Locked File Issues

Question

Level 1

9 points

Locked File Issues

Hi, everyone. Over the past couple of weeks or so a problem has developed on my Mac with saving files, usually with an accompanying error something like this: "Could not save as “fileName.ext” because the file is locked or you do not have the necessary access privileges." I've had this happen in Photoshop and Illustrator, as well as in Safari when trying to download a PDF off of my job's server. It continues even if I manually unlock the file on my hard drive. Why is this happening? I never had this issue before upgrading to Lion. I don't have Time Machine running, but just in case, I disabled its locking feature. It didn't help. This is a major hassle for me, as it is interfering with my work. Help, please! Thanks so much in advance. 🙂

Posted on Oct 18, 2011 5:23 PM

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Answer 1

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Oct 22, 2011 1:27 PM in response to dog opus

Every file, folder, and volume has Sharing and permissions settings. I've seen some postings that mention Fetching, which indicates that you might have sharing or iCloud stuff running. I don't use either, but you might want to disable that if you have it. Also, try a google search for fetching site:apple.com, which has many hits, including this one: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3198307?start=0&tstart=0

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Answer 2

dog opus Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 22, 2011 11:47 AM in response to baltwo

Well, for example, I have a screenshot on my desktop. When I get info. on it, there is no check in the box next to "Locked." Sharing & Permissions is as follows:

Me: Read & Write
Fetching: Read only
everyone: Read only

If I'm saving a new file from Photoshop, I don't think there is any Sharing and Permissions info. to report, right?

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Answer 3

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Oct 19, 2011 10:46 AM in response to dog opus

This might help, as long as you have a folder wherein the problem exists.

From Niel:

How to unlock all folders and files in one "main" folder

Open the AppleScript Editor.app in the /Applications/Utilities/ folder and enter the following:

tell application "Finder"

set locked of every item of entire contents of (selection as alias) to false

end tell

Select the "main" folder in the Finder and run the script.

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Answer 4

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Oct 19, 2011 8:36 PM in response to dog opus

Copy the script into the window that pops up when you launch the AppleScript Editor, click on the folder you want to reset, and then run the script. That will unlock every locked file/folder in that selected folder.

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Answer 5

dog opus Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 21, 2011 9:36 PM in response to baltwo

Sorry, I haven't gotten back to this thread for a little while – end of the week work craziness. Okay, baltwo, I have something different to report on. I still can't save my Photoshop files to my machine, but I've discovered that I can save them to an external drive. Any insight? I'm really at my wit's end here, and I'm sorry to be a bother.

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Answer 6

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Oct 21, 2011 11:28 PM in response to dog opus

Were you able to unlock all the locked files you reported on earlier? As for the new issue, that appears to be an ownership issue. Open one of those and get info on it. then check the same one on the ext HD and do likewise. Report the Sharing & Privileges information.

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Answer 7

dog opus Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 22, 2011 10:05 AM in response to baltwo

Well, that's part of why this is so weird. These files aren't actually locked! When I get info. on them, they don't show as locked, and furthermore, it happens when I make a new file and try to save it to my desktop or any folder. So, it definitely appears to be an issue strictly with the volume(s) on my machine, while those connected as peripherals are just fine. I wish I knew how to get to the bottom of this mystery, and I appreciate your time and patience in assisting me thus far.

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Answer 8

Oct 17, 2012 7:01 PM in response to dog opus

Hi,

I had fix this problem. I can save ai file to pdf file now.

change the permissions via Get info option

change the folder permissions and change the file permissons to read & Write

make sure before open the lock icon and when changed close the lock.

Good luck!

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Answer 9

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Oct 18, 2011 10:57 PM in response to dog opus

Start with these:

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Answer 10

dog opus Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 19, 2011 3:59 AM in response to baltwo

Yes, I am able to see other parts of the page, thanks, and I checked out those other threads. I didn't find a solution there. I'm starting to think the issue is somehow related to Adobe.

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Answer 11

dog opus Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 19, 2011 4:52 PM in response to baltwo

Hi, baltwo. I can't figure out where to find the "main" folder. Sorry, I'm pretty ignorant with Applescript. 😟

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Answer 12

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Oct 19, 2011 5:08 PM in response to dog opus

That's just a surrogate for whichever folder has the locked up files. Select it and then run the script.

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Answer 13

dog opus Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 19, 2011 5:37 PM in response to baltwo

Ah, okay. Well, it's happening with any files in Photoshop, irrespective of which folder they're in. I'll give it a try, though. Thanks!

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Answer 14

dog opus Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 19, 2011 6:36 PM in response to baltwo

baltwo, how, exactly, do I select the folder and run the script? Again, I'm sorry about my lack of experience here. I just don't understand what I'm supposed to be doing.

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Answer 15

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Oct 22, 2011 11:41 AM in response to dog opus

Report the Sharing & Privileges information.

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