lebwohl

Q: Can't open Photos after updating from Snow Leopard to El Capitan

I have an iMac 3.06 GHz, which was updated to El Capitan on January 15. Most things went well with the transition, but I seem to be "stuck" now between iPhoto and Photos - I don't know how else to put it, but I cannot open Photos. When I click on it in the Dock I get the attached screen shot. It's been like this for several since I did the update to El Capitan. At first, it looked as if iPhoto was successfully migrated to Photos during the update. But then, after clicking on my iPhoto external backup it appeared as if  the migration process was starting all over again.  I now have the image shown in the attached screen shot. It's been stuck on "50% complete" for several days. When I try to quit Photos I get:  "Cannot quit Photos while it is creating or opening a library."

 

After doing some checking for similar issues in previous posts I was clued in to taking a look at my Applications folder. Lo and behold, it lists the following multiple iPhoto libraries:

      iPhoto Library ............Jan 15, 2016   (Date Last Opened)

      iPhoto Library - old .... Jan 15, 2016         "

      iPhoto Library - old .... Jan 29, 2016         "

      iPhoto Library - old .... Nov 26, 2015        "

      iPhoto Library ............ Nov 25, 2016        "

 

Obviously - even to me! - something is all screwed up here

Posted on Jan 20, 2016 9:37 AM

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Q: Can't open Photos after updating from Snow Leopard to El Capitan

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  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN Jan 20, 2016 10:01 AM in response to lebwohl
    Level 10 (85,032 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jan 20, 2016 10:01 AM in response to lebwohl

    There is no attached screen shot - to attach an image click on the camera icon in the top bar of the compose window

     

    what format is the external hard drive? Is this a TimeMachine backup or is the EHD being used by TM? How is the EHD connected to your Mac?

     

    And you should not have iPhoto (or Photos) Libraries in your applications folder - they should be in your Pictures folder

     

    One thing to try is to force quit Photos (file menu ==> force quit) and then drag the iPhoto library you want to migrate to the Photos icon in the Dock (if it is in a proper place on a proper disk)

     

    LN

  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie Jan 20, 2016 10:03 AM in response to lebwohl
    Level 10 (107,827 points)
    iCloud
    Jan 20, 2016 10:03 AM in response to lebwohl
    - I don't know how else to put it, but I cannot open Photos. When I click on it in the Dock I get the attached screen shot. I

    Your screenshot does not show, sorry. What is the error message?

     

    To post a screenshot click the camera icon in the toolbar in the editor window: The filename of the screenshot must not contain a + sign.

    Screen Shot 2016-01-20 at 19.00.41GMT.png

  • by lebwohl,

    lebwohl lebwohl Jan 21, 2016 7:22 AM in response to LarryHN
    Level 1 (12 points)
    iPad
    Jan 21, 2016 7:22 AM in response to LarryHN

    Sorry Larry, I forgot to include the the screenshot (below). Also, I meant to say that the iPhoto libraries are in the Pictures (not Applications) folder. But here's another mystery: In checking my Pictures folder this morning I see that it now shows only two libraries (see second screen shot). So, to me, it seems that I must have, somehow triggered the migration process twice. But, I've never done this before, and I'm only guessing. I also want to point out that the "first migration" from iPhoto to Photos was apparently successful. I saw it, and played around with it a bit. It was only when I checked the iPhoto backup in my EHD (connected to the computer by USB, Time Machine is on another EHD) that the migration process started all over again – and I could not stop it. Thanks a million for your time!

            Screen Shot 2016-01-20 at 11.11.21 AM.pngScreen Shot 2016-01-21 at 9.03.23 AM.png

  • by lebwohl,

    lebwohl lebwohl Jan 21, 2016 7:23 AM in response to léonie
    Level 1 (12 points)
    iPad
    Jan 21, 2016 7:23 AM in response to léonie

    Thanks, leonie. Please see my reply to LarryHN.

  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN Jan 21, 2016 8:24 AM in response to lebwohl
    Level 10 (85,032 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jan 21, 2016 8:24 AM in response to lebwohl

    .

  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie Jan 21, 2016 8:33 AM in response to lebwohl
    Level 10 (107,827 points)
    iCloud
    Jan 21, 2016 8:33 AM in response to lebwohl

    It was only when I checked the iPhoto backup in my EHD (connected to the computer by USB, Time Machine is on another EHD) that the migration process started all over again – and I could not stop it.

    Photos may be trying to migrate a library from your external drive.

     

    I'd try to force quit Photos and try to directly open the Photos Library in your Pictures folder again by double-clicking it.

  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN Jan 21, 2016 8:32 AM in response to lebwohl
    Level 10 (85,032 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jan 21, 2016 8:32 AM in response to lebwohl

    You have all sorts of new and different information here so I am not at all clear on what you have or what you are doing

     

    You may be trying to ope an Timemachine backup - that is not possible - TM backups must be restored using the TM application to be users - you can not use them directly

    It was only when I checked the iPhoto backup in my EHD (connected to the computer by USB, Time Machine is on another EHD) that the migration process started all over again – and I could not stop it.

    If you are force quit Photos and double click on the working Photos library in your pictures folder

     

     

    LN

  • by lebwohl,

    lebwohl lebwohl Jan 21, 2016 8:50 AM in response to LarryHN
    Level 1 (12 points)
    iPad
    Jan 21, 2016 8:50 AM in response to LarryHN

    Thanks Larry and leonie. You have both suggested that I force quit Photos. However, I can neither Quit nor Force Quit. When I click on Quit in the Dock I get the message below. As to Force Quit, how in the world Screen Shot 2016-01-21 at 10.39.29 AM.pngdo I do that? I don't see any buttons/options for doing that. Should I try shutting down the computer?  I've left it on since the update to Photos days ago. Sorry to be a pain.

  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie Jan 21, 2016 9:15 AM in response to lebwohl
    Level 10 (107,827 points)
    iCloud
    Jan 21, 2016 9:15 AM in response to lebwohl

    To Force Quit an application open the -menu in the upper left corner of the display and select Force Quit.  You will see a list of running applications in the panel.  Select "Photos" and press the Force Quit button.

     

    Screen Shot 2016-01-21 at 18.13.43GMT.png

  • by lebwohl,

    lebwohl lebwohl Jan 21, 2016 9:34 AM in response to léonie
    Level 1 (12 points)
    iPad
    Jan 21, 2016 9:34 AM in response to léonie

    Thanks, leonie, that worked! I assume I should now trash the old iPhoto Library in the Pictures folder?  Or is there some reason to keep it? It shows that it's 131 GB in size. Are those the "same GBs" as my new Photos Library, or are these additional GBs that I can certainly do without? Thanks again!

  • by léonie,Solvedanswer

    léonie léonie Jan 21, 2016 9:50 AM in response to lebwohl
    Level 10 (107,827 points)
    iCloud
    Jan 21, 2016 9:50 AM in response to lebwohl
    Thanks, leonie, that worked! I assume I should now trash the old iPhoto Library in the Pictures folder?

    If you have enough storage, keep the iPhoto library until you have tested the Photos Library thoroughly and are sure, all is well, no missing photos.  At least, be sure you are having a working backup of the iPhoto Library.

     

    Most of the photos in the Photos Library will be hard like to your iPhoto Library, so you will not reclaim much storage by deleting the iPhoto Library (see:  Photos saves disk space by sharing images with your iPhoto or Aperture libraries - Apple Support).

  • by lebwohl,

    lebwohl lebwohl Jan 21, 2016 10:07 AM in response to léonie
    Level 1 (12 points)
    iPad
    Jan 21, 2016 10:07 AM in response to léonie

    Thanks again, I really appreciate your help!

  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie Jan 21, 2016 10:12 AM in response to lebwohl
    Level 10 (107,827 points)
    iCloud
    Jan 21, 2016 10:12 AM in response to lebwohl

    You're welcome, lebwohl! Good luck!

  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN Jan 21, 2016 10:16 AM in response to lebwohl
    Level 10 (85,032 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jan 21, 2016 10:16 AM in response to lebwohl

    as I suggested

     

    One thing to try is to force quit Photos (file menu ==> force quit) and then drag the iPhoto library you want to migrate to the Photos icon in the Dock (if it is in a proper place on a proper disk)



    LN

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