Can´t import from USB drive

[theresbuzz]

Hi,
I´m on ProTools 11.2.1 OSX 10.9.5 and using a macbook air.
I can't import from an external USB hard drive. I even had the issue from an usb stick too. I have to copy it on the internal hard drive and after that i can import data.

If you have any suggestions how to solve this issue, please come along.

[Craig F]

I'd look at Permissions first

[Park Seward]

How is your drive formatted?

Are you trying to import a session or just audio files?

[theresbuzz]

I have permission to read and write.

The drive is formatted in FAT32. I try to import audio files with CMD+Shift+I. FWIW I can open a session from the external hard drive.

Thank you for your answers.

[Park Seward]

I am sure you are aware of this but you might check:

FAT32 has a few limitations. Those limitations include the following: All individual files must be smaller than 4GB in size to be able to be copied to this drive, and all file names must follow the Windows naming convention. That is, you can only use the letters and characters that are acceptable when creating Windows files. Apple/Mac allow for some extra characters when creating file names but these extra characters in the file names will not work with FAT32.

The comment about permissions might refer to Disk Utility Permissions. Have you run "Repair Permissions"?

[priorytools]

get another usb drive. Format it to HFS+ journaled. Copy all your data over from the fat32 & away you go.
Also; general tip, don't work on your internal drive that your system is on.
If you must use your internal drive. Clone it to an external hdd. Then reparation your internal drive into 2. … #1 for your system etc #2 for your work. Clone your system back onto #1..
Am on my phone so can't go into huge detail. Do a search on partitioning.

[theresbuzz]

I know about the limitations of FAT32.

I cannot run "repair permissions" but I ran the "verify disk" and "repair disk" dialog. Same thing. I cannot import into protools.

I know I could get another hard drive, but the drive is working just fine except with protools. I don´t want to change into an apple specific format.

[Darryl Ramm]

Repair permissions only applies to a system disk.

[Park Seward]

Originally Posted by Darryl Ramm

Repair permissions only applies to a system disk.

Correct. Run it on the System Disk.

[theresbuzz]

Did that.
I can now import certain files. For example I can import into a 24Bit 44.1khz session a 16Bit 2 channel audio file with 44.1khz. But I cannot import MP3s. I also can´t import 24bit files.

If I´m clicking on the pre listening button before importing, pro tools is not responding. This is regardless which files I would like to import.