Level 1

7 points

An unexpected error occurred (error code -50) when saving to ext HD.

I have an external USB Raid configured 2x3T config for a total of 3T of storage. It was working fine and now when I try to save to the hard drive I get: The operation can’t be completed. An unexpected error occurred (error code -50). Any suggestions? I have reset the PRAM, ran disk utility, restarted the computer, restarted the hard drive etc with no luck. Any suggestions would be appreciated because I cannot find any help on the internet.

iMac (27-inch Mid 2011), Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Oct 8, 2012 7:35 PM

Top-ranking reply

whaletail935

Level 1

10 points

Posted on Oct 26, 2012 9:49 PM

I had this problem as well, and the only solution I've discovered is simple, but annoying. In System Preferences - Energy Saver, I had to enable OS X to put Hard Drives to sleep when possible (Checked the box).

The problem stemmed from my external drive spinning itself down after 5 minutes idle. Without allowing OS X to put my internal drive to sleep when possible, OS X was not playing well with my asleep external drive (as it doesn't expect drives to be asleep, I guess). Once asleep, my external drive became Read Only, as I could open files etc., but not copy, move, or delete files (No Writes). I couldn't even unmount the volume without "unplugging" the USB cable, triggering an error message.

With the Hard Drive asleep option enabled, OS X now plays well with my external drive. I wish I could disable that drive from sleeping, but obviously cannot (without "manually" preventing sleep through continued use, I guess).

As I run 10.8.2 on a 2.7Ghz/16Gb/768Gb Retina MBP, the performance hit due to enabling the HD sleep option is likely minimal (though I haven't actually investigated the issue), but still....

I guess if it becomes noticeable, I'll go back to pulling the cord on my external drive, but I don't want to damage it.

Hope this works for those with a similar problem.

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29 replies

mjbamigo

Level 1

0 points

Aug 27, 2015 9:10 AM in response to bomber136

I get the same error code when trying to copy FCPX libraries out to an HP LTO-6 drive using LTFS, "The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -50)." OS-X 10.10.5 Super frustrating!

nathan_h

Level 1

39 points

Dec 5, 2015 4:24 PM in response to bomber136

What is amazing is that this error has been showing up in OS X for more than three years and is still not solved.

I don't disbelieve the various solutions shared here, but the fact that some solutions don't work for some people and some people try them all and none work indicates that at the very least, this is a VERY POOR error code. Improving the error code would be very useful to help people really get to the source of the problem.

May 10, 2016 11:33 PM in response to nathan_h

Seagate 2TB problems on a Mac iso 10.8.5

I have another Seagate 4TB thats fine. I swapped the leads over and its made no difference.

Ive swapped the ports over still no difference.

Trying to put files onto it gets this error

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

Trying to eject gets this error

The disk “Downing” wasn’t ejected because one or more programs may be using it.

Trying to delete gets this error

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

In disc utility, trying to erase gets this error

Volume Erase failed with the error:

Couldn’t unmount disk.

*** heeelllllllp

Jul 13, 2016 7:28 AM in response to bomber136

disclaimer: i won't use any techy words.

i had a similar problem... used my external hard drive at home & at school before, never had a problem.

i try & copy a catalog from lightroom & it freeaked out. wouldn't even let me delete the copied lightroom catalogs or even open lightroom from the computer.

simple fix: i tried turning it off & then back on. wow. that actually works!

ejected the hard drive. plugged it back in. deleted the catalog that was previously copied to it (which made it freak out). re-added the catalogs & then poof! it worked.

Jul 30, 2016 2:56 PM in response to bomber136

I also have this same problem, However my energy saver has always had the "Put hard disks to sleep when possible" checked, and the computer sleep is enabled. I am using a Drobo with four drives totaling 16 terabytes attached on a usb3. It makes me nervous that other folks have had this problem but only in 2012, no here I am in 2016.

Help

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

Oct 11, 2012 12:37 PM in response to bomber136

Hmmm, what brand/model enclosures & drives?

bomber136 Author

Level 1

7 points

Oct 11, 2012 5:52 PM in response to bomber136

It is a Cavalry enclosure and 2 Seagate barracuda 3000GB hard drives.

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

Oct 11, 2012 6:42 PM in response to bomber136

Are those "Green" drives?

bomber136 Author

Level 1

7 points

Oct 11, 2012 6:51 PM in response to BDAqua

Not Green. 7200 RPM normal drives.

gverdeg

Level 1

0 points

Oct 21, 2015 11:14 AM in response to mjbamigo

Same problem on a 32 GB SD card, none of the solutions worked form me 😠.

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

May 20, 2016 2:51 AM in response to stevefromaldershot

Open Activity Monitor, Show:>All Processes, see of fsck is running.

May 20, 2016 2:58 PM in response to BDAqua

I looked in A monitor and its not there

Oct 22, 2016 11:39 AM in response to vannfromenglewood

I have been having the same problem too in 2016. It doesn't give me much hope that I will find a solution after searching the internet and the communities postings :-/.

b888ke

Level 1

4 points

Nov 7, 2016 3:27 AM in response to bomber136

I have an error:-50 when rendering a movie from imovie10 😟 tried writing to another disk, but got the same error. Sometimes she renders 12 minuted, in other cases 46 or 30 minutes..

anybody an idea?

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An unexpected error occurred (error code -50) when saving to ext HD.