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A really, really basic question - I am so embarrassed........I am new to Mac and cannot get my saved files back. Mountain Lion.
I have loaded file from a memory stick OK, then tried to drag that file to my Home account drive. It seemed to go there OK, then I turned off the laptop for a few days.
Just turned the laptop on and no sign of my file through Finder.
I even have the "Missing Manual" book and cannot fathom out what basic step I am missing........HELP.
Richard
 

chscag

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What kind of file did you try to drag from the memory stick and where exactly in your home account folder did you drop it? And are you sure the file was successfully dropped where you put it? It sounds like it may not have been dragged and dropped properly?
 
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The stick contained a folder of many plant images.
I highlighted the entire list of images and dragged that to my home icon in the side bar within Finder. It looked like it moved OK, because I think I then went straight into that place to check, but maybe I just got back what I had been looking at originally.
One other thing which I did was to switch off the laptop WITHOUT logging off as User.
Richard
 
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MacInWin

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"Many" is pretty vague, but did you possibly not wait for the transfer to happen? The list of what will be copied shows up pretty quickly, then as the files arrive, the listing changes to a deeper color. So, if you highlighted a large list of images, then dragged them and immediately checked the folder, the names will be there, but not (yet) the files. So, could that be it?
 
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chas_m

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You don't have to log out of your user account before turning off the machine, so that is not the issue.
 
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There were perhaps 250 images, so the fact that I did not wait could be relevant.
I shall try again later to-day but must solve this problem because file saving is pretty basic!
Thanks for the input.
Richard
 
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You were correct - problem solved. I reloaded the images and dragged the file icon (rather than selected images) to my home icon then waited. I watched the transfer progress bar finish then switched off the machine. Switching on again a few minutes later and everything is there - thanks. It is so reassuring to know that support for us novices is out there - we just need to swallow our pride and ask what you guys know as the blindingly obvious.
Very grateful for your responses.
Richard
 

Slydude

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Nice work guys. I hadn't figured out exactly what happened.
 
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MacInWin

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Happy to have been of assistance. I think we all may have "been there, done that."
 
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chas_m

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Congrats! I will mention that it doesn't sound like you are in the habit of pulling the thumb drive out without properly ejecting it. On the Mac or Windows, this will sooner or later result in the ruining of the thumb drive, so don't do that (assuming you do or did that).
 
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A very good point, Chas, thank you..............and of course once again you are totally correct. In fact last night the machine shouted at me for not ejecting properly, so having received that slap on the hand I went back and did what I was told!
The most important thing is that I LEARNED from the experience.
I am getting there slowly................by the way, HAPPY 4th of JULY to all you guys in US.
Richard
 

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