Can't copy a folder to an external drive because they are in use?

[kat.hayes]

I'm trying to transfer a folder from my MBP to an external drive and it keeps giving me a message that "One of more items in "my folder" can't be changed because they are in use. There is an option to Stop or Continue.

I tried rebooting the Mac and it still does the same thing. What do i need to to?

Thanks.

 

[casperes1996]

In Terminal, try running "lsof [name of file that are in use]" - It'll show which processes are accessing the files

 

[kat.hayes]

How do I determine which file is being used? The folder contains thousands of files.

Thanks.

 

[casperes1996]

How do I determine which file is being used? The folder contains thousands of files.

Thanks.

I assumed Finder told you - Try and create a new folder on the external drive with the same name, and instead of copying over the folder, mark all the items inside the folder and copy them over. Then I believe Finder will tell you which files it can't transfer. If not, come back to me and we'll try with the Terminal and make it verbose

 

[kat.hayes]

I narrowed it down to two .CR2 files that are partially ghosted out and show a size of Zero bytes. They look the way files do when they are being copied over but are not fully copied so they are not clickable and are semi-transparent. I'm guessing they are just corrupt, so I will just throw them out.

Thanks for your help.

 

[casperes1996]

I narrowed it down to two .CR2 files that are partially ghosted out and show a size of Zero bytes. They look the way files do when they are being copied over but are not fully copied so they are not clickable and are semi-transparent. I'm guessing they are just corrupt, so I will just throw them out.

Thanks for your help.

Sounds like the Finder sees them as a transfer to the folder in progress which would indeed explain why it wouldn't move the folder

You're welcome - Glad it worked out