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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Problem copying files to USB flash drive

azx - Jan 8, 2008 - 4:48 pm

I am having problems copying files from my iMac computer to USB flash drives. Sometimes, I get the error message: "Sorry the operation could not be completed because an unexpected error occurred (Error Code -50)."

This error message does not happen everytime but rather occasionally. Most of the files I am trying to copy to my USB flash drives are MS Word documents. I have tried using various brands of flash drive, but I still get this error message.

I use my USB flash drives for both Mac and Windows OS computers. I don't know if this is a cause of the problem.

tubajensen - Jan 9, 2008 - 6:13 am

How are the USB flash drives formated? For Windows or for Mac (HFS+)?

Allan

azx - Jan 9, 2008 - 12:36 pm

How do I determine the format for the flash drives?

For my 2GB Kingston Data Traveller flash drive, I checked its product datasheet on the Kingston website, and it says that it is compatible with both Macintosh and Windows OS, and that I can use it for cross-platform PC/Mac file transfers.

I also checked the Properties tab for this flash drive, and the File System for the drive is listed as "FAT."

tubajensen - Jan 9, 2008 - 3:55 pm

tubajensen - Jan 9, 2008 - 4:03 pm

Your drive is formated for Windows (FAT). Try and look at this page:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25532

especially the the section titled Solution.
Hope this solves your problem. Otherwise get back to me and I will re-open your question for other techs to look at.

Allan

azx - Jan 12, 2008 - 2:25 am

I looked at the link provided, and it said that I need to reformat my USB drive as Mac OS Extended (HFS Plus).

Is this the only solution I have?

If I format it as a Mac OS drive, can I still use the flash drive with Windows PCs?

tubajensen - Jan 12, 2008 - 4:24 am

If you format your drive as hfs+ I'm pretty sure your PC won't be able to access it. You could try this on a drive, but don't forget to backup your data since formating the drive will erase all the data.

Another solution could be to not use the characters mentioned in the above mentioned link.

A third possibility would be to try and get software for your PC so you can mount hfs+ formatted drives

http://www.mediafour.com/products/macdrive/

Please get back to me for any further questions

Allan