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Level 1

31 points

Show hidden files in Finder

I've been ripping my music CDs into mp3 files using iTunes.

I recently bought an HDTV. It shows the hidden files on the flash drive as well as the visible files. When I try to play one of the hidden mp3 files, the TV tells me that the file isn't supported. Yet if I scroll to the right, the TV shows the visible mp3 files. I had to use Windows XP to show the hidden mp3 files on the flash drive so that I could delete them. After I did that, the TV displayed the visible mp3 files & played them. Today, I tried to search for hidden mp3 files on the flash drive using Finder. When I use the Terminal to show the hidden files, hidden folders are shown, but none of the hidden mp3 files are shown. Yet the hidden mp3 files are shown in Windows XP. The hidden mp3 file starts with ".01_" followed by the file name & ending with the mp3 extension. Each track starts with a different number. In other words, .01_, .02_, .03_, etc. I don't understand why I can see the hidden mp3 files in Windows XP, but not in Finder. The command "defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES" apparently doesn't show ALL of the files. Is it possible to change the Finder so that ALL hidden files are displayed just as I can do in Windows XP? I shouldn't have to go to my PC so that I can see the hidden files & delete them & then go back to my Mac. (Windows XP is the only PC OS that I have. I don't have Vista or 7 or 8.) Or maybe there's a Terminal command that will just rip visible mp3 files in iTunes & not both visible & hidden files. Or maybe there's software that I can install that will do that. If there's no solution, then I will have to use Windows XP to show all of the hidden mp3 files so that I can delete them all at once. I sure would rather use my Mac for everything instead of going back & forth from Mac to PC.

Mac mini (Late 2012), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Apr 7, 2014 2:54 PM

34 replies

macnerd48 Author

Level 1

31 points

Apr 12, 2014 6:24 AM in response to Kurt Lang

After I ran CleanMyDrive, I put the flash drive into my dad's Vista laptop & turned on "show hidden files". The .01_, .02_ etc. files weren't there. Running CleanMyDrive appears to have solved my problem. Thanks to whomever in the forum suggested trying CleanMyDrive. Others have suggested trying other free apps. I'll have to download them & try them out. I'm sorry that I'm asking so many questions, but I'm a Mac newbie. I still don't understand why a hidden Mac file(.01_,etc.) doesn't show up in a Mac after using the Terminal command, but the same file does show up in a Windows machine.

Kurt Lang

Level 9

59,244 points

Apr 12, 2014 6:27 AM in response to macnerd48

The .01_, .02_ etc.

I'm still trying to understand what those were. You had those and also the ._xxx files. And yet your ripped music files still play?

macnerd48 Author

Level 1

31 points

Apr 12, 2014 1:54 PM in response to Kurt Lang

Earlier in this post, someone stated that the ._ files are Apple resource forks. I don't understand it myself. Before the ._ files were deleted from my flash drive, I could see them displayed in my car stereo & my HDTV. If I highlighted one of them & tried to play it, the car stereo would find the visible equivalent & play it. The TV just complained if I tried to play one of the ._ files. Now both the car stereo & the HDTV don't display the Apple resource forks. For example, I like the Swedish group ABBA. When I ripped one of the CDs, iTunes created a ._ file for every mp3 file that it ripped. So, there was a .01_ Mamma Mia.mp3 & a 01 Mamma Mia.mp3. The CleanMyDrive did its job & deleted the ._ files.

Tony T1

Level 6

10,232 points

Apr 12, 2014 3:50 PM in response to macnerd48

macnerd48 wrote:

Earlier in this post, someone stated that the ._ files are Apple resource forks. I don't understand it myself.

GIYF: os x ._ files

--> osx - Why are dot underscore ._ files created, and how can I ...

CleanMyDrive did its job & deleted the ._ files.

ok for a Flash Drive, but don't be tempted to run it on HFS+ formatted drives

Show hidden files in Finder