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erikmichael

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 12, 2009
4
0
The problem:

I've had this very, very strange issue occurring over the past few days now where recently created files go missing or updated files revert back to earlier versions. It happens when I disconnect from my Time Machine external LaCie drive after backup. Even apps went missing and I had to reinstall them. It's like my machine is automatically reverted to two days earlier when I disconnect the external drive.

When it started:

The first time I experienced the problem was *after* I added my Macintosh HD (internal) drive as an exclusion to the Spotlight list of excluded drives/folders. I did this because my Mail app would not allow me to select "Entire Message" when searching mail folders. A popular thread told me that if I added and then removed my (internal) hard drive to/from Spotlight, that it would re-index it, thereby finding the mail files again allowing me to search the message bodies.

That's when the files and apps disappeared and/or reverted to previous versions. Again, the files reappear after I plug into the external Time Machine (LaCie) drive. But when I disconnect - they're gone! Other preferences have disappeared too - I've been prompted to re-enter serial #s I entered days prior for new software I added.

Machine: New MacBook Pro
OS X: Version 10.5.6
External Drive: LaCie 1TB
 
Update

I solved this issue. It appears to be a preferences issue. I used Disk Utility to verify and then rebuild my preferences which appears to have resolved the problem.
 
I solved this issue. It appears to be a preferences issue. I used Disk Utility to verify and then rebuild my preferences which appears to have resolved the problem.

Just to double check, did you actually mean "repair your permissions" rather than "rebuild your preferences"? If so, you might want to edit your post to reflect that so as to avoid confusion for new Mac users reading your post.;)
 
Correction

Thanks sickmacdoc - you're correct. I repaired my permissions - not preferences.
 
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