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User profile for user: twothree89
twothree89 Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Finder crashes anytime I try to transfer files onto external HDD

I recently had to have the HDD cable inside my MBP replaced because it was not working properly. After it was installed I was able to do a clean install of OS X 10.6 and after fully updating to 10.6.8 I installed ML 10.8.2 everything was working perfectly then all of a sudden I am no longer able to transfer files from my desktop onto any external HDD. I thought there might be something wrong with the external HDD but I can copy items off of it onto the desktop with no problem and was even able to place things on it before finder started randomly freezing. The freeze starts off with the spinning beach ball, and everything else seems to be working until i switch to a different application then they all start freezing.


Is there any way to solve this without having to completley do a clean install all over again?

MacBook Pro (15-inch 2.53 GHz), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Jan 16, 2013 7:31 PM

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10 replies
User profile for user: Linc Davis
Linc Davis
User level: Level 10
209,535 points

Jan 16, 2013 10:13 PM in response to twothree89

The next time you have the problem, note the exact times when it starts and ends: hour, minute, second.


If you have more than one user account, these instructions must be carried out as an administrator.


Launch the Console application in any of the following ways:


☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)


☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.


☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Console in the icon grid.


Make sure the title of the Console window is All Messages. If it isn't, select All Messages from the SYSTEM LOG QUERIES menu on the left.


Scroll back in the log to the time you noted above. Select any messages timestamped during that interval. Copy them (command-C) to the Clipboard. Paste (command-V) into a reply to this message.

When posting a log extract, be selective. In most cases, a few dozen lines are more than enough.

Please do not indiscriminately dump thousands of lines from the log into this discussion.


Important: Some private information, such as your name, may appear in the log. Anonymize before posting.

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User profile for user: twothree89
twothree89 Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Jan 18, 2013 1:19 PM in response to Linc Davis

This is the only mac i have on ML, I actually did a clean install from Lion to ML this time. but before I upgraded last night i transfered files back and forth while in Lion and everything was working, then downloaded the ML installer from the Mac app store, updated and when it was done I attempted to transfer files and it froze immediately. this time I did not use the external HDD to transfer the files, I was using a 16GB Sandisk Utra flash drive I bought a few days ago.

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User profile for user: twothree89
twothree89 Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Jan 18, 2013 1:25 PM in response to Linc Davis

I should also add that the internal HDD the OS is being installed in is brand new, and I actually had a problem where my macbook would not connect to it correctly internally so I had to have the HDD cable replace by Apple. Now I am able to install an OS to the HDD but as sonn as I install ML I run into this problem. The previous HDD had ML installed and had no issues with the OS.


Older HDD was the original 250GB Seagate Momentus running at 5400RPM that the laptop shipped with


The new HDD is a standard 750GB Seagate Momentus running at 7200RPM that I purchased from OWC.

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User profile for user: Linc Davis
Linc Davis
User level: Level 10
209,535 points

Jan 18, 2013 2:09 PM in response to twothree89

Please read this whole message before doing anything.

This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
The purpose of the test is to determine whether your problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login.


Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode* and log in to the account with the problem. The instructions provided by Apple are as follows:

  • Shut down your computer, wait 30 seconds, and then hold down the shift key while pressing the power button.
  • When you see the gray Apple logo, release the shift key.
  • If you are prompted to log in, type your password, and then hold down the shift key again as you click Log in.
*Note: If FileVault is enabled under OS X 10.7 or later, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t boot in safe mode.


Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including wireless networking on certain Macs. The next normal boot may also be somewhat slow.
The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.


Test while in safe mode. Same problem?


After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.
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Finder crashes anytime I try to transfer files onto external HDD

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