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DavidMac
Level 2 (407 points)
Desktops

Q: ... because an item with the name ".DS_Store" already exists.

When attempting to offload a folder file from a burned disc (my iTunes song backup files), I often get the following text box warning window stating:

The operation cannot be completed because an item with the name ".DS_Store" already exists.

How can this be avoided or repaired so I don't get this "DS_Store" garbage everytime I unload a folder from a CD or DVD, to my desktop?

800 mhz eMac/Superdrive   Mac OS X (10.2.x)   LaCie External Hard Drive, 1 GB RAM

Posted on Aug 21, 2006 10:00 AM

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DavidMac

Q: ... because an item with the name ".DS_Store" already exists.

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  • by Chopsuey,

    Chopsuey Chopsuey Aug 21, 2006 11:53 PM in response to DavidMac
    Level 4 (1,945 points)
    Aug 21, 2006 11:53 PM in response to DavidMac
    Hi there,

    The .DS_Store file is present in the Desktop
    folder and probably is present also on the CD
    that you burnt as well as many other folders.

    I'm not sure what it does - perhaps some sort
    of cache. It's normally invisible.

    Perhaps it's the way you're copying the files
    off the disc. Do you do a 'select all'? Maybe
    copy the files to a folder on the desktop or
    drag the entire folder out.

    - Chops

  • by AxL,

    AxL AxL Aug 22, 2006 4:19 AM in response to DavidMac
    Level 6 (11,435 points)
    Aug 22, 2006 4:19 AM in response to DavidMac
    1300/3746

    Hi DavidMac,

    Yes, ".DS_Store" invisible files are here to store such system info as position in the window etc.
    When creating CDs or DVDs, it is a good idea to remove them, also because when using the discs on a Windows machine, causes Windows to create an additional file that gets in the way.

    Personally I like TinkerTool System very much.
    You could give a try also at DS_Store Cleaner.

    Chops has a point though. I don't really understand why from a Mac OS -created disc you couldn't just copy back onto another Mac OS destination?

    HTH
    Axl