Fixing InDesign modified links error

[cirjakvoja]

I have a project in InDesign, and it's been sitting unchanged for some time. The most recent changes I've done were in March, and that was temporary (I changed up some things for the purposes of exporting), meaning I didn't save them. The project has multiple links, and those links (files) have remained unchanged since January. However, now when I try to open up my project(s), it tells me that the links have been modified and it's asking me to update them.

The first result on Google when searching for the solution of this problem is: 

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/indesign-links-show-as-modified-when-not-modifie...

In there, the solution refers to updating to an older version of Universal Type Client. However, considering that I am using InDesign 2023 (v. 18.1), I am unsure whether that's a relevant solution. What I did instead is updated to the latest version of Universal Type Client (I just downloaded it and proceeded with the installation; I didn't uninstall anything prior). However, the issue hasn't been fixed. I restarted my computer both before installing the latest UTC and after, but it did not resolve the issue.

[Rishabh_Tiwari]

Hi,

Sorry to hear about the trouble. Please share a few more details like:

-The version of InDesign & OS.

-Is the file saved locally or on any network or shared drive?
-Are the linked files saved locally or on any network or shared drive?

-Was there any change in the location of the linked file?

Thanks

Rishabh

[cirjakvoja]

-InDesign 2023 v.18.1 / Windows 10 Enterprise 22H2 (build 19045.4170)

-the file is saved locally on my PC's HDD, while the images are on an external SD card (it's plugged in when I'm opening the projects)

-As far as I am aware, the files on the SD card have not been moved or renamed

[cirjakvoja]

Did you find a solution?

[Rishabh_Tiwari]

Hi,

Sorry to hear about the trouble. Please share a few more details like:

-The version of InDesign & OS.

-Is the file saved locally or on any network or shared drive?
-Are the linked files saved locally or on any network or shared drive?

-Was there any change in the location of the linked file?

Thanks

Rishabh

[cirjakvoja]

So, you decided to reply to my comment, in which I've answered all the questions you posted twice?

[Rishabh_Tiwari]

I am so sorry for the confusion. Can you try reconnecting the SD card once and also what happens when you try updating the links? 

Thanks

Rishabh

[cirjakvoja]

Reconnecting the SD card does not help. When I update the links, I believe everything works as intented, but how can I be sure?

[leo.r]

Reconnecting the SD card does not help

By @cirjakvoja

In my opinion, SD card isn't a suitable media for this purpose in the first place (if it's not the case, then I'm sure other users will correct me). But I think you just need to get a real SSD and keep your linked images there. 

[cirjakvoja]

I appreciate your opinion and understand your point—I wouldn't disagree—but it doesn't quite answer how to solve the problem.

This did not happen in the past, and from the start of the project, the image files were on the external SD card.

[leo.r]

This did not happen in the past, and from the start of the project, the image files were on the external SD card.

By @cirjakvoja

Exactly.

Extensive continuous read/write operations on SD card can eventually lead to various issues such as corruption, failure, and more. 

If you eventually able to find a solution and to continue work successfully with this particular SD card, then I can only be happy.

But if you want an immediate, long term solution then I'd recommend to move your images to a real SSD. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@cirjakvoja 

Maybe it's related to the recent time change?

[cirjakvoja]

Hmm... any clue as to how that would cause such an issue? The date and time of the image files hasn't changed since January. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Hmm... any clue as to how that would cause such an issue? The date and time of the image files hasn't changed since January. 

By @cirjakvoja

I remember having this problem very long time ago.

I'll just speculate - you don't have set in the system "correct" time zone / auto switch between summer and winter time - so system is not reporting correctly date&time of the files but InDesign is expecting them to be "updated".

[cirjakvoja]

My PC automatically switches betwee summer and winter time, so I am unsure what I can change to solve the problem. Are you suggesting me to roll back my time by an hour? 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Are you suggesting me to roll back my time by an hour? 

By @cirjakvoja

Don't know... not sure how InDesign will react...