Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Level 1

19 points

can't be opened because the original item can't be found

Hi,

I am using a late 2012 iMac with El Capitan version 10.11.4.

I also have a older model Time Capsule in my network, and a Synology NAS. Both of them show up under Shared in Finder.

After not using my iMac for a short while, let's say 15 minutes or so, I cannot see the contents of my Shared devices and the following error pops up:

"disk name" can't be opened because the original item can't be found

Time Machine still seems to work and I can open excel files from my NAS directly from Excel.

It's only Finder that has a problem with the shared devices.

Workarounds so far are:

-relaunch Finder

-reboot Time Capsule

I have never seen this problem before until recently. My network hasn't changed. I'm using wired gigabit ethernet.

The problem is also described here:

http://www.cnet.com/news/fix-shared-computer-not-found-in-finder/

I don't think it has anything to do with Synology, since the Time Capsule has the exact same problem.

Any solutions or ideas?

Thanks

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.4)

Posted on Apr 24, 2016 1:51 PM

Best reply

soupytwist

Level 1

4 points

Posted on Jan 6, 2018 2:49 AM

I had this "...original item can't be found" problem on High Sierra, but only with FAT32 volumes on an SD card or USB drive. The strange thing was that Disk Utility could see the volumes correctly, and via Terminal I could read and write to the volumes too. So it looked like it was just Finder that was unhappy with FAT32. I had to call Apple Support to finally sort this out: All I had to do was to reset the SMC (System Management Controller) using the process at

How to reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support

There seem to be no nasty side effects from having done this, and now I can read and write FAT32 absolutely fine. My machine is a brand new 13" MacBook Pro with Touchbar, so I don't know if this fix will apply to other hardware.

I realise that the well known issue with files larger than 2.2GB on FAT32 still exists under High Sierra, but that doesn't worry me personally for now. I also realise that ExFAT will solve this problem, but my sole need to read FAT32 is because my SD cards are from a portable audio recorder that will only work with FAT32. The bottom line is: High Sierra does love FAT32 after all.

View in context

39 replies

macgebruiker Author

Level 1

19 points

Apr 25, 2016 11:50 AM in response to macgebruiker

I found out that this problem only exists on the iMac when it is on ethernet cable. When I turn off ethernet and turn on WiFi, the problem doesn't seem to occur.

Apr 26, 2016 7:33 AM in response to macgebruiker

Hey mate,

Same problem here. Interestingly, the following is also true for me:

Synology (DS13xx+)
Works after force quitting Finder.

I don't use Time Machine but I do use wired gigabit ethernet. Additionally, I use it through a CalDigit Thunderbolt dock. I particularly notice it when I go between docked and undocked scenarios.

It's happened for ages for me and I've searched often - this is the first time I've found anything meaningful. Let's hope we get somewhere!

Cheers!

macgebruiker Author

Level 1

19 points

Apr 26, 2016 8:00 AM in response to philgeorge

Hi there

you've had this problem before El Capitan?

for me it started just a few days ago after my fusion drive had been replaced and came back pre installed with the very latest Mac os.

I was wrong about the wifi. The problem is on both wired and wifi connections.

It is a very annoying problem and unfortunately my Apple care has expired.

I highly doubt it has anything to do with Synology.

Lets hope for a quick solution

regards

macgebruiker Author

Level 1

19 points

Apr 27, 2016 11:14 AM in response to philgeorge

Hi,

Are you using an iMac? Are you using bluetooth keyboard, mouse and trackpad? It may seem far fetched, but it might have something to do with bluetooth.

erik-010

Level 1

4 points

Aug 23, 2016 3:33 PM in response to macgebruiker

Hi, I got same problem. I use Egnyte and was mounted no issues, network went away and came back and I moved from one WIFI spot to the next. Now it stopped working, relaunch Finder does not work either.

I will now try and reboot, see if it goes away. See you on the other side... :-)

Cheers, Erik

erik-010

Level 1

4 points

Aug 23, 2016 3:39 PM in response to philgeorge

OK I am back. Reboot did not help.

When rebooted, Egnyte said can't mount, check proxy settings. And there it was, for other purpose I had configured a Web Proxy and removed it. Then I renewed the DHCP lease, gave me new IP address and I was able to mount the drive again.

So: check proxy settings, this may be the cause of it.

fabio166

Level 1

4 points

Nov 14, 2016 2:24 AM in response to erik-010

Same problem here, also with Sierra.

verzunof

Level 1

18 points

Nov 17, 2016 8:36 AM in response to macgebruiker

I have this problem also using 2011 iMac.

For me it started after changing OS from Yosemite to El Capitan.

On Yosemite there was no problem like this.

Not only dynamic systems like laptop that come and go are not recognized, but also "permanent" ones like NAS.

My solution Is to do Command-K -> Browse and then select required Network object.

This is very annoying.

It seems that Shared Pane of the Finder does not either accept System's announcements or periodically asks network for shared systems. Is there any config file or setting deep in the system that would change this behavior to the level at which it was with Yosemite.

My current version is 10.11.6 if there is a version of El Capitan that does not have this issue, is possible to switch to it.

Thanks

Dec 12, 2016 7:37 PM in response to macgebruiker

I have the same problem. At the moment I have a Macbook Air 2011 right beside an iMac 2011. Both are running OSX El Capitan, both are connected wirelessly. The Macbook Air can see the time capsule without issue, and the iMac reports

"XXX Time Capsule" can't be opened because the original item can't be found.

While rebooting will solve it temporarily, something is definitely wrong. Bizarre.

gardnerr

Level 1

4 points

Mar 1, 2017 1:26 AM in response to coldcommuter

Very curious. I'm also seeing this on a 2011 iMac running Sierra, and not on my Mini or MacBook air. There is no wired ethernet in use, and restarting finder also seems to solve it for me.