Can't move selected files from MacAir Yosemite to external drive

Question

Level 1

6 points

Can't move selected files from MacAir Yosemite to external drive

I am trying to move files off my 2011 MacAir Yosemite to a USB drive.

When I perform a bulk move (or copy) a few files move and then it hits a file that says it can not read / write because there is some error with the file (Error -36) and the process stops.

If I remove that file and start over, the transfer starts again but then it hits another file and the process aborts.

Some files move but some are problematic and abort the process.

Not related to file size (all files under 20 MB)

Not related to file type (PPT, JPEG, PDF are offenders)

If I try to move the offending file individually, I get the same error.

The offending files open on the mac with no problem

I can move the offending files to other locations on my mac, just not to the external drive.

If I move them to a different folder and try to transfer to the external drive, I still get the same error.

The external USB drive was formatted to FAT32 but I reformatted to AFS

I tried using the USB and also an external HDD device- same issue, so not dependent on the external device either

I have read write permissions on the destination USB drive and all of the files (including the offending files)

I also checked the mac drive with disk utility and did not encounter any errors.

If it was just one file, it would not be a problem, but it is seemingly a random assortment of many

If the process would continue and ignore the offending files, it would not be as annoying

(Is there a way to set the copy / move so that it ignores the files it finds in error?)

I have read through many threads and not found a problem (or solution) quite like this

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Earlier Mac models

Posted on Oct 6, 2024 7:36 PM

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Answer 1

BDAqua

Level 10

244,979 points

Oct 7, 2024 10:11 AM in response to MAW0811

Well, in pure Apple File System talk... -36 ioErr I/O error (bummers)

Not very helpful, but generally means a Drive quit being Readable or Writable since starting the operation..

And that is generally a bad cable or more comon a Gus powered drive drawing too many mA look in System Report...

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Answer 2

Old Toad

Level 10

210,301 points

Oct 7, 2024 10:16 AM in response to MAW0811

The -36 error could also mean that a file is damaged and is blocking the completion of the copy. Do fewer files at a time and when you get the error you can try copying the first ½ of that batch and if it goes thru try the next half. If it fails then repeat the ½ method.

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Answer 3

MAW0811 Author

Level 1

6 points

Oct 7, 2024 10:24 AM in response to Old Toad

Thanks for the quick reply.

This is why it is vexing -

1) If it were a hardware / drive/ power issue, I don't think it would be a problem with a specific file(s).

2) If it were a file corruption issue, I wouldn't think I would be able to open the file or move it around in the Mac drive.

I could go file by file and just ignore the files that won't transfer, but I have some 1700 files to move and I'm not that young.

Even in 'small batch' mode, I could transfer files 1-30, file 31 will fail and stop the process.

I could remove file 31 and start again with file 32, but then it fails at file 70, etc.

That's why I would like to execute the bulk copy / move and just ignore the failed files without stopping the whole process.

Yes "Error -36" is ridiculous.

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Answer 4

Old Toad

Level 10

210,301 points

Oct 7, 2024 10:36 AM in response to MAW0811

Do you have "Ignore ownership" set for the EHD? If not do so and try again.

Another method would be to use the free version of Carbon Copy Cloner to clone those files into a folder on the external drive. If they are already in a folder the clone the folder to the new folder.

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