Why suddenly can I not save my Numbers/Excel files because "Read-only file system"?
on files I've used for years I'm now getting message that it can't be saved..."Read-only file system".
Numbers-OTHER, Mac OS X (10.6.8)
on files I've used for years I'm now getting message that it can't be saved..."Read-only file system".
Numbers-OTHER, Mac OS X (10.6.8)
Hi Mickey,
Your profile shows that you are using Mac OS X 10.6.8
I am using OSX 10.8.4, so my suggestions may not work for you.
Perhaps your files are locked.
Is there a way to Save As... with a new name?
Is there a way to Export?
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Ian.
Thanks Yellowbox: As far as I can tell, whatever has happened, or I've done, has effected all Numbers and Excel files...no other programs. I cannot save or save as...I'm told "Read-only file system". I have googled for suggestions and have seen where others have had similar problems, but so far I have not found anything that works. Also, my files don't appear to be locked and my attempts to export get the same result. I do appreciate your attempt to help though!
Is this happening only with Numbers files, or with any document file (e.g., files saved by a word processor or text editor)?
Have you run Disk Utility's Repair Permissions?
The possibility exists that the volume on which the problem files are located has improper permissions settings for the files.
If you select one of the problem files in the Finder and then select File>Get Info, the bottom of the Get Info window that displays has a disclosure triangle labeled Sharing and Permissions. After clicking the disclosure triangle, a pane will display that shows your Mac's user accounts and the permissions that these accounts have for the selected file. If the permission is "Read Only," then you can change it as explained here.
HTH.
Thanks Barry:
I have both Numbers and Excel applications (and files) and they are the only files this has happened to. No problem with Word (or Pages) or PowerPoint, (or Keynote) or Adobe Illustrator, PhotoShop, etc.
I have done as you instructed with Finder and Get Info, but under permissions (on these files) it says "You can only read."
I got my hopes up when I read your instructions for Disk Utility...I hadn't tried that. Well, I now have and it did no good. :>(
I'm really bumfuzzled cause it doesn't make sense. If it was all programs I would suspect disk...if it was only Numbers or Excel, I would think maybe I should reinstall the program, but that doesn't make sense, since they both have the same problem.
I do thank you for trying to help though!
If the permission is "Read Only," then you can change it as explained here.
Alternatively, can you save the problem files (from Numbers) to a USB pen drive, then copy the saved files from the pen drtive to your Mac and check the permissions?
If the permissions are correct after copying from the pen drive to your Mac, then reinstalling probably will not solve the problem.
HTH.
Thanks again Barry: Your instructions to save the problem files to a USB pen drive...etc...led me to a solution. So, thank you, thank you. I do wish I understood "why" though.
I keep most data files on a USB pen drive...including these "problematic" ones...to free up space on the hard drive. Taking a clue from your instructions, I copyed one of the files onto the desktop and...voila!...it saved without hesitation. So, I believe I'll just need to work on the files on the harddrive from now on rather than the thumb drive. Any idea why it happened? Or, now that we know what was happening (or not happening) is there a way to set the settings to where I can work on the files directly on the thumb drive?
Thanks again for your help!
Excellent, glad that worked!
Not sure.
Have you run Disk Utility's Repair Permissions on the USB pen drive?
You can use the USB pen drive's Get Info window's Sharing and Permissions to check and set permissions on the pen drive, similarly to how you can do so for a selected file (or folder) in the Finder.
You are welcome!
Barry: I ran the Disk Utility on the pen drive and it tells me it needs repairing, but will not let me "repair" it or "repair permissions"...the "repair" links are ghost-printed. Thanks again!
Is your pen drive locked?
Does it have a physical toggle-switch for locking?
You can tell by looking at the pen drive's Get Info window. A lock icon will display in the upper half of the Get Info window.
This article has more info but is not Mac-oriented.
Thanks Barry. Sorry, but I do not see a way to lock pen drive....no toggle-swith and "Get Info" window doesn't show a lock anywhere. Maybe pen drive is totally shot. Probably better take everything off of it, huh? Disappointing. It's a 64Gb and I make it easier on the harddrive. :>( Thanks again.
Maybethis thread will help…
Since I see no lock symbol, this didn't help...except I do know now why I will not see the repair icons.
It told me it needed repair but there's no way to repair it? Does that mean it's dangerous for me to store things on it? Thanks again Barry!
Hi Mickey,
Have a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_flash_drive#Longevity
Perhaps it would be better to edit and save (save, save, save!) your documents on your computer. At the end of a session, make a single write as a backup to your USB pen drive. That will reduce the multiple writes that wear out a pen drive.
Buy another pen drive as a backup of your backups!
Regards,
Ian.
Mickey,
Have you used the pen drive's Get Info window to change its permissions?
Was the USB pen drive formatted for OS X, or for Windows?
Thanks Yellowbox: Makes sense. I didn't realize writing directly to the pendrive would possibly harm it. For now at least, I have no choice but to save on the main drive and then store it on the pendrive.
Barry: The Get Info window only says "You can only read". I bought the pen drive at BestBuy...it's a 64 Gb by PNY and I assume it was formatted for OS X, but don't really remember for sure. Is there a way to find out?
Why suddenly can I not save my Numbers/Excel files because "Read-only file system"?