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help using Finder...

L

lorcar

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 2, 2013
86
0
very beginner here

attached my usual external HD to my brand new RMBP, I can see the files and open them, but if I look for a file (I am sure about the name!) it doesnt find anything...I am sure I checked "search in this MY PASSPORT" instead of THIS MAC

i am sure I am missing something...
thanks in advance

and btw it's NTFS formatted...
 
K

kryten2

macrumors 65816
Mar 17, 2012
1,114
99
Belgium
lorcar said:
very beginner here

attached my usual external HD to my brand new RMBP, I can see the files and open them, but if I look for a file (I am sure about the name!) it doesnt find anything...I am sure I checked "search in this MY PASSPORT" instead of THIS MAC

i am sure I am missing something...
thanks in advance

and btw it's NTFS formatted...
Click to expand...

Finder uses Spotlight metadata to produce results.

Check out the mdutil command in Terminal to turn indexing on or off and print indexing status.

Code: 
Aldebaran:~ test$ mdutil 
Usage: mdutil -pEsa -i (on|off) volume ...
	Utility to manage Spotlight indexes.
	-p		Publish metadata.
	-i (on|off)	Turn indexing on or off.
	-E		Erase and rebuild index.
	-s		Print indexing status.
	-a		Apply command to all volumes.
	-v		Display verbose information.

Aldebaran:~ test$ mdutil -vs /Volumes/LeopardFirewire
/:
	Indexing enabled.
	Scan base time: 2013-05-04 05:56:55 +0200 (35487 seconds ago), reasoning: 'scan not required - avoided catchup scan'

Example :

Code: 
mdutil -s /Volumes/MY\ PASSPORT
mdutil -i on /Volumes/MY\ PASSPORT

You can also check if your external HD is in the privacy tab of Spotlight in System Preferences.
 

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L

lorcar

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 2, 2013
86
0
thanks
i did what u suggested

Last login: Sat May 11 09:36:27 on ttys000
MacBook-Pro-di-Lorenzo:~ lorenzo$ mdutil -s /Volumes/MY\ PASSPORT
/Volumes/My Passport:
Indexing enabled.
MacBook-Pro-di-Lorenzo:~ lorenzo$

but nothing changed...
 
L

lorcar

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 2, 2013
86
0
just to give u an idea
here are two pics
1 where u see folder content and can see a folder name
2 where you see spotlight didnt find it
 

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L

lorcar

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 2, 2013
86
0
might it be related to the NTFS stuff?
as far as i read, you can access but you cant modify files from Mac, unless you have a specific software installed
 
Weaselboy

Weaselboy

Moderator
Staff member
Jan 23, 2005
34,136
15,597
California
lorcar said:
might it be related to the NTFS stuff?
as far as i read, you can access but you cant modify files from Mac, unless you have a specific software installed
Click to expand...

Yes, that is the problem. You can read but not write to an NTFS drive (unless you add NTFS writing software like Paragon). NTFS drives are not indexed by Spotlight regardless.
 
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