The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -50).

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Level 1

6 points

The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -50).

I am getting this error "The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -50)." when I try to transfer files from my Mac Mini to my External Harddrive which is connected to my Airport Extreme. " The error does not appear to happen all the time. It does seem consistent if I am transfering files and then try to transfer more.

The files I am trnasferring are .mp4. It does not appear to care about the size of the file, it happens with small files and large files, I can transfer some large folders (2.54G).

I can connect the harddrive externally directly to the mac mini and it will transfer any file.

Posted on Apr 21, 2012 8:44 PM

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Answer 1

Limnos

Level 10

411,139 points

Apr 21, 2012 8:49 PM in response to Paul Mannon

http://forums.macosxhints.com/archive/index.php/t-31161.html

Error code -50 is a generic code meaning there's some sort of communication difficulty.

I suspect this has to do with just trying to pass too much along to the AE at one time. You've got one set of files going and when you try to pass along the second set the first set is interferring with the commands being sent by the second set and the operating system is detecting this as a communications error. Connecting directly is much faster than wireless and it can handle the traffic.

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Answer 2

Paul Mannon Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 21, 2012 11:03 PM in response to Limnos

Thanks for your reply. I agree about the communication issue. Let me explain my setup and what I am trying to do and perhaps you can answer my questions or make suggestions.

I have a MAC Mini with a Sony TV for the video monitor. The Mac Mini is hard wired to the AE (Airport Extreme). The AE has a 2 TB HD hooked up to the USB Port. I have a 17" Mac Book Pro on the WIFI Network.

I am trying to use the MAc Mini as a "Media Server" of sorts. Once I get iTunes running the way I plan I am goign to hook up my Apple TV (2nd Generation) to my television downstairs.

What I am trying to accomplish is have iTunes on all my computers look to the External HD on the AE for the files. This is why I am having my (-50 errors).

So far I have noticed that if I go and try to download from iTunes purchased videos that are not ont he computer (to the external HD) it will also occassionaly give me teh -50 error.

Is there a way to change where the files go when I download them? Say I want to download videos to the computer but not to the external HD? However I would want to still be able to move them to the External HD.

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Answer 3

BDAqua

Level 10

239,033 points

Apr 21, 2012 11:13 PM in response to Paul Mannon

Paul, see if this helps...

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1449

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Answer 4

Jan 29, 2013 4:31 AM in response to Paul Mannon

Hi... I had the same error (not sure if this is related to your issue) and the problem was with the file names - any file names with * or / in them would give this error. Changing the file name worked for me.

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Answer 5

dlsparr

Level 1

0 points

Jan 29, 2014 12:48 PM in response to Paul Mannon

I know this is an old thread, but I just purchased two new external drives (Firewire 800) for my Mac G5 running OSX 10.7.5. After copying one batch of files successfully I got the dreaded "operation can't be completed (Error Code - 50)" message. Looking here for answers, I wasn't getting much help. The error code occurred whether I was copying big files or small, and the names had no unusual characters.

Finally I tried the old standby - I rebooted my Mac. And everything worked after that. Still don't know what caused those error codes, but when all else fail, reboot.

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Answer 6

Apr 21, 2014 8:13 PM in response to Paul Mannon

If your hard drive is formatted to FAT32 (format which is compatalbe with both Mac and PC), then you will be unable to copy files over about 4 or 5GB. You can use Disk Utility to erase and reformat it to Mac OS Extended, then it will be able to copy larger files, but will not be compatable with PC.

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