Problem when renaming iPhoto Library

I recently renamed two iPhoto Libraries. A day later I plugged in my external HDD to do a Time Machine (TM) backup and noticed that TM deleted ALL my previous backups except the last one, stating there was not enough space.
My conclusion is that renaming these libraries caused TM to see them as NEW libraries and wanted to back them up all over again, meaning I needed 40GB of space rather than the 15GB available and let to the deletion of all my previous backups (without warning)!
I have posted about this in the TM forum, but decided to mention it here as well to warn others of this potential problem.

problem when copying iphoto library from ext hd to ext hd. stops after 2 gb saying there was data with same name on target hd. but that one is brandnew and freshly formatted.
How are your external HDs formatted? Both need to be formatted MacOS Extended (Journaled, not case sensitive) to work with iPhoto.
If the file system differ, you may have problems with ambitious filenames, for example, if one drive is case sensitive and the other not.

Similar Messages

Hitting a problem when transferring iPhoto library to External Hard Drive.

Hi
I am running a 3 year old MacBook with iPhoto 08, my hard drive is nearly full mainly with photos so I have just purchased a G-Drive Hitachi 500GB external hard drive, with a view to storing my iPhoto library thus enabling me to create some space on the computer hard drive.
I did some online research and transferred my iPhoto library as follows:-
I quit iPhoto and went into my pictures folder, located by iPhoto library file and dragged it to my external hard drive, after it had copied I went back into my pictures folder and re-named the original library 'iPhoto Library.Old', I then opened iPhoto by holding down the 'alt' key and was given the prompt to choose a library to open, I selected 'iPhoto Library.Old' from the pane and my pictures loaded up.
This is when I came across a problem, I was under the impression that once the library had been transferred the the EHD in this way that the pictures/events on the EHD would remain in place. I deleted a few of my events on my computer HD, but when I checked the EHD they had vanished from there too.
No photos are lost as I have them all backed up to CD, on line albums etc, but I am puzzled as to what I am doing wrong and how I get the photos on the EHD to stay put.
My Time Machine automatic updates are off, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I seem to have hit a brick wall with this one.
Thanks
Ruth

Hi Terence
I have just opened the internal iphoto library to delete some photos, without the EHD being attached, when I plug in the EHD and open the iphoto library from there the pictures that I have just deleted on the internal library have gone from the EHD. I am obviously doing something wrong but I cannot fathom out what. My internal library has a different name ie 'iPhoto Library.Old' but both internal and external libraries seem to be still acting as one.
I hope I'm making sense ?
Regards
Ruth

Error -36 when moving iphoto library to ehd

I want to copy my iphoto library to my eHD to free up space on my laptop. but it stops part the way through and gives an error.
Iphoto library first aid did not cure the problem. or using iphoto library manager.
I have managed to extract the photos using ILM. but i also want to move over
all the photo details as well.Any ideas? Iphoto seems to work fine on my macbook pro 3,1
with no problems or errors.

I found a fast soution 45 Gb Library copied in ~30 min. over USB 2.0 - first I rebuilt the library with iPhoto Library Manager and it still wouldn't drag and drop, took forever and errored out.
I did a semi-manual copy, by opening the iPhoto Library - "Show package contents" (in right click menu) then copying the contents to a new iPhoto libaray "Package"
Instead of copying all at once copy the small files/folders in one batch, wati to complete, then copy the larger files folders. You can copy the package contents one folder at a time or a few at a time. I found that copying the Library files in one batch, then copying the Masters, Previews, & Thumbnails in a second batch seemed to work well without choking up.
Here's the steps
Connect your hard drive or Mac in Target disk mode
navigate to the folder containing the iPhoto Library you wish to copy
'Right click'Show Package Contents
You'll see apx 19 files - select all but exclude 3 folders: Masters, Previews, &Thumbnails you'll come back for theses later
Copy these files to an empty folder on your destination drive/Mac (Later you'll use iPhoto to make a new libary "Package" then you'll put these files inside it) The copy should take a few minutes, high volume + tiny files
When the first copy is finished, go back and copy the remaining 3 folders Masters, Previews, & Thumbnails. This is the opposite as previous step, lower volume + larger files. Copy speeds should be normal ie 30 min. for 45 Gb over USB 2.0.
Once all these files and folders are copied you need to put them into an empty iPhoto Library container. An easy way to do this is
Launch iPhoto holding the Option key
Choose 'New Library' (choose an apprpriate name)
Quit iPhoto
in Finder go to the new Library you just created (User/Pictures/) - be sure its the one you just made
Right Click (Control + Click) the iPhoto Libraray
Choose - Show Package Contents (now you're looking at the contents that makup an iPhoto library)
Select all these files and folders and delete them to the trashOpen the folder that has your freshly copied files and put them in this empty iPhoto Library package.
Close finder windows (disconnect your hard drive or Mac)
Launch iPhoto (you can hold the Option Key while launching iPhoto to choose the correct Library if you have more than one).
Viola. You should have a functional copy from your old Mac/External hard drive.
REMEMBER!
The easiest way to mess up your iPhoto Library is to move things around inside the "Package contents" of your iPhoto Library. Its hidden in there for a reason, so don't go mucking about under the hood. Best practice is to touch nothing inside the "Show Package Contetns" of your iPhoto library. As described above, we're merely just speeding up a file transfer and copying files so they mirror their source in a new destination. Good luck.

Serious System Problems. Pictures and Documents folders are opening iPhoto when clicked. iPhoto Library gone.

I have been speaking to Old Toad for the majority of today trying to fix my iPhoto Library as its become corrupt and I cannot get my photos/videos back into iPhoto. After many many suggestions I seem to have created some serious system problems.
PLEASE READ ALL OF THIS THREAD...
https://discussions.apple.com/message/21742033#21742033
If anybody can be of assisatance that would be a great help.
I am a mac dummie, recently transfered so foolproof guidance will be helpfull!
(Unfortunatly.. and now I know the importance, I haven't used time-machine and my mac isn't backed up. If i restore to factory settings I will loose the 600+ photos and videos I had in my iPhoto Library.... which dissapeared, which is the whole reason why I created the first thread)
Thank you!!

Linc:
It appeared to me that somehow the OP's Picture folder was converted into an iPhoto Library as his screenshot of the PIctures folder looked like the inside of a library.
This statement by the OP make me think it might be more than just an iPhoto issue (the bold text):
I am unable to drag the Picture folder to the desktop, It wont move, and iPhoto (which is still empty) just opens.
Some how the same is happening with Documents,
OT

Problems while restoring iPhoto library with Time machine

Hello,
I've had some problems in iPhoto 11 for a while. Pics being removed or altered in different ways.
I then decided to restore my iPhoto library to an earlier date using Time machine. I used a one week old backup and after 2 hours or so when it was done, no pictures in the folder anymore! I panicked and restored once again, this time on the whole "Pictures" folder. Now i cannot even open the folder, i get this message - "The folder “Pictures” can’t be opened because you don’t have permission to see its contents."
I am the system administrator.. ive checked the "get info" option and made sure that all users can "read and write" in the folder.
When I try to restore the Pictures folder again i get a message telling me that it cannot be restored because the folder is being used... even if i dont use it!
I really need help to solve this... 60Gb pictures are gone
Please help me! What can i do? Is there any way to do a complete system restore for 1 week so i get rid of these problems? Or what would be the best and easiest fix?
Sorry if i placed this thread in the wrong place, but i think there are multiple problems that belong in different areas...

First ry the following on the library:
1 - delete the iPhoto preference file, com.apple.iPhoto.plist, that resides in your
User/Home/Library/ Preferences folder.
2 - delete the contents the following folder:
User/Library/Containers/com.apple.iPhoto
3 - reboot, launch iPhoto and try again.
NOTE: For Mavericks, 10.9, go to your Home folder and use the View ➙ Show View Options menu to bring the this window:
where you can check the Show Library Folder checkbox.
If there's no improvement continue with: Try the following:
1 - launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys held down to open the First Aid window.
2 - Run Option #4, Rebuild Database, and if needed Option #1 and Option #2.

TD or Old Toad pls help: Renamed iPhoto Library File....no pics in iPhoto6

I am working on my parents computer... they have iPhoto 6 and I renamed the iPhoto Library folder in Finder. Obviously this is not a good idea since now there is no content (pics) in iPhoto.
This action made a new folder (with the new name) in Finder's 'pictures' file. So, I tried to copy and paste (or maybe I highlighted & moved it, can't recall) the contents of the newly named folder back under the 'iphoto library' folder however, that did not make the photos reappear in iPhoto.
After moving (I think I highlighted & dragged) the file contents of the newly named folder back in the 'iPhoto Library' folder, I deleted the newly named/created file.
The individual pics seem to be in the modified & originalsfolder but I do not know how to get them back into iPhoto..
I attempted to rebuild the iPhoto library but it seemed like an empty request since the computer didnt do anything when this option was selected.
I know there is a solution but I dont know the smartest nextstep. I have read related discussions that almost provide a solution.
Currently, I need to figure out a way to:
1) get what seems to still exist in the modified & original folders back into iPhoto even if it means loosing album names, keywords. I am hoping this route doesn’t wipe out dates from when the images were taken. If there is a way to get them back into iPhoto this route, I need instructions.
or,
2) I have a back up of the entire HD on an external HD. Would itbe best to somehow use that to replace what I have on the computer HD? I do not know how to do this so for sure need guidance.
or,
3) Find another solution, quickly…
Thank you so very much as I need to fix this ASAP.

See my reply in your other thread.
Regards
TD

Problem with imported iphoto library

I imported my photo library from an older mac, all photos are there, but when I click on anyone to blow it up I get a giant exclamation mark and no photo. thumbnails are there, but can't view photos. Some permissions problem? Thanks
Patrick

It is odd because the photo is visible for an instant before the ! shows up.
That's just a cached image.
Alternative:
Option 1
Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Rebuild iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup.
If that fails:
Option 2
Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. This will create a new library based on data in the albumdata.xml file. Not everything will be brought over - no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your albums and keywords, faces and places back.
Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one.
Regards
TD

Error when copying iPhoto Library to new computer

Hello! I just got a MacBook Pro and I am trying to transfer my old iPhoto library (Macbook) to my new computer. I followed the suggestions on this forum to copy my iPhoto Library from my Pictures folder to my new computer. It gave me an error/warning message: "One or more items can’t be copied to “Desktop” because you don’t have permission to read them. Do you want to copy the items you are allowed to read?" I said yes, and it copied about 15G of my 17G iPhoto library. Then when I opened iPhoto most of my photos were there, except the movies from my iPhone and many (but not necessarily all) modified pictures taken from my iPhone (most often pictures that were taken landscape). The thumbnails are there, but the actual files weren't transferred, so I get the big exclamation mark.
I have now deleted the iPhoto Library folder that was only partially transferred due to the permissions and I would like to start over. Why do I not have "permission to read" certain files? I am doing the transfer via file sharing wirelessly. I have the whole HD set to be read/write by my mobileme alias. As a side note, I tried to just select the iPhoto Library for sharing but it wouldn't allow that, so I selected the whole HD.
Thanks in advance for any help!
Message was edited by: kathleen.black

kathleen.black wrote:
Didn't make a difference It still says I don't have permission for some of the files. But I'm glad I got the disk repaired.
The old computer is running iPhoto '09, could that be part of the problem? We have a family pack of iLife '11 at work so right now I'm installing iPhoto '11.
Do you think that will help? Any other suggestions?
I would backup of course and try to update the iLife 09 to '11 and see if that works. I think I recall some changes in the iPhoto database from '09 to '11.
Best of Luck!
Thanks!

Pics in iPhoto Disappeared after renaming iPhoto Library File in Finder

Friends,
I was working on my parents computer in an effort to help them organize their files, etc.
They have iPhoto 6 and I renamed the iPhoto Library folder in Finder. Obviously this is not a good idea since now there is no content (pictures) in iPhoto.
This action made a new folder (with the new name) in Finder's 'pictures' section. So, I tried to copy and paste (or maybe I dragged it, cant recall) the contents of the newly named folder back under the 'iphoto library' folder however, that did not make the photos reappear in iPhoto.
After moving (I think I highlighted & dragged) the file contents of the newly named folder back in the 'iPhoto Library' folder, I deleted the newly named/created file.
It appears as though the images are still in the original & modified folders however, no pics in iPhoto.
And, the irony of the entire action is that I was renaming the 'iPhoto Library' folder to 'iPhoto Library - Do Not Touch' so my parents would not mess with the content as they have done in the past. Apparently, I am the one who needs to stay away.
Thanks a bunch!

Thanks Badunit, and yes, you are correct about not having the newly named library to choose when holding down the Option key while opening iPhoto.....b/c I drug the contents back under the original iPhoto library folder and then deleted the newly name folder.
The individual pics seem to be in the modified & originals folder but I do not know how to get them back into iPhoto. Importing one by one doesnt seem like the correct option.
I attempted to rebuild the iPhoto library but that resulted in nothing happening when I choose that option.
I know there is a solution but I dont know the smartest next step. I have read related discussions that almost provide a solution.
Currently, I need to figure out a way to:
1) get what seems to still exist in the modified & original folders back into iPhoto even if it means loosing albums, keywords. I am hoping this route doesnt wipe out dates that the images were taken. If there is a way to get them back into iPhoto this route, I need instructions.
or,
2) I have a back up of the entire HD on an external HD. Would it be best to somehow use that to replace what I have on the computer HD? I do not know how to do this so for sure need guidance.
Help! I need to get this fixed today (i.e. father is getting an iPad for retirement at a big reception and I need the computer in working order to make it all happen so he has pics on the iPad to display at the event). I think I may have to page TD or Old Toad....
Thanks friends!!

Problem with rebuilding iPhoto library

Hi,
I'm having problem to rebuild my iPhoto library. I have more than 11 000 photos / video clips and 70Gbs in my iPhoto library and everything has been ok until I started to import photos from my new iPhone 4. First issue was that when I imported photos from iPhone those new photos disappeared after restart of iPhoto. I read from somewhere that iPhoto library rebuild -functions might help and I rebuild the library and thumbnails. It actually worked for that problem. After that those photos which I imported from iPhone remained in iPhoto and I even got some disappeared photos back. But after that rebuilt I noticed that most of the video clips could not be opened inside iPhoto. When clicking thumbnail of a video clip just a big exclamation mark jumped up. I checked from iPhoto library originals -folder that those video clips still remain. From there I can open the clips in Quicktime Player. So, I tried to rebuild my library again. Rebuilding started ok, it went smoothly up to 65% but ceased there. Now it has been in that 65% -condition for 24 hours and I don't know what to do. I don't know if it's still actually doing something or not. "Force to quit" -function does not say that iPhoto is not answering and "System Monitoring" shows that there are still some messages going on in iPhoto -process. I don't know should I force iPhoto to quit or just wait another 24 hours...
Any advices what I should do and how I can get my video clip viewing back to iPhoto?
Computer is iMac 2006 with OS 10.6.8 and iPhoto is version 9.1.5. I have both Quicktime players (7 and 10) installed.
BR,
Osku from Finland

If the rebuild doesn't help try Fix 101: make a temporary, backup copy of the library if you don't already have a backup copy and try the following:
1 - delete the iPhoto preference file, com.apple.iPhoto.plist, that resides in your
User/Home()/Library/ Preferences folder.
2 - delete iPhoto's cache file, Cache.db, that is located in your
User/Home()/Library/Caches/com.apple.iPhoto folder.
3 - launch iPhoto and try again.
NOTE: If you're moved your library from its default location in your Home/Pictures folder you will have to point iPhoto to its new location when you next open iPhoto by holding down the Option key when launching iPhoto. You'll also have to reset the iPhoto's various preferences.
OT

MobileMe Galleries orphaned when importing Iphoto library into Aperture 3

Can anyone advise how I can get my existing MobileMe galleries to be listed into A3. They were uploaded via Iphoto and I imported that library into A3 but the MM galleries are not there. Obviously I have filled in the appropriate boxes etc in preferences.

1) Log in to MobileMe via the web at www.me.com.
2) Click on the PHOTOS icon along the top toolbar.
3) Click the "Gear" button and select the option for "New Album".
4) Give the album title a dummy name like "Aperture Link Dummy" and under the "Syncs with:" selection, choose "Aperture".
5) Once this new album is created, you can now click on each individual MobileMe gallery that you wish to sync with Aperture and the "Lightswitch" button for "Album Settings" will now have the option to "Sync with: Aperture" as well.
6) After making the necessary Album Settings changes for those that you wish to sync with MobileMe, return to your Aperture program and go to PREFERENCES --> WEB.
7) Under the option "Check for new published photos:", select one of the options OTHER than "Automatically" and the "Check Now" button next to it should become clickable.
8) Click "Check Now" and you should immediately see Aperture add a "MOBILEME GALLERY" heading under the Library pane and will begin to import your MobileMe galleries.
This is about as far I've gotten with getting my existing MobileMe galleries into Aperture. Unfortunately, now the problem is that they are no longer linked to their respective albums/events. When in iPhoto, if I made edits to the album/events, the MobileMe gallery would automatically be updated with those changes. I assume this behavior is the same for new galleries created from within Aperture, but it does not seem to affect those galleries that were imported from iPhoto. Let me know if you get anywhere with this issue.

Photos are lost after renaming iPhoto Library

I changed the name of my iPhoto Library from the Finder, and now I can no longer find the photos in those libraries. There are no "Modified" or "Original" directories with sub-directories of the photos any more. I've also tried an application called "iPhoto Library Manager", and it couldn't find the photos either.
Could renaming the directory change its content and cause the photos to be deleted? Or have they just been moved?
Is there any way to get the photos back?

Thank you.
But when I do that, I get a screen that lists my current library. I click on "Other Library" and get a window which shows all the sub-directories of my Pictures directory. If I click on one of the other iPhoto Libraries, it just opens that sub-directory and asks me to select a file. There are directories "Before Restore" and "Metadata Backup" and some files which are greyed out. I go into those directories and some more greyed out files show up. Nothing that could be selected. What should I do?

Problem of opening iphoto library in other softwares

Hello,
As it is said in the title, i can't open the iPhoto library (i'm using iphoto 6.0.6 with os X 10.5.2) in other softwares, i mean, the photo viewer in mail, the photo viewer in iMovie, and also the photo viewer in the finder (datas file), when you want to download something on the web. But for example on data file, i can see the music, i can see the sequences also. The only thing i can't see is the photos from iPhotos.
I have to say, without that problem my iphoto is working totaly normaly, i don't have any problem.
I didn't found any support on the web or on the mac website, so i'm afraid i'm the only one having this problem.
Can you help me ?

Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. This will create a new library based on data in the albumdata.xml file. Not everything will be brought over - no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your albums and keywords back.
Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one.
Regards
TD

Screensaver configuration problem with lost iPhoto library

Hi, I justed switched my macbook and I used to have another iPhoto library in an external HD that is now gone. I cannot configure the screensaver, I think it searches for my lost iPhoto library and cannot select my current pictures. Can someone help me with this problem? Thanks.

If the rebuild doesn't help try Fix 101: make a temporary, backup copy of the library if you don't already have a backup copy and try the following:
1 - delete the iPhoto preference file, com.apple.iPhoto.plist, that resides in your
User/Home()/Library/ Preferences folder.
2 - delete iPhoto's cache file, Cache.db, that is located in your
User/Home()/Library/Caches/com.apple.iPhoto folder.
3 - launch iPhoto and try again.
NOTE: If you're moved your library from its default location in your Home/Pictures folder you will have to point iPhoto to its new location when you next open iPhoto by holding down the Option key when launching iPhoto. You'll also have to reset the iPhoto's various preferences.
OT

Problem importing old iphoto library into new computer

SO I ORIGIONALLY WROTE THIS TOPIC:
"Ok so I just bought a new macbook pro with iphoto 08 and i want to transfer my pictures from my old Imac with im guessing iphoto 06 and all the albums to my new computer. How do i do this. I tried it once but i did it wrong because i only got the pictures over there but no albums so i deleted them on the new computer and am ready to try again"
THEN I GOT THIS RESPONSE:
Quit iPhoto, copy the entire iPhoto library as a single entity from the old computer into the pictures folder on the new computer and launch iPhoto on the new computer - it will convert (a one way conversion) the library as needed and you will be set.
SO I DID THAT AND THE PHOTOS ARE THERE ON THE HARD DRIVE BUT WHEN I OPEN IPHOTO THERE IS NOTHING THERE
PLEASE HELP

Nick:
Have you checked the size of the copied library to make sure it's a valid one. To be sure you're opening the correct library launch iPhoto with the Option key depressed and, when asked, select the option to choose a library. Navigate to your pictures folder and select the library to copied over from your old iMac.
If your sure that's the library from the old iMac and it doesn't indicate any photos try the following in order as needed:
1 - launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys depressed and follow the instructions to rebuild the library. Select all options.
2 - rebuild the library using iPhoto Library Manager as follows:
Using iPhoto Library Manager to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
1 -Download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
2 -Click on the Add Library button, navigate to your User/Pictures folder and select your iPhoto Library folder.
3 - Now that the library is listed in the left hand pane of iPLM, click on your library and go to the File->Rebuild Library menu option
4 - In the next window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed.
5 - Click on the Create button.
Note: It may take some time to create the new library if you have a lot of photos.
3 - start over with a new library and import the Originals folder from your original library as follows:
Creating a new library while preserving the Events from the original library.
Move the existing library folder to the desktop.
Open the library package like this.
Launch iPhoto and, when asked, select the option to create a new library.
Drag the Originals folder from the iPhoto Library on the desktop into the open Photo window
This will create a new library with the same Events as the original library if you have the Finder checkbox unchecked in the Events preference pane.
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto (iPhoto.Library for iPhoto 5 and earlier) database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
I've created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger or later), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. It's compatible with iPhoto 6 and 7 libraries and Tiger and Leopard. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

Problem when renaming iPhoto Library

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for