Mac Daniel's Advice

I Can No Longer Move Files Using Mac OS X

Dan Knight - 2007.11.05

Low End Mac Reader Specials

Memory To Go Special: MacPro 8 Core Memory 4GB kit $192 / 2GB kit $109. MacBook Pro / MacMini / iMac Intel Core2 DUO 2GB $44 1GB $23--Free shipping available.

Download Typestyler, still the Ultimate Styling Tool for Internet, Print and Video Graphics. Works great in Classic with a Native OS X Version on the way. Free Tryout: www.typestyler.com

LA Computer Company: LA Computer Company: Specials on AppleCare, Apple Displays, MacBooks, iMac's, MacBook Pros, Laptop and iPod accessories and more. Apple A/C Adapters for laptops starting at $25.00 Call 1-800-941-7654 or Click Here.

OtherWorld Computing: Better than new Batteries for iPods NewerTech NuPower, up to 20+ Hours! Complete with Tools from $19.99. Online videos. Professional installation available.

Mac users can finally play Party Poker for Mac. Not only that, they can also learn how to play PokerStars for Mac.

Laptop Hardware Provided by TechRestore - Overnight Mac & iPod Repairs.

Compare products like desktop computers, laptops, and LCD TVs side by side! All the information and reviews to make the best purchasing decision for a new cell phone GPS products or MP3 players. The Ciao network makes searching products easy for you.

NEW MacPro Memory 800Mhz With Apple Spec Heat Sink 2GB Kit $104 / 4GB Kit $184 / 8GB Kit $362 Click to Maximize your Macs...

del.icio.us Bookmark in del.icio.us

From Dan Finegan:

Hi Dan -

First off, thank you for Low End Mac. Your website is a daily must read, and I can't begin to tell you what a wonderful resource you have been for me over the years.

Here's where I am hoping either you or some of your readers can help me. My son has a G3 "Blue and White" running OS X 10.2.8. For some strange reason, the computer won't let him drag any files or folders. I'm fairly sure it's not a hardware issue, and here's the reason - if I boot the computer into OS 9, or if a use an OS X 10.2 CD, it drags like any computer should. I've even created a new user in OS X and have the same problem. I've tried swapping mice and keyboards - the problem reoccurs.

I'm guessing that in some previous life someone set some obscure setting in permissions or something that blocks the Mac's ability and drag items, but I can't locate it. Anyone have any suggestions about how I might be able to fix this?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Dan

Dan,

I've run into that a couple times myself. In each instance, rebooting the computer solved the problem. The fact that you have the problem with a new user indicates something is messed up with the OS X install. I'd suggest a clean reinstall that archives your current installation so you can recover users, system additions, and the like.

Dan

Thanks Dan -

If I do a clean install, will that wipe out all the saved documents, etc.? My son has his documents scattered all over the drive (!) and is worried about losing something important.

Thanks again -
Dan

Dan,

You have several options when installing OS X, and you have to go out of your way to wipe the hard drive before the installation. Use the "Archive and Install" option, which "automatically moves existing system files to a folder named Previous System, then installs Mac OS X again" (Apple).

Dan

Hi Dan -

Thanks for the advice - the "archive and install" option did the trick, and now the drag function is restored. I really though is was some deeply hidden option in the OS, so I was barking up the wrong tree.

Keep up the great web site!

Regards -
Dan

Dan,

Glad to hear everything is working now!

Dan

Not sure if you should upgrade your old Mac or replace it? Check the Mac Daniel index to see if we've already addressed your problem.

Recent Mac Daniel columns

Recent Content on Low End Mac

About LEM | Support | Usage | Privacy | Contacts

Entire Low End Mac website copyright ©1997-2008 by Cobweb Publishing, Inc., unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. Advice presented in good faith, but what works for one may not work for all. Please report errors to .
  LINKS: We allow and encourage links to any public page as long as the linked page does not appear within a frame that prevents bookmarking it.
  Access our RSS news feed at http://lowendmac.com/feed.xml.
  Email may be published at our discretion; email addresses will not be published without permission, and we will encrypt them in hopes of avoiding spammers. If you prefer your message not be published, mark it "not for publication." Letters may be edited for length, context, and to match house style.
  PRIVACY: We don't collect personal information unless you explicitly provide it. For more details, see our Terms of Use.
  Low End Mac is an independent publication and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Apple Inc. Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, iBook, iMac, eMac, iPod, PowerBook, MacBook, Mac Pro, Apple TV, and AirPort are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks and are hereby acknowledged.


Have a question?
Ask an expert!

Low End Living

Amazon.com

Navigation

Used Mac Dealers
Apple History
Best Used Macs
Video Cards
Email Lists
InfoMac's Low
End Mac Forum

Favorite Sites

MacSurfer
MacMinute
MacInTouch
MyAppleMenu
InfoMac
Macs Only!
The Mac Observer
Accelerate Your Mac
RetroMacCast
PB Central
MacWindows
The Vintage Mac
   Museum
DealMac
DealsOnTheWeb
Mac2Sell
ramseeker
Mac Driver Museum
JAG's House
System 6 Heaven
System 7 Today
the pickle's Low-End
   Mac FAQ
Abandonware
   Petition
Mac vs. PC Info

Affiliates

The Apple Store
Mac Connection
MacMall
TechRestore
MacResQ
ExperCom
Crucial Memory
batteries.com

Advertise

All of our advertising is handled by BackBeat Media. For price quotes and advertising information, please contact at BackBeat Media (646-546-5194). This number is for advertising only.

Open Link

Problems viewing this page with Internet Explorer 5.5 or 6? It works fine in other browsers, including IE 7. We recommend Firefox for those using Windows, as it is standards based and more secure than IE 6 (and earlier). More LEM visitors use Firefox than any other browser.