Final Cut suddenly gone

[AndreasR]

Im very desperate right now because I am unable to use my Final Cut Express, which was working totally well a few days ago. The Final Cut symbol has vanished, leaving a question mark at its place with nothing happening when I try to use it.
When I search for "Final Cut Express" in the finder, I can still find several cache files (in Final Cut Express documents) and User data besides lots of small files. However, I cant find the main startup program, which is very disturbing as I need it for work.

I use a 1Ghz Power PC G4 with 512 SDRAM and MAC OSX 10.3.9. I cant remember which version of Final Cut I used but I bought it about two years ago together with my mac.

Id be very grateful for any help. Maybe I overwrote sth important somehow (dont know how though) or Ive been hacked or something... I guess I should be able to reinstall it but is that possible with ceeping my saved files that still seem to be there? Or should I search for another specific file that it wont show if I just look for the programs name in Finder? Thanks!

 

[Ric]

Hi there and welcome !

the fact that it is now a '?' means that the file in the Dock can no longer 'link' to the Application...

...is there any way that you could have accidently deleted Final Cut Express ?

Does anyone else have access to the Mac ?

The Application Final Cut Express should be in the "Applications folder", if you see what I mean ?

I think you will have to reinstall, but depending on the install process, all your old prefs should stay put !

regards

Ric

 

[AndreasR]

Hi Ric and thanks for your reply.
I dont think I accidentally deleted the program and no one else has access to my mac. After looking for the program file in my application folder I can say its not there though. Does that mean that my used files (the projects and movie/sound files) are gone too?

Do you or does anyone else know where Final Cut 2.0 saves these kinds of files?

When I reinstall, won't the Installer overwrite the other files as they'll have the same names as the new ones?
Thanks!

 

[Ric]

Hi there,

I haven't been able to track down a copy of Final Cut Express 2...

...but in Final Cut Express HD you save the Project files wherever you want. Can you think of any of the Project file names and do a search for them ?

regards

Ric

 

[Cory Cooper]

Go

I believe the default location for all versions of Final Cut/FC Express is in your Home > Documents > Final Cut/Final Cut Express folder.

 

[Ric]

As Cory says, thats the default location where all your "Projects" would have been saved...

Final Cut Express also create's a folder called "Autosave Vault"... can you have a look for that, there may be some of your project files in there...

I saved a few "Projects" in the standard, default location, and then deleted the Final Cut Express Application...

Then re-installed...all my "projects" were still there !

regards

Ric