File transfer issue from Mac to USB Solved

Question

Hello,
I have a 32GB USB drive formatted in FAT32 and when I try to transfer a small file from the Mac to the drive, an error message appears saying "Cannot copy '...' because this item is too large for the volume format." What I don't understand is that this file is only 2.18GB (and the same message appears when I try with other files of equivalent size below 4GB). And the worst part, which remains a mystery to me, is that when I try to transfer another file that weighs 6.43GB, it works and the transfer begins. I confirm that the drive is indeed in FAT32; I can provide a screenshot as proof. Finally, I do not wish to use ExFAT as the drive is intended to be connected to my television, which does not recognize that format.
Lastly, I want to say that I have previously transferred similar files a few months ago on this same drive, under 4GB, and I had no issues.
Thank you in advance for your help.

Configuration: Macintosh / Chrome 61.0.3163.100

_Ritchi_ · Accepted Answer

Hello MohTheShrink

Imagine you want to copy the file "MonFichierSource" to a USB drive. Here’s how to do it using the Terminal.

Open the "Applications -> Utilities" folder
Launch "Terminal"
In the window that appears (called the Terminal)
- type this command:

cp

- press the spacebar to add a "blank" character after the "cp" command
- click and hold the icon of the file "MonFichierSource" and drag this icon to the Terminal window, then finally release the mouse click.
If you did this operation correctly, the command line "cp " should be completed with the absolute path to the "MonFichierSource" file along with the file name.
You should have something that looks like:

cp /Users/YourAccountName/ThePathToTheFile/MonFichierSource

- press the spacebar to add a "blank" character after the file name
- click and hold the icon of your USB drive and drag this icon to the Terminal window, then finally release the mouse click.
If you did this operation correctly, the command line should be completed with the absolute path to the USB drive.
You should have something that looks like:

cp /Users/YourAccountName/ThePathToTheFile/MonFichierSource /Volumes/MyUSBDrive/

If you have that, then run the command by pressing the Enter key ( ↩︎ )

If you have any doubts, before pressing the Enter key ( ↩︎ ), copy/paste the command into this discussion and I will let you know if it's OK or not

Ritchi

_Ritchi_ · Answer

Good evening,

Indeed, this behavior is very strange!
If it happened to me, I would reformat the drive to Mac OS Extended, just to wipe all data related to the FAT32 format, then I would reformat it to FAT32. I would then try transferring my 2.18GB file again.

Ritchi

Aidezmoisiouplait! · Answer

Hello,
Thank you for your intervention -Ritchi-, I implemented your idea and the result remains the same :(
I really don't understand. I'm attaching a screenshot to the discussion to illustrate my points.
If anyone has an idea of why or how?!!
Thanks in advance

_Ritchi_ · Answer

Hello,

The fact that you can transfer "Parks and Recreation" which is 6.43GB is due to the fact that it's a folder and the 54 items contained have an acceptable size.
This is not the case with the "Spiderman" file which is 2.39GB in one piece.

That being said, the FAT32 format should accept files of 4GB.

Questions:
1- I see in the image on the left that your USB drive already has 4.4GB used. I expected it to be empty after reformatting. Do you know what is on this drive?

2- The image in the middle shows the error popup "

Cannot copy "Spiderman..." because this item is too large for the volume format

". Just above, it says that you are copying 14 items for a total of 6.43GB. However, you indicate that this size is that of the "Parks and Recreation" folder, but this folder contains 54 items.
So, I do not understand what is currently being copied: Spiderman or Parks & Recreation or both?

Ritchi

_Ritchi_ · Answer

Hello,  "Park and recreation" is a folder and therefore its size is that of the sum of the sizes of the files contained in the folder. The size of the folder is therefore not limited to 4GB.  To move forward, it would be good if: - you open this "Park and Recreation" folder and look for the size of the largest file it contains. This way we will have an idea of what your USB key can handle;  - you find video files (other than Spiderman) whose sizes range from 1 to 4GB and transfer them to your USB key. Depending on the successes and failures of the transfers, we will then have an idea if the problem is related to the Spiderman file or if it is a general issue.  Ritchi

_Ritchi_ · Answer

Hello

You can test the transfer of large files with a Windows PC.
If it works, then the issue is with the Mac.
While you’re on PC, take the opportunity to format your USB drive and try transferring large files from your Mac again.
You can also try partitioning your USB drive by creating two 16GB partitions.
Ritchi

Aidezmoisiouplait! · Answer

Hello,

I formatted the drive to NTFS on a Windows PC. Then I directly reformatted it to FAT32. I tried to copy a file that was a little over 500MB (I didn't have anything heavier) and it worked. I deleted that file and then went back to Mac. The problem hasn't changed; it is still impossible to transfer movies smaller than 4GB to my FAT32 drive.

Here is a screenshot that provides more information about the drive and shows that the same problem applies to two other films under 4GB that I am trying to transfer separately.

_Ritchi_ · Answer

Hello,  Have you run First Aid on your USB flash drive from Disk Utility?  Ritchi

Aliboron Martin · Answer

With all that, you didn't provide any details about the context, and especially about the version of macOS running on your machine. If, by chance, you are one of those who are adventurous and enjoy taking risks, and you ventured into High Sierra, it seems that you shouldn't be surprised to find a limit of 2 GB for copying to Fat32. See the description in this article on another site...

Hello and welcome!
Bernard

bibiwave · Answer

I have the same problem :/

File transfer issue from Mac to USB

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