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Recurring Finder Problems; & Folders That Appear Empty But Aren't

After crashing and obtaining a new computer (and then learning that my crashes likely related to a Seagate backup drive), I’ve done mishmash restores from assorted backups (made when I was trying to save stuff in fear that I'd permanenty lose this stuff if I didn't) and a couple of external drives. Very bad idea. Next I tried to delete duplicates from my new and old computer, and from the external drives' backups (or clones or whatever) that had been moved and transferred to my new computer. Another very bad idea. (For the duplicates, I used Araxis Find Duplicate File.)

Now, my finder continues to be unresponsive. I also have several folders that in finder windows appear empty, but actually turn out to have lots of files within.

I’ve used internet recovery disk utility and terminal on the recovery partition to reset password (both by entering a password and not, by just simply clicking ‘reset’), permissions, and ACLs. I’ve reinstalled Mountain Lion. I’ve also tried various terminal commands I saw on Apple Discussions relating to finder problems.

Help. Please. Thank you!

Mac mini, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on May 3, 2013 11:18 AM

Best reply

Eric Root

Level 10

684,045 points

Posted on May 3, 2013 1:14 PM

Try booting into the Safe Mode. Shut down the computer and then power it back up. Immediately after hearing the startup chime, hold down the shift key and continue to hold it until the gray Apple icon and a progress bar appear. The boot up is significantly slower than normal. This will reset some caches, forces a directory check, and disables all startup and login items, among other things. If the system operates normally, there may be 3rd party applications which are causing a problem. Try deleting/disabling the third party applications after a restart. For each disable/delete, you will need to restart if you don't do them all at once.

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21 replies

May 6, 2013 10:37 AM in response to Linc Davis

A-okay. Just did a quick glance at what you wrote. For starts, I had no idea FileVault was enabled & don't know how or when I did that. (I've never had any desire for it, let alone a need or use for it.)

I so appreciate the customized advice & will try to do what you said by following your directions carefully & thoroughly.

Thanks again, so very much.

— Susan

PS Awhile back, I read a lot about the differences between Time Machine and Carbon Copy Cloner (and also read Pondini's brilliant stuff on Time Machine) but right now I don't remember the exact distinctions. Is there any way to explain the difference in short, simple terms, and why you suggest backups with both? (Of course I know backups are essential for everything one doesn't want to lose. However, it feels like I've spent the last few months with computers just 'troubleshooting,' as opposed to doing anything substantive.) Do you have preferred backup drives? I now have a Rikiki LaCie. [Not really related but I'm still miffed that according to my local Apple place (true or not), it was my Seagate backup drive that got me into trouble in the first place.]

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

May 6, 2013 10:52 AM in response to Susan Swartz1

Both Time Machine and Carbon Copy Cloner make periodic backups, but the former is closely integrated with the operating system and can do it more efficiently, so that hourly backups are feasible. With other backup tools, it's usually not practical to back up more than once a day.

Seagate external drives are well known for causing problems with Time Machine. Apart from avoiding those, I don't have a recommendation.

May 6, 2013 4:39 PM in response to Linc Davis

Now I'm even more confused. I went into FileVault in System Preferences, & it showed as turned off. Is there some other place it exists, with another way to deactivate it?

I really appreciate your ongoing patience & assistance. Please hang in there with me…

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

May 6, 2013 5:10 PM in response to Susan Swartz1

I think this thread may have run its course and it's time to start a new one. I took your work for it that you were using FileVault. If it's not active in the preference pane, you're not using it. Good luck.

May 6, 2013 5:29 PM in response to Linc Davis

Agreed. Thx again.

May 7, 2013 12:00 PM in response to Linc Davis

Sorry to bother, but just wanted to update. Looked at the terminal output & trashed some that were easily trashable. Computer's now working, but will do a lot of what you said & might yet start over. Among the biggest lessons was to avoid willy-nilly downloading stupid apps. Couldn't have gotten where I did w/o your help, so thanks again.

Recurring Finder Problems; & Folders That Appear Empty But Aren't