problems in iTunes, making sure that the folders fixed themselves. Finally, it was just a matter of copying my "iTunes" folder to the new computer. I opened iTunes and everything was there.

iPhoto is going to be a bit of a different problem though...because I just remembered that I am switching from iPhoto 6 to iPhoto 9. It seems like the way the files are saved is completely different, and I haven't quite been able to figure it out. So my new question is this:

*Assuming that I solve the "case-sensitivity problem" for my old "iPhoto Library" folder, will a simple drag and drop of that folder to my new iMac allow me to just open iPhoto 9 and have all my photos be there?*

I don't want to spend too much time on the case-sensitivity problem until that question is answered, just in case.

Thanks again

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Answer 3

Pondini

Level 8

38,863 points

Dec 9, 2010 8:33 PM in response to Joel-X

Joel-X wrote:
. . .
I've solved the problem for iTunes, but it was a bit tedious.

Yes, I'll bet! It would be sooo much easier if the Finder would produce a list somewhere.

*Assuming that I solve the "case-sensitivity problem" for my old "iPhoto Library" folder, will a simple drag and drop of that folder to my new iMac allow me to just open iPhoto 9 and have all my photos be there?*

I believe so, as that's how Apple tells you to move it: [Moving your iPhoto library|http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1229].

I don't want to spend too much time on the case-sensitivity problem until that question is answered, just in case.

It may not be as easy to solve, though. That library is a "package," kind of like an app -- actually a folder, but treated as a single object for most purposes. If you right-click it via the Finder and select +Show Package Contents,+ you'll see the file/folder structure.

See the note in the link above -- it sounds like changing file names will break the structure; it may only affect the files you change, but it might be worse.

If you can find the duplicates, you may be better off exporting them via iPhoto, deleting them via iPhoto, then re-importing them under different names. That should keep the structure intact.

At the very least, make a full copy somewhere before touching it.

Good luck!

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