HT204484: If Photos can’t copy or create a library

Learn about If Photos can’t copy or create a library
dmrobson
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: How do I get photos to work using an external hard drive

How do I get photos to work using an external hard drive? It says there is an error?

MacBook, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.1)

Posted on Apr 9, 2015 4:20 AM

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dmrobson

Q: How do I get photos to work using an external hard drive

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Terence Devlin,Helpful

    Terence Devlin Terence Devlin Apr 9, 2015 5:00 AM in response to dmrobson
    Level 10 (139,557 points)
    iLife
    Apr 9, 2015 5:00 AM in response to dmrobson

    Same way as iPhoto and Aperture. You're going to need to offer more details before we can offer more specific help. For instance, what format is the drive, how are you connected? And what do you mean by "work using an external hard drive"?

  • by dmrobson,

    dmrobson dmrobson Apr 9, 2015 5:02 AM in response to Terence Devlin
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 9, 2015 5:02 AM in response to Terence Devlin

    Screen Shot 2015-04-09 at 12.16.35.pngI get this. Im using WD Passport connect using firewire.

    I don't get it. It is trying to migrate the old iPhoto library to photos and this is the message!

  • by Alley_Cat,

    Alley_Cat Alley_Cat Apr 9, 2015 5:06 AM in response to dmrobson
    Level 6 (19,583 points)
    Apr 9, 2015 5:06 AM in response to dmrobson

    Take a look at the online Help:

     

    https://help.apple.com/photos/mac/1.0/?lang=en#/pht6d60b524

  • by Alley_Cat,

    Alley_Cat Alley_Cat Apr 9, 2015 5:07 AM in response to dmrobson
    Level 6 (19,583 points)
    Apr 9, 2015 5:07 AM in response to dmrobson

    I think you need to explain exactly what you did to get this dialogue box popping up.

     

    I agree it sounds like a permissions issue but it would not normally affect an external drive.

  • by dmrobson,

    dmrobson dmrobson Apr 9, 2015 5:13 AM in response to Alley_Cat
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 9, 2015 5:13 AM in response to Alley_Cat

    I have sorted the problem. The hard drive only had permissions for read not write so changed to write and read its working

     

    Thanks

  • by Alley_Cat,

    Alley_Cat Alley_Cat Apr 9, 2015 5:16 AM in response to dmrobson
    Level 6 (19,583 points)
    Apr 9, 2015 5:16 AM in response to dmrobson

    Glad you fixed it.

  • by sachindr,

    sachindr sachindr Apr 9, 2015 3:44 PM in response to Alley_Cat
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 9, 2015 3:44 PM in response to Alley_Cat

    Hi,

    I have the EXACT problem as dmrobson (including the pop up message). I recently upgraded to the OS X Yosemite software on my MacAir. I tried to open the iPhoto library on my external hard drive using the photos app. That is when this message popped up. I have since repaired the permissions on my MacHD and external disk but photos still can't seem to open my iPhoto library on the external disk......

  • by sachindr,

    sachindr sachindr Apr 9, 2015 3:45 PM in response to dmrobson
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 9, 2015 3:45 PM in response to dmrobson

    Hi,

    I have the EXACT problem as you (including the pop up message). I recently upgraded to the OS X Yosemite software on my MacAir. I tried to open the iPhoto library on my external hard drive using the photos app. That is when this message popped up. I have since repaired the permissions on my MacHD and external disk but photos still can't seem to open my iPhoto library on the external disk......

    I have confirmed that the iPhoto libraries on the external disk are read and write..any suggestions?

  • by jaadams,Helpful

    jaadams jaadams Apr 12, 2015 10:52 PM in response to dmrobson
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Apr 12, 2015 10:52 PM in response to dmrobson

    ETA: Ten seconds of common sense answered my question and got my EHD transferring properly.

     


    How did you change your permissions on your EHD? I'm having this same issue.

  • by dmrobson,

    dmrobson dmrobson Apr 12, 2015 10:53 PM in response to jaadams
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 12, 2015 10:53 PM in response to jaadams

    ON the EDH just go to get info then permissions at the bottom. Change to write and read.

  • by Ewan Photo,

    Ewan Photo Ewan Photo Apr 21, 2015 9:15 AM in response to sachindr
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 21, 2015 9:15 AM in response to sachindr

    I was getting the same issue.

    iPhoto Library is on an external drive, updated OS to Yosemite, tried to open iPhoto Library on the external drive, after 8% completion of "Preparing Library" I got the error message about permissions.

     

    I right clicked the drive, selected get info, then clicked the padlock on the bottom right of the info panel to allow privileges for everyone to be read & write.

     

    The library now appears to be preparing ok, it's reached 43% so far and my fingers are crossed for accessing my images

     

    Before using the external drive with my Mac, I had to reformat it due to having used it previously on a PC.

    I thought I had it all set up with read and write permissions allowed, but obviously not!

     

    I will now organise all my images using folders and avoid these programmes that claim to make organising easier!