I can't copy big size files to my 1TB external after lion up

Question

I can't copy big size files to my 1TB external after lion up

I have a 1 TB external HDD, 2 partitions a 174.5GB MAC OS EXTENDED used as a backup and an 825.23 MS-DOS(FAT32) for everything else. before i upgraded to LION it works fine. after LION i copy a 800MB movie file to either of the 2 partitions it shows the file being copied and the gray file icon is there but after the process is complete the file isnt there and the HDD size doesnt change. while when i try to copy a 7GB file to either of the partitions this message appeares (The item “123.mkv” can’t be copied because it is too large for the volume's format).

am using a macbook 13" dual core 2.4ghz 4gb ram. ---

i tried my brother's HDD and i faced the same issues. however on his MBK its fine.

i honestly don't want to try and restore before LION and do the process again coz i would have to download LION again, and i also can't transfer the files on the external HDD coz its too big and i don't have anywhere to put them.

if anyone has a solution please do post. otherwise i would have to re-do 30hrs woth of work again coz its not backed up

thanx

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7)

Posted on Jul 26, 2011 1:30 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Mirco85

Level 1

75 points

Jul 26, 2011 2:47 AM in response to anasfromauckland

Hi,

You cannot copy file of 7 Gb to Fat32 partition cuz thist file system support only file sizes up to 4 Gb.

The strange thing is that 800 Mb file is not copying.

Did You tried smaller files ?

Did You checked permisions for external hdd?

Cheers,

Mirek

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Answer 2

Jul 26, 2011 3:48 AM in response to Mirco85

HI,

That's kinda strange, i really believe i have tried to copy files larger than 4GB to the HDD before on leopard, but maybe am confused on that.

i repaired the permissions on all the HDDs even the enternal one.

and i actually tried a document file of maybe 60KBs and the same thing on both partitions.

i think the good news is that i checked on the backup of TimeMachine and yep it backedup files "weooh" i tried and created files on my own and checked the back up and its there.

the weired thing is when i try to copy those same file my self ( Drag n Drop or Copy n Paste) its not working on either partition.

i would really appreciate a solution where i wont have to restore to leopard and re-install lion, i would be happy to provide who you with more detail if you might be able to help

cheers,

Anas

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Answer 3

Jul 27, 2011 8:51 AM in response to Mirco85

Hi everybody,

If that's true that i can't copy files over 4 GB to a fat partition, then there is something wrong with the whole computer system on earth..

But i realy don't think so i also am pretty sure i've done alot of times under snow leopard..

I do suffer from the same problem with the same error message, thats why i also need help with the issue.

Thanks in advance

wanismina

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Answer 4

Jul 27, 2011 8:57 AM in response to wanismina

If that's true that i can't copy files over 4 GB to a fat partition, then there is something wrong with the whole computer system on earth.

Here is an article written in 2003 that explains the confusion folks are having here:

http://www.windowsitpro.com/article/file-systems/understanding-file-size-limits- on-ntfs-and-fat

The solution? Don't use any Fat. Loose the Fat. Get healthy with HFS.

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Answer 5

Jul 27, 2011 1:14 PM in response to coocooforcocoapuffs

I have no confusion over any of this, i mentioned in my post above that i cant even copy a 60KBs txt file to either of the partitions (MAC OS EXTENDED and the FAT32) and also the 7GB file cant be copied to the MAC OS EXTENDED. so its not just large files.

HOWEVER time machine seems to backup files fine.

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Answer 6

Jul 29, 2011 5:09 PM in response to anasfromauckland

hey guys,

i have fixed the issue by re-installing LION.

my HDD copies files perfectly

Cheers,

anas

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Answer 7

hasigz

Level 1

0 points

Jan 11, 2012 2:27 AM in response to anasfromauckland

Dear All

The Flash drive or hard disk must should be formatted as MS-DOS (FAT)

if you want to copy big file size Run Virtual Machine and run operating system like windows xp or windows 7 or any other operating systme in Wmware then drag file from mac to windows OS flash drive or hard disk or any other removeable media

you can copy it easily any big size no problem

thanks

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