[X4U] hidden files

[Stroller]

On 5 Feb 2006, at 03:54, mactechlists at cox.net wrote:

> Does anyone know of an application that will let me see hidden  
> files to make them visable? A friend deleted the .DS_Store file  
> from a jump drive. It will no longer let him delete anything from  
> the drive. We tried to put the .DS_Store file back, but we got an  
> error message saying a hidden file by that name already exists.

I'm pretty sure the .DS_Store file is a Clupea Rubra to being unable  
to delete anything from the drive. I delete .DS_Store files all the  
time, as they're annoying when browsing the drive in Windows, and I'm  
pretty sure all they do is save the Finder window state (ie, the  
"last view") of the directory.

Could it be that you're unable to delete anything from the drive  
because its been used both in Windows & MacOS and consequently is  
full up with Recycler & .Trashes files? Could it be there's  
insufficient space to copy the file to the <icon of a wastepaper  
basket> before deleting it?

In the first instance I'd look seriously into why you can't reformat  
the drive - this is the most serious problem. Copy the data of first,  
of course! If it REALLY won't format then I'd suggest the drive is  
knackered, Can you explain what steps you're trying in Disk Utility,  
please? Is it possible this is one of those rare drives with a switch  
to lock the drive against writing?

Stroller.