Solving Missing Scratch Disk or Offline File Problems

To operate properly, Final Cut Pro relies on links between project files and media on the scratch disk volumes. Because of the nature of DV media files and the need for high-bandwidth access, it's often recommended that media and project files be stored on different volumes.

When these volumes are disconnected or renamed, or the files are moved, renamed, or duplicated, it is possible for the links to become broken, resulting in one of two errors: a missing scratch disk volume or offline clips. Fortunately, in Final Cut Pro the process of relocating your scratch disk volumes and relinking your project and media files is straightforward.

Scratch Disk and Offline File Problems at a Glance
Type of Problem	Symptom	Possible Cause	Solution
Missing scratch disk	#1: A dialog at launch says your scratch disk is missing	The missing disks are not present or not powered on	Remount scratch disk, page 807
		You are no longer using the disk in question	Reset scratch disk, page 807
Offline files at launch	#1: Project's clips are offline and unavailable	Project has a missing scratch disk	Reconnect offline clips, page 809
	#2: Offline clips are inaccessible through the Reconnect Media dialog	Changed some media file names or captured clips into a project you can't access	Force-link clips to media, page 812
Problems importing audio files from CDs	#1: Audio files drop frames and go offline after relaunching FCP	Referencing the audio files from the CD in the CD-ROM drive	Copy audio files to hard drive before importing them into FCP, page 813