Can't copy files from USB drive to Lion OSX

I updated yesterday and am having the same problem. I'm out of town on business and really need this to work. Another coworker also updated and is having the same issue. I can copy folders to the flashdrive, but all files inside the folder dissapear! This bug is literally rendering my macbook pro useless for work right now. Its about to get thrown outside into traffic. GRRRRRR!

Just to see, how are you copying? Drag and drop or keyboard shorcuts? If you haven't tried one of those, try it and see if it works.

Tried drag and drop, keyboard shortcuts, and right click copy paste.

@Odessit- I had the same problem... seems to be a bug in Lion which will hopefully be resolved in an upcoming software update.

In the meantime, I resolved the issue by doing the following:

1. Sent file using AirDrop from USB drive connected to my iMac to my Macbook Pro.

2. Once downloaded onto MB Pro, I AirDropped it back to iMac's harddrive

Not the quickest solution (file was approx. 450mb) but it managed to 'trick' the system and copy succesfully. I imagine you could do the same by loading the file you want onto a USB and AirDropping it between machines.

Hope this helps.

J.Calvano

I had the same problem when I try to drag drop files from lion to USB drive. Note: I upgraded from Snow Leopard to lion.

Work around:

- Launch Terminal

- use the "cp" command

- example of use....

cp <location of file to copy> <destination target>

eg. I wan to copy the file "xyz.avi" in my desktop to my usb drive mounted name "myusb" do this.

cp /Users/myusername/Desktop/xyz.avi /Volumes/myusb/

The prompt will appear again once the transfer is complete. And your usb drive will have the file.

This definitely works, I tested it many times.

Cheers,

Message was edited by: sukhdevrajan

Message was edited by: sukhdevrajan

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Message was edited by: sukhdevrajan

@sukhdevrajan- The problem is moving files from USB to desktop, not the other way around.

@john_calvano - the "cp" command works both ways. I tested it out.

here try this.

cp /Volumes/myusb/xyz.avi /Users/myusername/Desktop

Note: Some how drag drop doesnt seem to work (both ways -> from USB to lion and vice versa). But the "cp" command from Terminal works.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

I have similar issue. I can't copy files at all sometimes: nor in local file system, nor from/to SMB connection, nor from/to usb drive. Copy not working with drag and drop not with cmd-C/V. Looks like this is Finder regression because after "killall Finder" copying working.

@smirnoffjr - Yes you are correct too, If you kill the finder (pressing Option and click and hold on Finder icon, then click on Relauch), fixed this issue. But I think this is temporary as there is something causing the finder to go in to this state.

However, no matter what state it is in, the "cp" command will work.

But yeah, good discovery, @smirnoffjr.

Cheers,

@sukhdevrajan. Thank you- worked well. 🙂

Has anyone tried calling Apple to see if they are aware of this problem and offering solution in an update?

I noticed also that in Preview, the sidebar view auto-populates to the left side (second icon in the toolbar). In Snow Leopard we were able to move it to either side- I prefer it on the right. Anyone found a solution to this?

J.Calvano

Try airdrop

Oh man! This is so bad. I can use Terminal and cp to copy but its pretty embarassing that file copy with the Gui doesnt work.

Apple - are you guys working on this fix?

Thanks,

Samir

I have the same problem, i confirm killing finder works. How did this get past Apple QA? lol. Anyway i hope this is fixed soon.

Likewise, having problems copying to USB drives. This is happening on both of my MacBook Pro's. Like you guys say, it works fine if you use the cp command, or if you kill Finder before trying to do a copy.

I do wonder how something so fundamental can have got through the QA process...