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Forum Discussion
Problem with copy PDF file to external harddrive via dropbox, how to solve?
When I export pdf file from ipad to dropbox, then copy the file from dropbox to pc, it's fine. But if I copy the same pdf file to the external HD, it says there's not enough memory to complete the operation, basically can't copy pdf to external hd if it went through dropbox. why is that?
P.S. I tried to use Box and Google Drive instead to copy the same file, they work fine. So dropbox must have done something to the pdf file.
17 Replies
- Hannah
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hey Saga66, thanks for joining our Community.
Dropbox doesn't alter your files in any way, but let's see what we can find out about this.
After exporting the file to your Dropbox, how are you copying it to your PC? Are you downloading it from our website or does it sync with the Dropbox desktop app?
And if you move the file to a different location on your PC first, and then move it to your external drive, do you see a different behavior?
Let me know.
Sync with the dropbox desktop app. (dropbox folder in file explorer)
No, dropbox to external HD doesn't work. Dropbox to PC, then PC to external HD also doesn't work. (I even tried with pdf files I saved to dropbox centuries ago, they don't work also. So it's not just one pdf, it's all pdfs)
P.S. I also tried OneDrive, which works. Except for Dropbox, all of Box, Google Drive, and OneDrive work.
- Hannah
Thanks for the update, Saga66.
When you're copying the files either to your desktop first and then your external drive or directly from the Dropbox folder to the external drive, what is the state of the files?
Meaning, are they set to 'online-only' or to 'available offline'?
I have no idea what you mean by that, how do I know what state are they? I didn't change any settings, it's default. Why don't you take a look? The video is here: [removed]
I just tried, it makes no difference.
- Jay
As my colleague suggested, are the files available offline or online-only? You can check the status by looking at the sync icons.
Try marking them as available offline first, and then see if they can copy to the external drive.
Did you watch the video I sent you? There's a green check icon on the lower left of every file. So I assume they are all availble offline (on my pc)!
And your suggestion doesn't make sense at all, I can't copy pdf files only, I have no problem with other files. If it's because of offline or online, why can I copy other files with no problem?
- Jay
Do you have Adobe Creative Cloud installed on your device?
No I don't.
I don't see how your questions relate to the issue. If other clouds have no problem and only dropbox does, it's something to do with dropbox 99% for sure.
I tried to go into dropbox.com and download from there and it's fine. But it's no point using dropbox if it doesn't work in file explorer.
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