System 7.5: Invisible Desktop Files (2/95)


In the System 7.5 Find File dialog box, a customer used the Option key to allow selection of "visibility is invisible." Among the invisible files, she observed were two AppleShare PDS files, a desktop, two Desktop DB and two Desktop DF files.

Under what conditions do multiple Desktop files or AppleShare PDS files appear in the Find File window? Why do additional invisible files appear?

It is possible to find multiple Desktop files or AppleShare PDS files in the Find File window when Find File is used to search multiple disks. If Find File is set to find items on local disks, then users may be able to see varying combinations of the "AppleShare PDS", "Desktop DB", "Desktop DF", and "Desktop" files.

The following chart shows the general rules of how and when these files appear:

. May appear on
This file... this kind of disk... Because of this software.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
"AppleShare PDS" hard disk, and other System 7 File Sharing
. modifiable volumes
. (not floppy disks)

"Desktop DB" or CD-ROM, hard disk, and System 7.0, or later
"Desktop DF" other modifiable volumes
. (not floppy disks)

"Desktop" Any kind System 6.0.X, or earlier


In general, an AppleShare PDS file should appear for each hard disk volume (or other modifiable volume) which has been used with File Sharing. A Desktop DB and Desktop DF file should appear for each mounted CD-ROM volume and any other volume (except for floppy disks) which has been used with System 7.0, or later. A Desktop file should appear for each floppy disk, and any other volume that has been "touched" by System Software 6.0.X or earlier.


Article Change History:
16 Feb 1995 - Reviewed for accuracy and changed keyword.

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Published Date: Feb 19, 2012