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About Jeff Greenberg
Expertise
I can comfortably answer most basic/advanced questions regarding Macintosh hardware and software - nowadays only OSX. In fact, if it's prior to 10.3, there's a good chance I'll reject your question. Forget OS9 stuff - Igave up OS 9 ten years ago). Please do not ask me about OS9. My particular specialties are in Video editing/DVD authoring. I am a certified trainer in the "pro apps" (Final Cut, DVDSP, Soundtrack, Motion). I have been using Macs since 1985.

Experience
I'm an Apple Cert. Trainer for FCP, DVD SP, since the inception of this program. I've was
certified as an Apple Cert. Technician back in 1989.

Publications
Videography, Macworld, Tibits

Education/Credentials
BA film- Penn State. Certifications from Apple, Adobe and Avid for training.

You are here: Experts > Computing/Technology > Focus on Mac Support > Macintosh OS > Stop a file that keeps copying?

Macintosh OS - Stop a file that keeps copying?

Expert: Jeff Greenberg - 10/27/2009

Question
Hi Robert - I have a Mac G4 with OS 10.3.9. I dragged a file into an external hard drive and it just keeps copying. It's not copying it, and when I press 'Stop' nothing happens. The progress bar just keep turning. When I try to move a file out of the main file it won't go. I also can't restart the computer - it says 'wait until the task is completed' Any ideas how I can stop the copying of the file?

Thank you

Bill

Answer
Robert,

It sounds like you have a couple of problems here;

I'll tell you that you can absolutely shut off the computer (hold down the power button...)
You could also Press CMD-OPT-Escape to bring up the force quit window and then Force Quit the Finder (the program that's doing the copying.) That should take care of the copy.

I'd suggest a restart; then open disk utility and make sure that you do a permissions check and a drive verification.

Best,

Jeff G

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