cannot create folder or copy files to external hard drive

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Level 1

11 points

cannot create folder or copy files to external hard drive

I have a 2TB SSD connected to my Mac Mini M1 via USB port. I was able to copy files to the drive before but now it seems that when I copy a file to it or create a folder on it...about 10 seconds later it just disappears. I'm using Big Sur 11.2.3. Why is this happening now ? Is it iCloud Drive ? I've try to deactivate that...same thing. The SSD has 1.62 TB available of space (so it's not a space issue). Help ! This is serious and I need to get work done.

Posted on Apr 21, 2021 10:50 PM

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Answer 1

DiZoE

Level 4

3,033 points

Apr 21, 2021 11:52 PM in response to combatfisher

Hey Combatfisher! (Like the name!).

Can you first show the formatting of the internal and external drives?

Open Disk Utility from Finder/Applications/Utilities/Disk Utility.

Next, selection the top menu, select:

View > Show All Devices.

The information there when both selecting the main hard drives, and the indented partitions just below them may help.

Likewise, does this happen when copying a file from any location? Also did this start happening after any event, (Such as an update, or program installation)?

Cheers.

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Answer 2

combatfisher Author

Level 1

11 points

Apr 22, 2021 9:57 AM in response to combatfisher

oh snap. I just did another test...I think it's iCloud drive that is causing this problem. I removed iCloud drive, rebooted my computer...copied files to my USB external and wah-la...it seems to be working.

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Answer 3

DiZoE

Level 4

3,033 points

Apr 22, 2021 1:33 AM in response to combatfisher

You’re in good company! When you can, knowing the formats will help, you can also click each in the Finder sidebar and press “Command i” to get the info on it, cheers.

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Answer 4

combatfisher Author

Level 1

11 points

Apr 22, 2021 12:53 AM in response to DiZoE

Apple SSD (internal 500 GB) - APFS

External drive (2TB) - APFS

If I go to the external file system, if I create a folder in the external drive...it will disappear like 10-15 seconds later

If I save a file there...same thing.

Not sure what is causing this, I copied a lot of files there before without issue.

(Combatfisher = I love fly fishing and will fish under any conditions :)

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Answer 5

combatfisher Author

Level 1

11 points

Apr 22, 2021 9:54 AM in response to DiZoE

So I just noticed something else...if I copy a file into the folders that already exist, they seem to work fine (and don't disappear).

So now I'm a bit baffled why new folders or files created in the USB drive would automatically disappear

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Answer 6

DiZoE

Level 4

3,033 points

Apr 22, 2021 2:15 PM in response to combatfisher

Oh cool, must have been an issue moving files from iCloud Drive then, (If Desktop and Documents were turned on), good to know, glad you figured it out, wondering now if it will still work if turning it back on.

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cannot create folder or copy files to external hard drive

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