Question

Files disappeared after copying from Leopard to XP

Asked by: bbao

hi folks

i got a VERY strange issue when i tried copying files from an iMac running Mac OS X 10.5.8 to a laptop running XP Tablet 2005 with SP3 (5.1.2600) over a cross-over connection.

the symptom was: when Leopard was copying files (showing a Copy window with a progress bar), all files seemed to be copied as their filenames appeared in the target folder shared on the XP. but when Leopard finished copying the last file, all files just instantly disappeared in the target folder as soon as i heard the finishing sound. i believe the files were deleted as i couldn't see them on XP either, and no extra space occupied for those files.

the 2nd strange symptom was: i could not see the content of the shared XP folder from the MAC side. of course the folder does contain other files and sub-folders, and i could see them from the XP side.

the 3rd strange issue was: all the files in sub-folder could be survived. eventually i used this way (put all files into a sub-folder, and copy the folder to the shared XP) to finish the job.

additionally, i could keep most of the copied files by moving them to other folder before Leopard finishing the last file. the last file, as mentiioned above, was deleted while hearing the finishing sound from the iMac.

FYI.

1. the target was a shared folder on XP, giving full control to everyone for sharing and NTFS permissions.

2. from the iMAC, using "SMB://IPADDRESS/SHARE" to connect to the XP.

3. when you drag and drop a folder to the target, you may see a new folder created (appeard) and disappeard (not deleted) at once.

4. both XP and Leopard have been fully patched, as of today.

any clues please?

regards,
bbao

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Asked On
2009-08-20 at 05:47:20ID24667899
Tags

Mac OS 10.5.8

,

Windows XP SP3

Topics

Mac OS 10.5 (Leopard)

,

Windows XP Operating System

,

Apple Operating Systems

Participating Experts
2
Points
500
Comments
10

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Answers

 

by: Steelers4lifePosted on 2009-08-20 at 07:38:57ID: 25143076

Could it by chance be some kind of permission error ? It is just not showing up as an error on the Leopard machine ? maybe ?

 

by: alphasoixantePosted on 2009-08-20 at 08:26:02ID: 25143729

Have you tried copying just one file? I'd be curious to know if you get the same results.

 

by: alphasoixantePosted on 2009-08-20 at 08:28:37ID: 25143761

Also, how about trying it from the other way around? Create a windows share on the mac and connect from the XP machine. Try pulling to the XP machine instead of pushing from the Mac.

 

by: bbaoPosted on 2009-08-20 at 08:47:33ID: 25144007

thanks for the comments.

@Steelers4life: no any errors at the leopard side, the same for XP side. just double-checked, i have given full control permissions to Users on XP. the MAC accessed the XP using an administrative account.

@alphasoixante: a) the same, a filename appeared and disappeard at once. b) as i need to enable file sharing as well as several other settings on MAC side, i don't want to share something from MAC.

 

by: alphasoixantePosted on 2009-08-20 at 09:07:24ID: 25144215

I know that windows has file naming limitations and, although it sounds like it is not a naming issue, maybe peruse through this article and see if anything catches your eye: http://vlaurie.com/computers2/Articles/filenames.htm

 

by: alphasoixantePosted on 2009-08-20 at 09:13:45ID: 25144283

Ok, I just did some research and this is a Mac OS bug. Many people experience this. The workaround has been to only copy files to a "non empty" folder. In other words before you copy to XP create something (anything) the folder first, like an empty text file. Once you have something in the folder you will be able to copy your folder. Re-reading your post, specifically the "3rd strange issue", it seems that you may have already inadvertently stumbled upon this work around

 

by: bbaoPosted on 2009-08-20 at 09:50:02ID: 25144658

> Ok, I just did some research and this is a Mac OS bug.

really?! yes, it looks like a bug, indeed. and yes, i have already realised the mysterious purpose of "folder" in this case. :-))

could you please point me to an APPLE KB or any kind of official source regarding this mystery?

thanks a lot,
bbao

 

by: alphasoixantePosted on 2009-08-20 at 10:39:30ID: 25145143

Hi,

Yes:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1429064&tstart=-2

The OP in this particular Apple KB was wirting about Linux, but the problem is with Samba (the SMB in your network path stands for Samba), not the Windows or Linux OS. If you scroll down the postings you will see people with the same issue copying to windows machines.

 

by: bbaoPosted on 2009-08-21 at 17:39:11ID: 25156927

thanks for your research alphasoixante.

so it seems to be a total fault at the MAC side.

i am curious to know why APPLE hasn't provided a fix or at least given an official response as it is really a common operation for MAC+WIN users...

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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