Finale 2012 Not Backing Up: Cannot Find Specified Path
Moderators: Peter Thomsen, miker
All of a sudden, My Finale is not backing up to AVS files. When I close, the program does save changes, however. While working, everytime Finale tries to save a backup I get the Cannot Find Specified Path prompt. Also when closing the program. Using Windows 8.
- zuill
- Posts: 4418
- Joined: Sat Dec 10, 2016 9:35 pm
- Finale Version: Finale 2011-v26.3.1
- Operating System: Windows
If the path is correct and the folder is where preferences looks for it, then you should be okay. If Saving and backing up (bak) files are going where they should go, then it appears Finale is working correctly. If this suddenly started, and nothing else has changed, then possibly your Preferences got corrupted. In that case, back up the preferences file and regenerate Preferences. That might fix things. If not, you can go back to your old preferences to save resetting all your fine tunings in preferences.
Zuill
Zuill
Windows 10, Finale 2011-v26.3.1
"When all is said and done, more is said than done."
"When all is said and done, more is said than done."
Not sure how to go about that. I Googled a little but couldn't find much on that.zuill wrote: ↑Sun Apr 18, 2021 7:04 pmIf the path is correct and the folder is where preferences looks for it, then you should be okay. If Saving and backing up (bak) files are going where they should go, then it appears Finale is working correctly. If this suddenly started, and nothing else has changed, then possibly your Preferences got corrupted. In that case, back up the preferences file and regenerate Preferences. That might fix things. If not, you can go back to your old preferences to save resetting all your fine tunings in preferences.
Zuill
- motet
- Posts: 8276
- Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2016 8:33 pm
- Finale Version: 2014.5,2011,2005,27
- Operating System: Windows
Sounds like you're talking about autosave files (.asv or asvx), not backup files (.bak. or .bakx). Preferences also specifies a folder for those. If it's blank, it goes where the .mus or .musx file lives. In Preferences/Save, make sure Autosave is checked.Billy May wrote: ↑Sun Apr 18, 2021 6:28 pmAll of a sudden, My Finale is not backing up to AVS files. When I close, the program does save changes, however. While working, everytime Finale tries to save a backup I get the Cannot Find Specified Path prompt. Also when closing the program. Using Windows 8.
- ebiggs1
- Posts: 1434
- Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2016 8:57 am
- Finale Version: Finale 27.3
- Operating System: Windows
Make sure the path and folder exists. Finale doesn't create either. You need to do that if you have specified a path and folder other than the default.
Finale 27.4.1 - Perfect Layout Silver - Note Performer 4.4 - SmartScore Pro 64 - Windows 11
President, The Shawnee Concert Band, Composer/Arranger, retired Music Teacher.
President, The Shawnee Concert Band, Composer/Arranger, retired Music Teacher.
Thank you. That did the trick. All set. Up and running like usual. Have bookmarked that page. Now, all I gotta do is figure out how to afford a Mac.
Yes, ASV Thank you. Autosave checked. All's good. Now if only I could afford a Mac! Maybe refurbished.motet wrote: ↑Sun Apr 18, 2021 9:54 pmSounds like you're talking about autosave files (.asv or asvx), not backup files (.bak. or .bakx). Preferences also specifies a folder for those. If it's blank, it goes where the .mus or .musx file lives. In Preferences/Save, make sure Autosave is checked.Billy May wrote: ↑Sun Apr 18, 2021 6:28 pmAll of a sudden, My Finale is not backing up to AVS files. When I close, the program does save changes, however. While working, everytime Finale tries to save a backup I get the Cannot Find Specified Path prompt. Also when closing the program. Using Windows 8.
- miker
- Posts: 6009
- Joined: Fri Mar 13, 2009 4:28 pm
- Finale Version: Finale 27.4
- Operating System: Mac
Skip the lattes! It's worth it.
In all seriousness, refurbished is certainty a good way to go. You can get genuine Apple refurbs, at https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished
I would stay away from the products on Amazon, because they weren't done by Apple. Just my opinion...
Finale 27 | SmartScorePro 64
Mac OS 13.2.1 Ventura
Copyist for Barbershop Harmony Society
Mac OS 13.2.1 Ventura
Copyist for Barbershop Harmony Society
- zuill
- Posts: 4418
- Joined: Sat Dec 10, 2016 9:35 pm
- Finale Version: Finale 2011-v26.3.1
- Operating System: Windows
I am sure that Windows is not the cause of the ASV file issue. I have been a user of Finale on windows for 25 years and have never had a problem with ASV files. I know that Finale was originally introduced on Mac. However, they seem to have put much, if not more attention to the Win version of Finale in recent years. And I can run older versions of Finale on the latest release of Windows 10 (currently I have 2011, 2012, 2014, 2014.5, v25 and v26 installed). Just saying.
Zuill
Zuill
Windows 10, Finale 2011-v26.3.1
"When all is said and done, more is said than done."
"When all is said and done, more is said than done."
- motet
- Posts: 8276
- Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2016 8:33 pm
- Finale Version: 2014.5,2011,2005,27
- Operating System: Windows
As Zuill alludes to, the downside of Finale on the Mac is that new versions of the MacOS almost always break Finale, so you're forced to upgrade to the latest version, and not just of Finale. Whereas I'm still using Finale 2014.5, Office 2010, and my favorite paint program, Jasc Paint Shop Pro, from 2004 (later sold to Corel, who made it crappy).
I'm glad you talked about that! I have a Windows 10 PC for work only, no online, no Windows updates. I have 32 GB memory in the 10 machine, yet Finale runs better on my Windows 8 PC. On the 10, instruments momentarily disappear from the audio and there are times all the instruments go flat in pitch! Considering (hoping to afford) a Mac. But then, as motet points out, I'd have to buy the latest Finale too.zuill wrote: ↑Tue Apr 20, 2021 3:16 amI am sure that Windows is not the cause of the ASV file issue. I have been a user of Finale on windows for 25 years and have never had a problem with ASV files. I know that Finale was originally introduced on Mac. However, they seem to have put much, if not more attention to the Win version of Finale in recent years. And I can run older versions of Finale on the latest release of Windows 10 (currently I have 2011, 2012, 2014, 2014.5, v25 and v26 installed). Just saying.
Zuill
Hi, great that you brought this up. As I told Zuill, my Finale 2012 works better on my old Windows 8 PC. On my newer 10 PC, with 32 GB memory, instruments momentarily drop out and entire sections of instruments go flat in pitch. So, I've been hoping maybe I can afford a Apple refurbed Mac.motet wrote: ↑Tue Apr 20, 2021 3:43 amAs Zuill alludes to, the downside of Finale on the Mac is that new versions of the MacOS almost always break Finale, so you're forced to upgrade to the latest version, and not just of Finale. Whereas I'm still using Finale 2014.5, Office 2010, and my favorite paint program, Jasc Paint Shop Pro, from 2004 (later sold to Corel, who made it crappy).
So, not only would I have to upgrade to the latest Finale, but you're saying I'd have to upgrade my Garritan and Aria too?
miker wrote: ↑Tue Apr 20, 2021 2:57 amSkip the lattes! It's worth it.
In all seriousness, refurbished is certainty a good way to go. You can get genuine Apple refurbs, at https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished
I would stay away from the products on Amazon, because they weren't done by Apple. Just my opinion...
A big thank you for that. Have never owned a Mac. I Googled a little and it seems a popular Mac choice for music production is the Retina 27" laptop type? Over 160 GB memory can be installed!?miker wrote: ↑Tue Apr 20, 2021 2:57 amSkip the lattes! It's worth it.
In all seriousness, refurbished is certainty a good way to go. You can get genuine Apple refurbs, at https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished
I would stay away from the products on Amazon, because they weren't done by Apple. Just my opinion...
- ebiggs1
- Posts: 1434
- Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2016 8:57 am
- Finale Version: Finale 27.3
- Operating System: Windows
If you think you have problems with Finale on a Windows machine just wait until you get that Mac!
Finale 27.4.1 - Perfect Layout Silver - Note Performer 4.4 - SmartScore Pro 64 - Windows 11
President, The Shawnee Concert Band, Composer/Arranger, retired Music Teacher.
President, The Shawnee Concert Band, Composer/Arranger, retired Music Teacher.
- miker
- Posts: 6009
- Joined: Fri Mar 13, 2009 4:28 pm
- Finale Version: Finale 27.4
- Operating System: Mac
Can you be specific, rather than anecdotal? The only problem that I see is, as Motet mentioned, having to keep a close eye on what programs may stop working after major system updates.
Finale 27 | SmartScorePro 64
Mac OS 13.2.1 Ventura
Copyist for Barbershop Harmony Society
Mac OS 13.2.1 Ventura
Copyist for Barbershop Harmony Society
-
- Posts: 1306
- Joined: Fri Aug 20, 2010 8:59 am
- Finale Version: Finale 27
- Operating System: Mac
Garritan Libraries haven't been updated for years. They are just files, apart from ARIA. There are free updates for the Aria player and plug-ins.
To be fair, most of the reasons for older Finale versions not working on newer Mac OS versions were due to bugs in Finale or seriously old code. It's really only the 32-bit cut-off (ok, and the PPC cut-off in 2010) that have been Apple's doing.
One would hope that with all the 'modernization' work they've been doing for the last 10 years, Finale 26 should be fairly robust for several years.
I haven't had a single app fail because of a Mac OS upgrade for years -- and where there have been minor problems, free updates have fixed them in due course.
- ebiggs1
- Posts: 1434
- Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2016 8:57 am
- Finale Version: Finale 27.3
- Operating System: Windows
I was a beta tester for two different fairly large companies for years. I can confidently say 80% of all the issues we had were with Mac's.
Personally I have no preference for either because once up and running the software is essentially the same. A few minor differences.
The main most reason I have Windows is because of price. To get the same machine or equivalent in a Mac would be double, or more, the coat of what I have in my Windows, Dell machine. But like the response above if there is an OS change, or upgrade, or software upgrade, get ready for a challenge on your Mac.
Personally I have no preference for either because once up and running the software is essentially the same. A few minor differences.
The main most reason I have Windows is because of price. To get the same machine or equivalent in a Mac would be double, or more, the coat of what I have in my Windows, Dell machine. But like the response above if there is an OS change, or upgrade, or software upgrade, get ready for a challenge on your Mac.
Finale 27.4.1 - Perfect Layout Silver - Note Performer 4.4 - SmartScore Pro 64 - Windows 11
President, The Shawnee Concert Band, Composer/Arranger, retired Music Teacher.
President, The Shawnee Concert Band, Composer/Arranger, retired Music Teacher.
-
- Posts: 1306
- Joined: Fri Aug 20, 2010 8:59 am
- Finale Version: Finale 27
- Operating System: Mac
Gross generalisations always have huge error bars. Yes, you can make a PC that Apple doesn't sell, but a similarly specced HP or Dell to an actual Mac product will be about the same price.ebiggs1 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 20, 2021 2:47 pm
The main most reason I have Windows is because of price. To get the same machine or equivalent in a Mac would be double, or more, the coat of what I have in my Windows, Dell machine. But like the response above if there is an OS change, or upgrade, or software upgrade, get ready for a challenge on your Mac.
For most use cases, the choice is entirely personal preference. For a small margin, there are some use cases where one or other platform has advantages/disadvantages.
Last edited by BuonTempi on Tue Apr 20, 2021 4:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.