User profile for user: dwctv
dwctv Author
User level: Level 1
14 points

Can open hdd anymore

Hi,

I used my external 4 TB hdd (connected to USB 3.0 to copy data via CCC to an other external hdd.

Somewhere in the middle it stopped.

When I try to open the 4Tb (by clicking on it) the finder crashes - every time.

I put the 4Tb hdd inside my MP but the same thing happens. The finder keeps on crashing, all desktop icons go away and that crash notice window: The last time you open Finder it unexpectedly quit..............................................

and it keeps on coming up.

I can access the hdd via CCC and copy the data out to other disks. But there are 3.92 Tb of data and I have to find space first.

In the PC world booting I would say the Master Boot Record is damaged. But I don't know what it is on a hdd in Mac Format.

Mac Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.5), Black Magic Extreme HD, GB RAM, 4 TB HDD

Posted on Mar 14, 2016 8:14 PM

Reply
11 replies
User profile for user: Eric Root
Eric Root
User level: Level 10
685,293 points

Mar 15, 2016 7:59 AM in response to dwctv

Might be a corrupt .plist.


Do a backup, preferably 2 backups on 2 separate drives.


Go to Finder and select your user/home folder. With that Finder window as the front window, either select Finder/View/Show View options or go command - J. When the View options opens, check ’Show Library Folder’. That should make your user library folder visible in your user/home folder. Select Library. Then go to Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist. Move the .plist to your desktop.


Re-launch Finder by restarting the computer and test. If it works okay, delete the plist from the desktop.


If the same, return the .plist to where you got it from, overwriting the newer one.


Thanks to leonie for some information contained in this.

Reply
User profile for user: dwctv
dwctv Author
User level: Level 1
14 points

Mar 15, 2016 8:06 AM in response to Eric Root

good suggestion..but.......make 2 backups..? where to? That disk has 3.92 Tb of data loaded. I was able to back up 2.7 Tb, took the whole day.

But I will see to scrap together some more disk space.... at least to have 1 backup.

Then I will try your suggestion.

Thank you!


a question: I am using CCC now for the backup.

What I dont like is, that I can not see how big the files are so it is very hard to find space.

Which free software would show diskspace like in the finder? When I backed up the 2.7 Tb folder, I had no idea, that it is so big.

Reply
User profile for user: dwctv
dwctv Author
User level: Level 1
14 points

Mar 17, 2016 6:44 AM in response to Eric Root

Hi,

meanwhile I followed your advice, but unfortunately, moving the com.apple.finder to the desktop and reboot did not do any changes.

In the preferences I also found a file: com.apple.finder.plist.AEVz5iB

which I also removed.

I put the old plist back as you told me.

I connected my 4Tb hdd to my MBP which has the same system. The same thing happen: the finder crash and all icons were gone.

So the trouble must be within the hdd itself.

I have not found enough space yet to save the other folders, so I wonder, would I have an other option before I reformat the disk?

Reply

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Can open hdd anymore

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up