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iMovie error -2009

Over the past couple of days I have generated several movies about an hour in length using iMovie. No problems until now and nothing has changed with the process. When I try to export the movie I get the following error.

"Unable to prepare project for publishing. Project couldn't be prepared for publishing because an error occurred. (-2009)."

I've checked capacity of computer and the external hard drive. Both have at least half of their capacity available, tried exporting to either location. I also tried to export a file that I was successfully able to export yesterday and get the same error message now. I keep the computer offline, no connection to network or internet. I've only had this computer a few months and the only purpose if it is for video work.

Any suggestions welcome.

imac, Mac OS X (10.6.5)

Posted on Mar 4, 2011 11:20 AM

Reply
5 replies

Mar 5, 2011 8:16 AM in response to intheknownow

Hi

Can't find Error -2009 in Apple Error list so a Google search and it indicated
some sort of lack of memory.

So if You got lot's of free space on Your hard disks - especially Start-up one.

Then I guess that the external ones might be wrongly formatted.

How are it/they formatted ?

Should be - Mac OS Extended - NOTHING else will work for VIDEO

• UNIX/DOS/FAT32/Mac OS Exchange - WILL NOT DO

Yours Bengt W

Mar 9, 2011 8:57 AM in response to Bengt Wärleby

Thanks Bengt. It is Mac OS extended for the external. There is over 500 GB of free space on both local and external hard drives. To avoid any issues that external drives can have I'm just using local hard drive. I've even tried repairing the permissions on the internal hard drive where we are importing to and from after working in iMovie.

Unfortunately still not working.

Apr 19, 2011 5:55 PM in response to intheknownow

It's is amazing that we have to do so much researching to find out what the error code -2009 means. Apple does not even tell us. As frustration was starting to set in because of course my macbook is out of warranty - a revelation occurred. I tried renaming the movie with no spaces & dashes and what do you know? IT IS PUBLISHING as I type this message! I hoped this helps everyone one who has tried all kinds of fixes.😉

iMovie error -2009

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