I get "cannot create file" eror message when trying to download files

Question

I get "cannot create file" eror message when trying to download files

I am having the exact same problem as this person and have done all the things suggested there.

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2725751&#2725751

None of them work for me. Also when I try to change permissions I get an error message that says "Sorry, the operation could not be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code 5)." This happened after I let my hard drive get too full a week or two ago.

Thanks in advance for any help

1.83ghz macbook (mine) ibook 1.2ghz (wife) mac mini 1.42 (mp3 iphoto server) Mac OS X (10.4.8) This is happening on my G4 mini

Posted on Oct 31, 2006 12:57 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Eme

Level 5

5,636 points

Oct 31, 2006 8:42 PM in response to julian vandercook

HI Julian,

Which of the many replies did you try?

Have you run disk pemissions repair with the Disk Utility?

Try this: Check the permissions on the desktop,
clicking on the desktop itself go to the "File" menu "Get Info"
Make sure that you have Read & Write in the "Ownership & Permissions" portion of the get info window, however if in the General portion of the "Get Info" window if the "Locked" checkbox is checked it will also prevent you from creating new files in the folder, if it is checked, uncheck it.

Try downloading a file, any better?

If not....are you able to download files in a test account?

Try Safari in a other user or "Test" account, to create one:
Under the Blue Apple go > System Preferences /Accounts/ Login Options use the [+] to create one, for ease you could enter test in all the fields.

A test account helps us determine if this is a system wide issue or isolated to your user name account.

Let us know.

Eme;-[)

Helpful.. Solved..... Awarding points to your helpers

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Answer 2

Nov 17, 2006 1:36 AM in response to Eme

My install just kept getting worse so I ended up reinstalling the system. This has taken care of any problems. Thanks for the help.

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Answer 3

Eme

Level 5

5,636 points

Nov 23, 2006 6:49 PM in response to julian vandercook

Thanks for letting us know, Julian, good luck with your Mac.
Thank you for the helpful vote.

This maybe a helpful site for you and any subsequent updates.

Eme'~[)

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Answer 4

Retroper

Level 1

0 points

Feb 20, 2007 1:58 AM in response to julian vandercook

I did have the same error after migrating from my old iBook to a new one. Since I had the same account name on both computers, I had to copy the account from the old Mac to a new account on my new Mac.

So when starting Safari (and Firefox) on my new Mac and the new account name, I was not able to save files to the desktop. I noticed that by default both Safari and Firefox tried to download to the desktop to the first account I created on the new Mac, which had the same account name as I had on the old Mac.

I just changed the download folder to the actual account I now was using, and the problem was solved.

I guess the problem appears when you try to transfer an account with name X to a new Mac where the account name X already exists - and you have to copy it to name Y instead. When running Safari from account name Y on the new Mac, the download folder pointed to the desktop to account X - which you have no access to.

MacBook Pro 15" Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Mac OS X (10.4.8)

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