Transfering iPhoto library to External Harddrive

I am trying to transfer my iPhoto library to my External Harddrive, but it says it is going to take one day. I dont feel like USB 3.0 should take one day to transfer 50gb of pictures... Any fix to this problem?

Ignore it
The finder is a very poor estimated of time - it will change radically as it progresses - and however long it takes is how ling it takes - there is no way to change that
Is the external drive formatted Mac OS Extended (journaled)? - to use the iPhoto library it must be that format
LN

Similar Messages

  • Transfer iphoto library to external harddrive. Best practice?

    Need to transfer iphoto library to external harddrive due to space issues. Best practice?

    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
    LN

  • 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

  • Transferring iPhoto Library to External Drive/Time Machine

    Hi LarryHN and Terrence Devlin (and any others who can answer my questions);
    I have successfully transferred my iPhoto Library for the first time to an new external drive (thank you LarryHN and Terrence Devlin for your awesome threads). Would I be able to do this again when my iPhoto Library on my laptop requires another transer without changing the first transfer?
    However, another part of LarryHN's thread is that the iPhoto Library transfer to an external drive is not a back up, why is it not considered a back up? I am trying to utilize Time Machine (also for the first time) but they are recommending I use an external drive with nothing on it (as they would be wiped out). Luckily I haven't wiped out my iPhoto Library on my laptop and am willing to re-do that after I set up Time Machine.
    I appreciate your recommendations!

    If you're running the library on the EHD as your working library then it's not a backup, it's your working copy. 
    To have a backup you must have two copies of the the working library on different hard drive.  so to use Time Machine you need a dedicated HD just for it.  When set up TM will backup your MB Air hard drive and any other EHD connected to it. 
    If you need to run your library from an EHD because your MBA doesn't have enought room and you want to use TM to backup your files including the iPhoto Library you'll need to have 2 EHDs. 
    So where do you want to run the library: on your MBA or on the EHD?
    If you intend to run the library on your MBA make sure it's up to date and then reformat the EHD as OS X Extended (journaled) with Disk Utility. Connect it to the MBA and launch TM.  It will ask if you want to use that drive for you backup and click yes. From there it's automatic.  The first backup will take a while so have your MBA plugged in to a power outlet and let TM do it's thing. 
    This website has the best information on TM available: Apple  OSX  and  Time  Machine  Tips
    An alternate solution would be to use a backup application that can make incremental backups like Synk Pro.  It will copy only those new or modified files from your working library to the backup copy on the EHD. I use it and have it configured to do the copy as soon as I quit out of iPhoto to keep the writing to disk at a minimum. Synk Pro will backup any selected file or folder you select so it doesn't have to be the entire hard drive if you don't want it. Personally I think TM would be a better solution for you as it will backup other files that may be important to you, i.e. music, documents, movies, etc.
    OT

  • Not able to access my iPhoto library from external harddrive

    I get this message when I attempt to access my iphoto Library from my LeCie external hard drive.  "Your photo library is either in use by another application or has become unreadable. Shut down and restart your computer, and then open iPhoto again. If the problem persists, try rebuilding your photo library. To do this, quit iPhoto, and then reopen it while keeping the Option and Command keys pressed. You can also try restoring your photo library from a backup.
    I'm nervous to do as instructed for fear of deleting my photos from the external harddrive.

    What format is the external drive? Has the iPhoto library been working on the external drive in the past? What recently changed? what ahppened when you tried
    Shut down and restart your computer, and then open iPhoto again.
    LN

  • Move iPhoto Library to external harddrive

    Good evening all...
    I've done some searching and see a few different possibilites for using an Alternate iPhoto Library on an external harddrive. I'm hoping for opinions on the best option for what I wish to accomplish.
    In my line of photography, I tend to focus on a specific event and then backup that event to remove it from my local hard disk (archive it if you will). In the past, I have done this by burning to CD, but now have a pretty decent sized external harddrive that I would like to take advantage of.
    After reading some other threads, I have noticed that some folks choose to relocate their iPhoto Library to a external harddrive and set it as the working iPhoto directory. I am wondering if this is a good option for me, as I prefer to keep my local harddrive clean? Is an external harddrive a safe option for primary storage? Chalk my fear of storing locally to years of Windows failures.
    If this is a good option for me, could somebody explain the procedures of setting this up? This is my first Mac and I am still somewhat cautious as to how I proceed with things such as this.
    If this is a bad option for me, suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
    Thank you in advance for your time!
    iMac   Mac OS X (10.4.9)   iPhoto 6

    Take a look at this Apple KB document: iPhoto: Sharing libraries among multiple users, particularly the screen show regarding ignoring ownership on the external HD. That will avoid problems that might pop up if permissions were turn on and some image file locked you out for some reason. It does happen at times.
    Do you Twango?
    TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto 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 written an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger), 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. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

  • Would like to know how to back up iphoto library to external harddrive

    I know this question has been asked and very well answered, but I could not find it in the pop up discussions.  I have copied my library to an external hard drive by dragging and dropping the events into folders.  This works, however is time consuming and all the photos, I think are out of order.  I would like to use the "export library" link in iphoto, but when i do it say something about can't create volumes??  Sorry if this is not as clear as it could be, but I don't think I am the first with this problem.  Links to previous solutions would be great!  I do use time machine as a back up to an external hard drive, but would like to back up the library to a USB also, which I can then put somewhere else. 
    I have a Mac Mini  10.6.8. and a sweet new bluetooth keyboard!

    Copy the iPhoto library intact to the EHD  --  or use a incremental program so you can update it without recopying everything - I use Carbon Copy cloner - Superduper is another good one - there are others
    LN

  • Transfering iphoto library on external hard drive to new MBPr - new MBPr won't display thumbnails

    Hello -
    I have a 2008 MBP, now running Lion. Because of space, I recently transferred the iphoto library of (18,000 plus photos) to a Seagate Backup Plus drive. It works fine. It is running iPhoto '09 (8.1.2) - although perhaps it was running an earlier version before the Lion upgrade?
    I recently bought a new MBP retina. I thought transferring the iphoto library would be a simple matter of plugging the Seagate into the new computer, then selecting that library as the library to use when opening iphoto. The MBPr is running iPhoto '11 (9.4.2)
    However, when I do that, I get a bunch of blank thumbnails. I can tell it's my library, because I see all the Event names (although they seem to be out of order).  But the thumbnails are black. When I click on one, I get the triangle containing exclamation point icon. Also, it only contains 7,457 photos.
    Ejecting the Seagate and plugging it back into the old computer works fine. Not sure what I am doing wrong.
    I downloaded Library Manager and tried to rebuild and got this message: Rebuild complete. No photos were imported. 7457 errors occurred during the transfer.
    Perhaps I'm missing something obvious. Thought of taking the iphoto library file from the Seagate and simply copying it into the MBPr's Pictures file, but wanted to confirm that this was the right course.
    Any help would be most appreciated!
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    Matt

    I assume it's OSX extended, since it's a "Backup Plus for Mac" and billed as being "Mac OS and Time-Machine® ready out of the box," but I could be wrong. It does seem to work fine with my older MBP.

  • Confirm move of iPhoto library to external harddrive

    I recently moved my iPhoto library to an external HD, and wanted to confirm that I can safely delete the old iPhoto library from my external disk. How do I check this? I also wanted to check that iPhoto is set up to store yet-to-be-imported-photos in the new location (on the HD). Under preferences in iPhoto, and then under the advanced tab, I have selected the box next to "copy photos to the iPhoto library". Is it really that simple?

    Hold down the option (or alt) key key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library' and point it at the Library on the external. From that point on, this is the default Library, and the one that all pics will be imported to.
    Test it thoroughly and when you're sure it's all okay, delete the one on the internal.
    Regards
    TD

  • Transfering iphoto Library from external HD to my new MB Pro.

    I have searched these forums and can't seem to find a straightforward answer. I just want to transfer my complete iphoto library to my new mac.
    How do I do this? Everything is on my external HD. I screwed up my itunes import (my playlists didn't transfer and songs are duplicated)....and I don't want to screw this up.
    Thanks!!!
    Kim

    I actually don't have anything in the Finder sidebar that says "Pictures"
    Click on the item with the house icon and drag the iPhoto Library into the Pictures item inside.
    I have a folder that says "All Images"
    That's a predefined search, not a folder.
    I guess all the pics are on the new one...but how do I get from the "All Images" folder into iphoto now?
    Follow the instructions above, or launch iPhoto, select them all, and drag them into the open iPhoto window.
    (45918)

  • Iphoto library on external hard drive now does not show all the photos when i access it from macbook

    i backed up iphoto library to an external hard drive.  Deleted photo library on the macbook.  After transferring some new photos to macbook from a camera, when i access the iphoto library on external hard drive only the new photos show up.  Originals are still in files, but don't appear when opening iphoto library on external hard drive.

    Make a temporary, backup copy of your library if you don't already have one (Control-click on the library and select Duplicate from the contextual menu) and  apply the two fixes below in order as needed:
    Fix #1
    Launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys held down and rebuild the library.
    Select the options identified in the screenshot. 
    Fix #2
    Using iPhoto Library Manager  to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
    Download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
    Click on the Add Library button, navigate to your Home/Pictures folder and select your iPhoto Library folder.
    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
    In the next  window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed.
    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 left untouched for further attempts at fixing the problem or in case the rebuilt library is not satisfactory.
    OT

  • If I Move iPhoto Library to External Drive Does It Keep Organized?

    Can anyone tell me:
    In iPhoto 09 8.2.1 if I take the time to organize, edit, "faces" "events" etc...and I move iPhoto to an External Harddrive, a Western Digital "My Book"...Does moved library stay edited, organized face tagged, etc?
    Thanks

    See this document how to format a drive for photo libraries: (it explains it for aperture, but it is done the same way for iPhoto)
              Format external drives to Mac OS Extended before using with Aperture
    Also if I do format the drive how will that effect what is already on there (not just photos but documents, etc)?
    I thought you were buying a new drive to use with iPhoto.   If there are already documents on the drive, you need to copy them temporarily somewhere else. Reformatting will erase a drive completely.
    Disk Utility (it is in the "Utilities" folder in "Applications")  will show you, if your drive needs formatting.
    The left pane shows your disks and disk partitions, and the right pane lets you do useful things, like reformatting and repairing your drive.
    If you select the drive in the left panel, you see the formatting in the footer of the panel.
    Is your drive correctly formatted?

  • How do I transfer pictures from my iphoto to an external harddrive to free up space?

    How do I transfer pictures from my iphoto to an external harddrive to free up space?

    To get photos off of your Mac the solution is to run your iPhoto library (and probably iTunes library) on an external drive. The drive must be formatted Mac OS extended (journaled). Quit iPhoto and drag your iPhoto libeprary to a properly formatted external drive, depress the option key, launch iPhoto and use the select library window to select the new location. Fully test it and then delete the one on the internal drive. Test one more time before emptying the trash. Verify that your back up software is backing up the external drive.
    LN

  • Trying to copy iPhoto Library to external hard drive for backup.  Error message:  The Finder can't complete the operation because some data in "iPhoto Library" can't be read or written (Error code -36).

    Trying to copy iPhoto Library to external hard drive for backup.  Error message:  The Finder can't complete the operation because some data in "iPhoto Library" can't be read or written (Error code -36).

    That code is
    -36
    ioErr
    I/O error (bummers)
    Make sure the EHD is formatted OS X Extended (journaled) and run Disk Utilty on the EHD and repair the disk.  If that fails to help I'd try the following:
    Using iPhoto Library Manager  to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
    Download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
    Click on the Add Library button,                         
    navigate to your Home/Pictures folder and select your iPhoto Library folder.
    Now that the library is listed in the left hand pane of iPLM, click on your library and go to the Library ➙ Rebuild Library menu option
    In the next  window name the new library and select the external HD as the location of the newly rebild library.
    Click on the Create button.
    Note 1: This creates a new library based on the LIbraryData.xml file in the library and will recover Events, Albums, keywords, titles and comments. However, books, calendars, cards and slideshows will be lost.
    Note 2:  Your current library will be left untouched for further attempts at a fix if so desired.
    OT

  • Can't read iPhoto library from external drive

    I suddenly can't can't read iPhoto library from external drive. I have talked to WD and nohing is wrong with the network drive. I can open images and files from it. But, I can't read in iPhoto Library.

    Network Drive? a NAS?
    iPhoto needs to have the Library sitting on disk formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Users with the Library sitting on disks otherwise formatted regularly report issues including, but not limited to, importing, exporting, saving edits and sharing the photos.
    Basically, you need to move the library to a correctly formatted disk.

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