Problems copying files over to USB

[gadgetgirl85]

I am trying to copy my PhD files to my USB drive and its giving me an error on some of the folders which consist of PDFs and word docs. Can anyone help? I even tried reformatting the stick

 

[MacDawg]

How did you format the drive?

 

[spinnerlys]

What Mac and Mac OS X version do you use?

What Format does the USB stick use?

 

[gadgetgirl85]

Its formatted as a MS-DOS (fat-32)

 

[spinnerlys]

How big are the files, has it worked before, what happened between working and not working?

 

[gadgetgirl85]

The files aren't too big (they are just pdf files). The only difference is I've downloaded some more pdfs (journal articles) and now the entire folder wont copy over. Is my stick formatted right?

 

[MacDawg]

The files aren't too big (they are just pdf files). The only difference is I've downloaded some more pdfs (journal articles) and now the entire folder wont copy over. Is my stick formatted right?

MS-DOS (FAT) is fine for your USB stick
It will allow it to be used by Windows and OSX

Check out the various file systems here: MR Guide: File Systems

The only issue should be the file size limit of 4GB
But if your files are less than that, you shouldn't be having problems

What error message are you getting
It could be a permissions problem

 

[gadgetgirl85]

Hmm none of my file sizes are over 2 meg. This is the message I'm getting
The Finder can’t complete the operation because some data in “study1executivewm” can’t be read or written.
(Error code -36)

 

[pcman2000]

Hmm none of my file sizes are over 2 meg. This is the message I'm getting
The Finder can’t complete the operation because some data in “study1executivewm” can’t be read or written.
(Error code -36)

😵! Thats weird... Ok, check the files are not Read-ONly and make sure the flash drive is writeble (SOme drives have a Lock switch on them) ALSO, make sure you have no programs using the files! Also, REBOOT! and finally, repair premessions in Disk Utility (For Flash drive and Internal HDD (if you dont know how, use Google! 🙂 )

 

[gadgetgirl85]

Ok I tried copying the files over to another USB and still have same problem so I assume its not the USB. Would there be any reason why pdfs wouldn't copy over?

 

[pcman2000]

Ok I tried copying the files over to another USB and still have same problem so I assume its not the USB. Would there be any reason why pdfs wouldn't copy over?

OK, Try to copy it to your Desktop, and see if that works!
If not, then its probably Read-only or another app is using it!
Lastly, Duplicate the file (select and Command-D) and copy the duplicated version to the Flash Drive!