Can't copy files from CD/DVD to Desktop

All of a sudden, last night, my Mac stopped copying files that I had backed up onto CDs and DVDs back onto the desktop. If I use applications on the computer, they access the files on the disks just fine, but it won't allow me to simply drag and drop them to the desktop, the finder, or anywhere. When I do, instead of the little green plus sign that says it's okay to do so, I get a white circle with a line through it.

According to the ownership and permissions info, I have permission to read and write the files, and they are unlocked. I am not aware of changing anything, and I did not have any problem dragging and dropping files before yesterday.

Can someone please help?

iMac Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Posted on Apr 19, 2007 5:41 AM

18 replies

Apr 20, 2007 10:52 AM in response to Penelopecat

Take a look at these two discussions of the problem:

http://macosx.com/tech-support/copying-files-from-dvd-to-desktop-in-tiger/10136. html

If that doesn't help, take a look at this:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2217706&#2217706

To try copying using the Terminal:

1. Create a folder you want to copy something to
2. Launch Terminal type:

cp

and a space
3. Navigate to the file you want to copy in the Finder, then drag it into the Terminal and drop it
4. Next drag the destination folder you created into Terminal and drop it, and hit return

The file you selected will be copied into the folder you created. If this works then you have the same problem as in the above two discussions. Maybe you'll be lucky and removing the items listed in the first discussion will fix it.
Francine

Francine
Schwieder

Penelopecat Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 23, 2007 3:20 PM in response to Francine Schwieder

Okay, I went away for a day, and didn't have a chance to do anything since you all posted. Only now it is letting me copy things to the desktop as if nothing had ever happened. So I'm not sure what to do, but my inclination is to just leave it for now. (Because if it seems to be working, how will I be able to tell if any changes I make have any positive effect?)

Any thoughts?

iMac Mac OS X (10.4.9)

a brody

Level 10

85,314 points

Apr 24, 2007 6:08 AM in response to Penelopecat

Now that you have a working system, I strongly recommend you keep a clone of it somewhere. That way you can build from that clone later if it should fail again. My FAQ* here explains how to clone:

http://www.macmaps.com/backup.html

I find Superduper the best cloner.

Keep close tabs of the behavior of the system after any installations, including attaching new hardware.

My FAQ here explains some basic precautions for updates, which really apply to any installations*:

http://www.macmaps.com/upgradefaq.html

* Links to my pages may give me compensation.

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Can't copy files from CD/DVD to Desktop