Upgrade to iPhoto 6, keep library on external HD

I am finally upgrading from iPhoto 2 (go ahead, mock me) to iPhoto 6. Since my internal HD is so small, I keep my entire iPhoto library on my external firewire drive. When I do the install of 6, will I have to move the new library like I did the old one? What do I need to do to insure that the new version can access or imports the old photos without having the system try to merge them into a new folder on the internal HD? They would not fit and a crash would be imminent. Sorry if this seems elemental, but I know from experience that trying to figure this kind of thing out up front saves a lot of time, panic and frustration later. Thanks.

Hi, pbrud. Because you have absurdly limited space on your internal drive now, be aware that installing iLife '06 on it will take up a heck of a lot of room — dozens of times more than iPhoto 2 does. iDVD alone will occupy about 2.5GB of disk space even if you never use it. The iPhoto 6 application in my Applications folder is about 543MB, iWeb is another 321MB, iMovie HD is 81MB, and each one comes with a substantial volume of supporting files that are stored elsewhere. I've forgotten exactly how much space GarageBand wastes, because I trashed that long ago, but it's close to the size of iDVD. Altogether, just installing iLife 06 may require more space than the entire capacity of your hard drive. I don't recall whether or not there's an option in the installer to install only selected applications.
If I were you, I'd replace that internal drive immediately with a far larger one. You could have an 80GB, 100GB or 120GB drive in your Mac a week from now for $35-$75, if you shop online and install it yourself. Then you could have all your files at hand all the time without relying on your external drive for primary storage, and use that drive for backup instead. I hesitate to ask whether all the files on your external drive now are backed up somewhere else — but are they? If not, there's your justification for spending the pittance that a bigger internal drive will cost.

Similar Messages

IPhoto '09 Rebuild Library on External Drive Issue

I am trying to rebuild my library with the option + iphoto launch, but i keep getting the window asking me "What photo library do you want iPhoto to use?"
I select the default library on my external drive, which is the only library I have, while still holding down the "option" key, select "choose" and then the same window pops open again "What photo library do you want iPhoto to use?"
Keeps going in circles and never gives me the options to rebuild.
I also tried to releasing the option key when this window opens and the result is just that it launches iPhoto.
What is the issue here? Why does it keep asking what library I want to use? How do I default this window automatically so it knows already the library location and then I can proceed with the rebuild?
When the library was on the local drive months ago, it never did this.
Thanks in advance.

It keeps asking you which Library you want to use because you keep using the keystroke that gives you that option.
If you want to rebuild the Library you need to hold the *command and option (or alt) keys* when launching to get that menu.
Regards
TD

Problems with iPhoto after exporting library to external hard disk

Hello all,
I am using iPhoto 8 on an iBook G4. I recently attempted to back up my iPhoto library to an external hard disk. I did this by dragging the iPhoto library to the external hard disk. I did not delete the library on my own computer. Since I've done this, iPhoto has not been problematic. For instance, when I attempt to open an event on my computer, I can not see the thumbnails of all the photo's in the event - iPhoto will display each individual photo in sequence. If I want to print a picture, I have to export the entire event - I can't just drag the thumbnail to my desktop. Also, when I attempt to upload new pictures from my camera it produces an error.
Does anyone know what might be going on? I need to be able to access my photo's, so can anyone give me some advice on how to fix whatever I've done?
Any help you can give me would be much appreciated.

Gina2008
iPhoto will display each individual photo in sequence.
There's a slider lower right of the iPhoto Window - drag it left.
Why are you exporting to Print?
when I attempt to upload new pictures from my camera it produces an error.
What does the error say?
As for accessing your pics:
There are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto:
For 10.5 users: You can use any Open / Attach / Browse dialogue. On the left there's a Media heading, your pics can be accessed there. Apple-Click for selecting multiple pics.
Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
To upload to a site that does not have an iPhoto Export Plug-in the recommended way is to Select the Pic in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export and export the pic to the desktop, then upload from there. After the upload you can trash the pic on the desktop. It's only a copy and your original is safe in iPhoto.
This is also true for emailing with Web-based services. If you're using Gmail you can use THIS
If you use Apple's Mail, Entourage, AOL or Eudora you can email from within iPhoto. With 10.5 you can access the Library from the New Message Window in Mail:
Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
If you use a Cocoa-based Browser such as Safari, you can drag the pics from the iPhoto Window to the Attach window in the browser.
Or, if you want to access the files with iPhoto not running, then create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use THIS
Other options include:
1. *Drag and Drop*: Drag a photo from the iPhoto Window to the desktop, there iPhoto will make a full-sized copy of the pic.
2. *File -> Export*: Select the files in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export. The dialogue will give you various options, including altering the format, naming the files and changing the size. Again, producing a copy.
3. *Show File*: Right- (or Control-) Click on a pic and in the resulting dialogue choose 'Show File'. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.
Regards
TD

How to move Aperture Application back to computer, but keep Library on External HD?

Many thanks in advance for your attention.
1. As my Aperture Library started out of the gate large, I began by putting both the Aperture Application and all of the Library on an External Hard Drive.
2. How do I move the Aperture Application back to my computer, but leave all the Library (and its photos, contents, etc.) on the External Hard Drive?
3. I tried opening a new Aperture Library on my computer and then attached my External Hard Drive. I tried clicking that I wanted to keep all the data on the Eternal Hard Drive (presumably this would just transfer the Reference files to my computer - but leave the 100s of GB of photos and data on the External Hard Drive). But the Import button remains greyed out. It is like the Aperture Application on my computer sees another Aperture Application and Library on the External Hard Drive. One Library is open (on computer), so it can't access photos in 2nd Library - (External Drive). But if I open up External Drive Library, then I can't import in the direction I want.
4. I don't want to import One Project. I am trying to now have my Aperture App and Reference files on computer, while keeping all my photos, etc. on External drive.
5. One more question as I have read and heard it both ways. Some people say - One Aperture Library for all photos is the best way. That is the point of it. To organize all your photos.
6. Others say - One library is absurd. As it grows and grows, it slows down and gets sluggish. Better to have multiple (smaller) libraries.

Thanks for this link as well.
This person seems to want to illustrate that you can have multiple Libraries, which you can. The first example given is a good one: one Library for professional work (I was paid to make these, and I sell them), and one Library for, as the author states, "snapshots of family and friends". The second example is suspect. That is the author's Library for his Aikido club. This seems set up simply so that he can show a third Library. The Library does no appear to be used much, and is very small. There is no reason such a Library shouldn't be either in his Professional Library (I get paid to take shots of my Aikido club) or in his personal Library (my Aikido friends).
I put both this person and the other person to whose video you linked in the category of helpful people who have knowledge but not much experience. (And let me here acknowledge that I tend to overstate my case: I'm happy to have my experience improved -- but I didn't see anything in either citation that did that.)
A year ago I stated my general rules for creating Libraries. I stick by them today:
My rules-of-thumb are:
• One Library for each photographer or group of functionally identical photographers (a company that shoots weddings, for example) when the author/copyright-holder of the image is important.
• Separate Libraries for "authorless" images of a specific category (I keep a Library of paintings and drawings; who made the photographs is of no interest).
• Separate Libraries for items which need to be handled securely (medical documentation, for example)

Keeping library data externally

Alright, so I've been looking around and just can't seem to find any solid or specific information on this topic.
I know you guys have probably already answered this question a thousand times, but I just can't seem to find the answer.
I keep my entire iTunes library stored on my nice, big external drive. I have a number of different computers I'd like to use the music on, but the library information does not seem to be able to be saved to the external drive. Every time I update information, my play counts change, I add album artwork, or anything like that, the minute I unplug my drive and go to a different computer, that information is no longer there until I go back to where I originally added the info.
Obviously I understand why, and it's because the library information is being saved to my internal HD, and I COULD copy the files to my external every time, but that seems like such a hassle.
I guess my question is: Is there anyway to direct iTunes to save that info directly to my external so that I don't have to copy it every time or have to deal with different information on each computer?
Thanks.

Welcome to AD!
Yes, it's a file named iTunesLibrary.itl.
Copy your 'best' version over to the exHD. By best, I mean the most recent. or the one with the ratings, play counts, etc that you most prefer.
Now, when you connect it to each PC, it must always have the same drive letter, so assign it a drive letter using these directions
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307844
This is very important, it has to have the same drive letter on each PC. Otherwise itunes will lose the paths to the music.
On each PC, press *and hold* the shift key while starting itunes. Choose that ITL file on the exhd. You only have to do that once, itunes should continue using the exHD ITL from then on.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=iTunesWin/8.1/en/15502.html
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660

How to transfer iTunes to new mac while keeping library on external drive?

I have a new iMac (running 10.4.11). Old mac is a G4 powerbook, which is synched to my ipods and iphone. My iTunes library is on an external hard drive. How do I get the new computer to "own" the iTunes account and media library so it will synch with my devices and not tell me I don't own the music? Thanks!

Have a look here (click the text after this arrow -> iTunes: Troubleshooting iTunes Store on your computer, iPhone, iPad, or iPod
I don't understand what you're suggesting at all.
I'm suggesting you change your signature line to reflect your current computer and current OS so people know what to help with.
Change what under "my settings"
Your computer model and your OS version. You list two different computers and 2 different OS versions.
and and where is "my settings"?
As stated above, it is here -> My Settings or at the top right side of this window.

Keep library on external hard rive

I want to add media files to Itunes so that they are availble to watch on apple tv but i want to leave the files on an external hardrive, not co[pied onto my mac. Is this possible?

Either open the iTunes preferences and set it not to copy the content to the iTunes Media folder, or drag the entire iTunes library to the external drive, launch iTunes with the Option key held down, and navigate to that library.
(100501)

Just upgraded and iPhoto said it has to upgrade library but keeps freezing. Have tried it too many times now and I need those photos ASAP HELP!!

Just upgraded and iPhoto said it has to upgrade library but keeps freezing. Have tried it too many times now and I need those photos ASAP HELP!!

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

Need help upgrading from iPhoto 2... keep photo comments?

I currently have iPhoto 2 that originally came with my eMac. I have recently upgraded the operating system to the 10.4.11. I have tons of photos in iPhoto 2. Ultimately, this has slowed down the response time when working in iPhoto.
I am trying to figure out how the comments that I write for each photo stays with the photo after I back it up to my external hard drive, iBook? Or, how can I keep the comments to the photo when I email the photos?
After doing some research, it looks like I need to upgrade to a current iPhoto to be able to do this. Is this correct? Will a current iPhoto version keep the comments with that photo when saved or sent elsewhere? What is the best way to upgrade and how do I go about doing this?
Is there anyway to backup the photos on disc with the comments included? Or, can the comments be printed out to a thumbnail size of each photo for record keeping?
I hope you can HELP with this "photo comments" dilemma... Thanks.

Did you try repairing permissions yet? Just because you have a fresh install of Mac OS X doesn't mean everything is as it should be. And you may not know that the mail format changed from 10.4 to 10.5, so you should try rebuilding your Mail index like this:
1. Quit Mail if it's running.
2. Go to ~/Library/Mail and delete the Envelope Index file(s).
3. Restart Mail, wait for it to import your existing messages, then check to see if you have access to your older mail from 10.4.
Mulder

IPhoto Library on external HD

Hi,
Today I have received my copy of iLife '08 and I intended to install it over the weekend.
I was just wondering if anyone had any problems installing and updating while the iPhoto Library is located on an external FireWire HD.
Is it best to move the iPhoto Library back to the internal HD or should the location be of no importance for the update procedure?
I ask because the update does change the iPhoto Library in a big way (folder structure to single package).
Thanks for your comments and insight.
Claude Hastert

My suggestion would be to keep copies of your current iPhoto library on BOTH drives, especially if it is too large to fit on a removable disk. Should you experience a problem during installation, you can easily regain access to your data.
I experienced a disastrous upgrade to iPhoto '08, but recovered my previous data from my external firewire drive. As I have been unable to reinstall my previous version of iPhoto for some unknown reason, I have been running iPhoto '06 off my backup drive, using the data on the boot drive!
Holding down the option key when starting previous versions of iPhoto will allow you to select the library you'd like to open. I would assume that this will also work with iPhoto '08.
Good luck!

IPhoto 9.6 - Library will not upgrade...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010), 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5, 8 GB 1067 MHz DDR3, Intel HD Graphics 288 MB.
OS X Yosemite, Version 10.10.
iPhoto 9.6
Library size - 48GB
PROBLEM.
I upgraded iPhoto and everything worked great. However a few days ago when opening the App a message appeared telling me my library needed to be upgraded to use this version of iPhoto.
I have selected upgrade on several occasions but all that happens is the "Beachball" for approximately 10mins and then the App closes, occasionally it will get as far as "examining photo library" but still shuts down.
ATTEMPTS TO CURE
1.     I have tried holding down the Cmd + Opt keys on selection of the App and have selected every option on the iPhoto First Aid but it will not allow me to do anything other than "Upgrade" or "Quit"
2.     I have opened the App holding down the Opt key and created a new library - iPhoto then works fine. However when I try to change libraries I'm back where I started.
3.     I have removed and reinstalled iPhoto (ensuring my library was backed-up first) - no change.
4.     I have downloaded iPhoto Library Manager. It finds my library and my albums but none of my pictures - is this because I need to pay the £20?
Any help would be gratefully received.

If rebuilding your library with iPLM doesn't work or fails to recover your photos you may have to resort to the following;
Starting over from scratch with new library
Start over with a new library and import the Originals (iPhoto 09 and earlier) or the Masters (iPhoto 11) folder from your original library as follows:
1. Open the library package like this.
2. Launch iPhoto with the Option key held down and, when asked, select the option to create a new library.
3. Drag the subfolders of the Originals (iPhoto 09 and earlier) or the Masters (iPhoto 11) folder from the open iPhoto Library package into the open iPhoto window a few at a time.
This will create a new library with the same Events (but not necessarily the same Event names) as the original library but will not keep the metadata, albums, books slideshows and other projects.
Note: your current library will be left untouched for further attempts at a fix if so desired.

IPhoto library contains lots of gb but will not open pictures after upgrade to iPhoto ´11

Upgraded from iPhoto ´08 to iPhoto ´11 (9.5.1) and to OS Maverick (10.9.1).
In "Finder" the library still seem to contain lots of gigabytes of data, but when iPhoto open the library it reads 0 photos. I have tried rebuilt (option+cmd key when opening iPhoto), iPhoto library manager, I have purchased aperture which acts just like iPhoto. Quite a few pictures missing, starting to become desperate - anyone with other ideas? Any help appreciated!
Thomas

Give this a try:
Starting over from scratch with new library
Start over with a new library and import the Originals (iPhoto 09 and earlier) or the Masters (iPhoto 11) folder from your original library as follows:
1. Open the library package like this.
2. Launch iPhoto with the Option key held down and, when asked, select the option to create a new library.
3. Drag the subfolders of the Originals (iPhoto 09 and earlier) or the Masters (iPhoto 11) folder from the open iPhoto Library package into the open iPhoto window a few at a time.
This will create a new library with the same Events (but not necessarily the same Event names) as the original library but will not keep the metadata, albums, books slideshows and other projects.
Note: your current library will be left untouched for further attempts at a fix if so desired.
OT

IPhoto 8 to 11 update, no thumbs, no pics, library on external drive.

Using MacBook 13" mid 2010 2.4Ghz running OS X 10.8.3, upgraded my iPhoto 8 to 11, after upgrade no thumbs, no pics, showing in iPhoto 11, the events, albums, and all correct but no pics, or thumbs just grey boxes. The library is on external WD My Passport 1.5 TB drive formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
I have tried the following but to no avail,
iPhoto Library Upgrader.
All 4 Photo Library First Aid Options that being, Repair Permisions, Rebuild Thumbnails, Repair Database and Rebuild Database,
iPhoto Library Manager from Fat Cat.
iPhoto Library are backed up on Time Capsule as well as another External Drive, would like to get this sorted....Hopefully Terence or the Old Toad can shed some light on this.
Cheers Aussie.

Which one worked?
Try a new library as a test - depress the option key and launch iPhoto and create a new library - import a few photos into it and see how it behaves
If this fails go to a different user account and do the same in that account
If 1 did then 2 would have to
if you have the paid version of IPLM and if 1 worked try using IPLM to merge your existing library into the new test library (delete the test photos first)
LN

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

Can't open iPhoto library on External HD

Saved photo library on iMac (iPhoto '08 version 7.1.5) to external HD (Mac OS Extended - journaled), it shows 50GB of photos saved, which is the correct size.
connected ext HD to MacBook Pro (Mavericks) running iPhoto 9.5.1.
Opened iPhoto while holding option key and switched from default library (on MBP) to library on external HD.
iPhoto opens new library but there are no photos only a yellow sticky note that asks to either connect a camera, drag files or import photos.
Used iPhoto Library Upgrader to update iPhoto '08 library but note said the library (on the external HD) did not need updating.
Any suggestions?

I dragged the iPhoto library from the Pictures folder to a WD EHD.
The iPhoto library from the iMac is backed up with Time Michine on a Lacie EHD. How do I rebuild the database on the WD EHD? When I open iPhoto while holding the option and commansd keys it opens the library on the iMac. It took 18 hours to move the library to the EHD and I would rather not have to do that again. I would rather rebuild the library on the EHD.
Thanks for your help.

Upgrade to iPhoto 6, keep library on external HD

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