"Unable to open target file for writing"

This section is now closed
Forum rules
Audacity 1.2.x is now obsolete. Please use the current Audacity 2.1.x version.

Mac 0S X 10.3 and earlier are no longer supported but you can download legacy versions of Audacity for those systems HERE.
Locked
joeo
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2008 5:13 am
Operating System: Please select

"Unable to open target file for writing"

Post by joeo » Tue Dec 30, 2008 5:32 am

I have just upgraded to a macbook pro from a g3 ibook. I had been digitizing my vinyl with an ion usb turntable and audacity 1.2.6 on the old laptop, recording and exporting (to mp3) without incident. When I try to use the new mac i am unable to export the files to mp3, I get the error message "Unable to open target file for writing". I tried using 1.2.6/lamelib at first and then downloaded audacity 1.2.5/libmp3lame.dylib (for intel macs). I had the same issues with both versions. I have been able to record songs, just not export them. I also have a bunch of songs i had previously recorded on the old laptop (and moved over to the macbook pro) that i hadnt exported yet and these gave me the same error message. The .aup and _data files are both present.

Thanks in advance for any help solving this problem!

kozikowski
Forum Staff
Posts: 68938
Joined: Thu Aug 02, 2007 5:57 pm
Operating System: macOS 10.13 High Sierra

Re: "Unable to open target file for writing"

Post by kozikowski » Tue Dec 30, 2008 7:40 pm

I thought this had come up before.

http://audacityteam.org/forum/viewtopic ... ile#p31708

Underscore and dash are the only two punctuation marks allowed in computer file names. Some Macs will allow other marks (/, ?, !), but that's a recipe for disaster. The truly compulsive will not use spaces, either.

My_really_great_Christmas-Music.wav

Our company has a convention of leading caps.

MyReallyGreatChristmasMusic.wav

Koz

joeo
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2008 5:13 am
Operating System: Please select

Re: "Unable to open target file for writing"

Post by joeo » Wed Dec 31, 2008 7:57 am

Thanks Koz

I missed that topic in the forums when I looked before I posted. From your post I was able to rule out the file name issue and the fragmented drive issue. I did resolve the problem, it was actually an issue with the permissions in the folder i had the files in since I had copied it over from the old laptop. So, a new destination for the exported mp3 and problem solved! Thanks very much and happy new year!

Joe

kozikowski
Forum Staff
Posts: 68938
Joined: Thu Aug 02, 2007 5:57 pm
Operating System: macOS 10.13 High Sierra

Re: "Unable to open target file for writing"

Post by kozikowski » Thu Jan 01, 2009 12:23 am

Have you tried Verify Disk and Repair Permissions in Applications > Utilities > Disk Utilities?

If you have an older machine, you may need to restart the machine on your install CD (Put the CD in and hold "C" during startup and release it when the Apple appears). Then go into the utilities and run Disk Utilities from there.

Koz

Locked