Topics | aliases
Finding and repairing broken aliases
Use the Cleaning Check Aliases command to scan one or more directories for broken aliases.
Options for scanning
If one or more volumes containing alias targets are temporarily unavailable, such as remote volumes which are not currently mounted, you may want File Buddy to ignore aliases to items on those volumes. To have File Buddy ignore those aliases during a scan, use the checkboxes under Ignore aliases to items on unavailable to exclude those aliases during the scan. The options are:

- Servers
  File Buddy will ignore aliases whose originals are on servers which are not currently mounted. Servers include other people’s computers which you access over a network.
- Local volumes
  File Buddy will ignore aliases whose originals are on local, non-removable volumes which are no mounted during the scan.
- Ejectable media
  File Buddy will ignore alises whose originals are on removable disks, such as CD-ROMs, which are not available during the scan.

Repairing broken aliases during the scan
In addition to locating broken aliases, File Buddy can optionally attempt to repair broken aliases as they’re found by searching for items which are similar to a missing original. Use the Find new targets for missing originals option in the Check Aliases window if you want File Buddy attempt to find new originals for broken aliases during the scan. See Alias Repair Options for a description of the criteria File Buddy can use when attempting to identify a substitute for missing originals. The Options... button allows you to edit the search criteria used for locating possible replacement targets. If the Repair an alias: checkbox is checked, File Buddy will also attempt to repair the broken aliases automatically. The associated pop-up menu has two options:

- if one new target is found
  File Buddy will only repair an alias if it finds exactly one original matching the criteria chosen.
- with the first target found
  File Buddy will repair an alias by making it point to the first matching original it finds, even if there is more than one match.

Choosing where to search
See Choosing locations for searches and scans for detailed information about specifying locations to search for broken aliases.
Starting the scan
Use the Check button to initiate the scan after all scanning options are set.
If you change your mind
The Cancel button closes the window and discards any changes to the window’s settings.
Alias Repair Options Scan Results Window Choosing locations for searches and scans Configurations