IPhoto 09 can't open my photo library

I've just installed iPhoto 09 on my Mac Mini. When I open iPhoto, I get prompted to upgrade my photo library: "The photo library needs to be upgraded…"
I click Upgrade and immediately get a dialog box saying, "There is a problem accessing one or more files in your iPhoto library. Do you want iPhoto to repair permissions for this library for you?"
Mild concern at this, but I've got a backup of the library, so I click Repair. Almost immediately I get another dialog box: "iPhoto was unable to repair permissions for the library." The only available options is Quit.
I store my iPhoto library on my ReadyNAS NV+, using AFP. I know from the many posts on here that storing photos on a NAS is not recommended, etc. I didn't discover that until after installation - I'd never questioned it. I don't have space on the Mini to install the library locally: it's almost 30GB and over 10k photos.
I can still open the iPhoto library successfully using my MacBook which I have thankfully not upgraded to 09. However this doesn't work as a long-term solution for me.
I've bought software that won't work. I don't have Time Machine running yet so I don't see an easy way to revert to iPhoto 06. Any suggestions more than welcome…

Hey Healthily,
I fixed it! After months of not being able to upgrade and not being able to figure it out. Here's what I did:
Step 0. Watch the log in Console and you should see that it fails after a message similar to cannot lstat such and such a file. That file, in my case, was a .afpDeleteXXXXX file (where XXXXX was a string of five digits). Deleting the file from Terminal on the Mac *did not fix things* - the file seemed to stay around even though it no longer appeared with a `ls -al` in Terminal.
Step 1. On the ReadyNAS, install the ToggleSSH and EnableRootSSH add-ons.
Step 2. SSH into your ReadyNAS from Terminal. The command, if you don't know, is ssh [email protected] (or whatever your NAS' IP address is). Your password will be the same as the Frontview login.
Step 3. cd (change directory) into the directory containing the problem file.
Step 4. rm (remove) the file. I actually removed several similar files with the command: rm afpDelete - Strangely, the filename here appeared to start with ":e2" instead of a period.
Step 5. Launch iPhoto again, click through the familiar-by-now prompt to Upgrade. This time, it should work. At least it did for me finally - ymmv, but I hope it works for you too!
Dave

Similar Messages

Can't open my photo library after upgrading to iPhoto 11. is it possible to load iPhoto 9.0.1 after loading 11? have followed all other instructions but it still won't let me open iPhoto.

can't open my photo library after upgrading to iphoto 11. Is it possible to download iphoto 9.0.1 after installing '11. Have followed all the other instructions and am in a loop which doesn't allow me to access iphoto or my photos.

when iphoto wouldnt open we read the trouble shooting info and it said that we may have needed to download 9.0.1 if we had an older version. We obviously didn't download it before the upgrade and wondered if it would cause problems or indeed solve the problem if we downloaded it now!
When we try to open iphoto is says:
To open your library with this version of iphoto it first needs to be prepared
To prepare the library use the iphoto library upgrader available from Apple.
We have downloaded this twice now and it still sends us this message when we try to open iphoto.

Iphoto can't find my photo library. What should I do?

Iphoto can't find my photo library. WHat should I do?

Tell it where is it - depress and hold the option key while launching iPhooto and use the select ibraray window to tell iPhtoo where you library is
LN

Can't open current photo library using this version of iPhoto 7.1.5

I have recently had to perform a disk repair due to the disk image not mounting. In this process I completed a full backup of my home folder and verify/repair/format of my harddrive. At this time I also added 4G RAM bringing the MacBook up to 5G RAM.
Since the reinstallation of 10.7.5 (Which took about 18hrs) I have none of the iLife package. I have reinstalled from the original disk that I recieved on initial purchase back in 2008. After installation I ran the software update and have updated everything (iTunes, iPhoto etc) I have been able to import all data from my backup via a simple drag & drop. I am now unable to open my iPhoto library (file size 105.43G). I have searched many forums and have been unable to find a solution that is suitable (rebuild library) because as soon as I launch this option it brings up the following message:
You can’t open your current photo library using this version of iPhoto. You have made changes to your photo library using a newer version of iPhoto. Please quit and use the latest version of iPhoto.
After this I must quit the application. What am I missing? I'm sure it is something quite simple... I'm hoping it is as easy as it was to find the recoveryHD during the reformat of the disk.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, Cheers.

It sounds like a damaged library. Try the 2 fixes below in order as needed:
Fix #1
Launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys depressed and follow the instructions to rebuild the library. Select the last three options.
Fix #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: This creates a new library based on the LIbraryData.xml file in the library and will recover Events, Albums, keywords, titles and comments but not books, calendars or slideshows. The original library will be untouched for further attempts at fixing or in case the rebuilt library is not satisfactory.

Can't open current photo library using this version of iPhoto... HELP

Is anybody out there that can hlep me. I have bee ntrying to import pictures of my canon but I keep getting this error message....
"you can't open your current photo library using this version of iPhoto. You have made changes to your photo library using a newer version of iPhoto. Please quit and use the latest version of iPhoto."
Here is the thing... I have never imported pictures yet on this program. If I check for updates it tells me I am current on all updates. Any suggestions??
Thanks

OK, first you need to create an iPhoto Library folder that's compatible with your version of iPhoto -- drag the existing iPhoto Library folder from your Pictures folder to the desktop. Launch iPhoto and choose "Create New..." from the dialog that's presented. Quit iPhoto when you see the new empty library view.
Next, you're going to plop the incompatible iPhoto Library into the newly created iPhoto Library folder. In a Finder view, drag the iPhoto Library folder that was moved to the desktop INTO the newly created iPhoto Library folder in your Pictures folder (you want to have your old iPhoto Library folder inside your newly-created iPhoto Library folder).
Finally, you're going to rebuild the library database. Start iPhoto while holding the option+shift keys. Don't release them until you're prompted to confirm the rebuild intent. Click "Yes", then click "Save".
After you've verified that iPhoto is again functional, you'll find two iPhoto Library folders in your Pictures folder. The rebuilt library will have a "_1" at the end of the folder's name. The other one (the 'Library within a Library") can be moved to the trash if the rebuild is satisfactory.

Can't open current photo library " using this version of iPhoto"

"You have made changes to your photo library using a newer version of iPhoto. Please quit and use the latest version of iPhoto."
Got a surprise today. My husband used his new Mac with Ilife9 to reach into the network and get the iphoto library on my machine. I have no idea what he did to make my files convert to a new format, but converted they are.
How can I get them back exactly the way they were without updating my software.
Can he export them, or I import them, somehow, to replace the my "changed" files into files my version of iphoto can open?
His iphoto library (taken from me) would be identical to the one I have that won't open with my version of Iphoto.
Any tricks to restore my pics and the peace of my home?

"You have made changes to your photo library using a newer version of iPhoto. Please quit and use the latest version of iPhoto."
Got a surprise today. My husband used his new Mac with Ilife9 to reach into the network and get the iphoto library on my machine. I have no idea what he did to make my files convert to a new format, but converted they are.
He opened your iPhoto library and approved the upgrade after being notified that it was non reversible - If he wanted a copy of your iPhoto library then he should have copied it to his computer leaving yours alone and then opened the copy on his computer converting it there
How can I get them back exactly the way they were without updating my software.
Load your backup - the conversion is not reversible
Can he export them, or I import them, somehow, to replace the my "changed" files into files my version of iphoto can open?
His iphoto library (taken from me) would be identical to the one I have that won't open with my version of Iphoto.
Any tricks to restore my pics and the peace of my home?
If you do not have a backup then your choices are to upgrade your computer to iPhoto '09 or to start over with your original photos losing all edits, keywords, albums,etc -- to do this quit iPhoto on your computer and drag the iPhoto library to the desktop - launch iPhoto and be sure that the iPhoto preference to "split items imported from the finder into events" is NOT checked and create a new library and open the iPhoto library on the desktop and go to the originals folder and drag each folder in it onto iphoto - this will recreate yoru events with the original photos
LN

When I Open Iphoto it tells me that it can not open current photo library using this version of iphoto. Any help on what I can do to fix this without loosing all my previous photos?

For some reason I tried to open Iphoto and it keeps giving me an error message that It can not open my current photo library.
It says "You can't open your current photo library using this version of Iphoto.
You have made changes to your photo library using a newer version of Iphoto. Do you want to quit and use the latest version of Iphoto, or do you want
to create a new photo library?"
I tried updating the software and didn't do nothing for me.
Anyone have a solution to this problem, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks.

Ok, here is what I would do for that situation. I would back up all your photos on a memory stick, then create a new photo library and re-upload all the photos to the new library. If iphoto wont let you even copy your photos, you should just schedule an appointment at the genius bar. This has never happened to me, but if it did this is what I would be attempting.

"Can't open current photo library"

I've been in the process of updating some very old iPhoto libraries from 2003 for iPhoto 9. The process has been working OK, until I installed the new 9.1.1 update. Now, when I try to open the library, I get a message that says "You can't open your current photo library with this version of iPhoto." and "This library must be upgraded by the iPhoto Library Upgrader application before you can use it with iPhoto. Please reinstall iPhoto from your iLife disc."
So, I need to downgrade to get the Library Upgrader to work?

I tried your above solution, but have ended up with one giant library and zero albums which I had used to organize my photos. I'd like to try another solution. Is their any way to "upgrade my library" as the dialogue box suggests? I only received two installation discs and neither of them seems to have the i-life applications as a separate file to re-install, so I don't know where I'm supposed to be able to get this mysterious "i-photo Library Upgrader." Any ideas? The only iphoto version that I seem to have is 9.1.1

Why i can't open crrent photo library using current version, why i can't open current photo library using current version

I receive msg when i try to ope iPhoto. "you can't open your crrent photo library using this version of iPhoto. Question, what do I do to resolve this dilemma?
Probable has something to do with install of '09 iLife which was installed, but I need to know how to resolve, since I don't want to lose current photos.

Have you opened the Library with a later version?
If not:
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 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

IPhoto can´t open most of my photos, Why???

Hi, my iPhoto can´t open my photos, and neither the tumbails, what can I do???

We'll need a little more info from you before we can speculate. We can't see your monitor so have no idea what's going on except what you tell us. What version of iPhoto and system are you running? What exactly do you see when you open iPhoto. Have you tired any fixes and, if so, what were they?
OT

I just backed up my photos by copying my iPhoto Library onto an external drive. Now the Library on my MacBook won't open. I can only open the photos if the external is plugged in. How can I resolve this issue?

I just backed up my photos by copying my iPhoto Library onto an external drive. Now the Library on my MacBook won't open. I can only open the photos if the external is plugged in. How can I resolve this issue?

Exactly what did you do?
The correct steps are
Moving the iPhoto library is safe and simple - quit iPhoto and drag the iPhoto library intact as a single entity to the external drive - depress the option key and launch iPhoto using the "select library" option to point to the new location on the external drive - fully test it and then trash the old library on the internal drive (test one more time prior to emptying the trash)
And be sure that the External drive is formatted Mac OS extended (journaled) (iPhoto does not work with drives with other formats) and that it is always available prior to launching iPhoto
And backup soon and often - having your iPhoto library on an external drive is not a backup and if you are using Time Machine you need to check and be sure that TM is backing up your external drive
My guess is that that you have not switched iphoto to use the external drive yet - opttion launch and select libary
LN

When trying to open iPhoto the computer says: 'The photo library needs to be upgraded to work with this version of iPhoto.' So I click 'upgrade' Then it says: 'You can't open your current photo library using this version of iPhoto.' Etcetera...

When trying to open iPhoto the computer says:
‘The photo library needs to be upgraded to work with this version of iPhoto.’
So I click ‘upgrade’
Then it says: ‘You can’t open your current photo library using this version of iPhoto.’
Etcetera...
What to do??
Theo

Is your Apple Intel-based, poppelmacbook? If not, you should consider treating yourself to a new Mac. Last December I gave up my old because it just could not update...anything because it was not Intel-based. Updating everything on this OS to 10.9 has been confusing for me, but I just could not work with that old Mac because the updates were too smart? for my 10.6. It is upstairs now...for visiting family: games, garage band, etc.--things I never did use. Apple refurbished and purchase the extended warranty. Apple loyalist since late 1980's.

I can't open iPhoto. Message reads "Your Photo Library is either in use by another application or has become unreadable".

I can't open iPhoto. Message reads "Your Photo Library is either in use by another application or has become unreadable".

Try the following:
1 - launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys held down to open the First Aid window. Be sure to follow the circled recommendation in the screenshot.
2 - run Option #4, Rebuild Database.

Hi when I open iPhoto it's says "What photo library do you want to use" Have I lost all my photos? I don't know what to do here can anyone help please?

Hi when I open iPhoto it's says "What photo library do you want to use" Have I lost all my photos? I don't know what to do here can anyone help please?

Is there an item named "iPhoto Library.photo library" or similar in your "Pictures" folder, showing with an icon like a fan of pictures?
Or did you store your iPhoto Library in a different folder, perhaps on an external drive?
if you cannot find your iPhoto Library search for it with Find Any File, as described by Old Toad in this post:
Re: My iphoto library has disappeared. How do I find it?
Old ToadFeb 4, 2014 9:05 PM
Re: My iphoto library has disappeared. How do I find it?in response to onpurpose
Download and use Find Any File to search for a file named "iPhoto6.Library". It's a file unique to all iPhoto libraries.
FAF an search areas that Spotlight can't like invisible folders, packages and system files. If there's another iPhoto library hiding somewhere on your hard drive FAF will find it.
OT

I have a G5 mac using ver 10.4.11 and a newer mac using ver 10.8.4 these are networked. using the new mac i looked up my my photo on the old mac. It then said you need to upgrade your library which it did. Now the old mac can not open the photos

I have a G5 mac using ver 10.4.11 and a newer mac using ver 10.8.4 these are networked. using the new mac i looked up my my photo on the old mac. It then said you need to upgrade your library which it did. Now the old mac can not open the photos and say that I need to upgrade my I photo to a newer version. The old mac has no more support from apple in software update so I am not sure where I should go from here. can I use new soft ware with the old mac

The other part of the upgrade message was a warning that once you upgraded you would no longer be able to open the library with the old version which is exaclty what you did and what happened when you choose to continue
The iphoto library needs to be upgraded to work with this version of iPhoto. Your photo library will not be readable by previous versions of iphoto after the upgrade. The upgrade process may take several minutes depending on the number of photos in the library. Cancel or upgrade.
So now your choices are to not use iPhoto with the previous version using it onky with the newer version, restore your backup from before you did this upgrade or purchase iPhoto Library Manager and use it to rebuild the library using the older version of iPhoto (instructions are on their web site) thereby downgrading it (without projects)
LN

IPhoto 09 can't open my photo library

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for