lebwohl
Level 1 (12 points)
iPad

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

by léonie,Solvedanswer
léonie léonie
Level 10 (108,148 points)
iCloud
A:
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).

Posted on Jan 21, 2016 9:50 AM

Close
lebwohl

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

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

Previous Page 2

  • by lebwohl,

    lebwohl lebwohl Jan 21, 2016 10:36 AM in response to LarryHN
    Level 1 (12 points)
    iPad
    Jan 21, 2016 10:36 AM in response to LarryHN

    Thanks Larry. Actually, I had already force quit Photos before your post. When I then clicked on it in the Dock everything seemed to be okay. On a related note, I just noticed that the new Photos has been added automatically to my EHD. This surprised me because I thought that would have to be done manually.

  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie Jan 21, 2016 10:40 AM in response to lebwohl
    Level 10 (108,148 points)
    iCloud
    Jan 21, 2016 10:40 AM in response to lebwohl

    On a related note, I just noticed that the new Photos has been added automatically to my EHD. This surprised me because I thought that would have to be done manually.

    The new Photos for Mac is a part of MacOS X.  It is system software like Mail and Calendar.  It is a required part of MAcOS X and you cannot uninstall it. You can just ignore it and don't use it.

  • by lebwohl,

    lebwohl lebwohl Jan 21, 2016 10:47 AM in response to léonie
    Level 1 (12 points)
    iPad
    Jan 21, 2016 10:47 AM in response to léonie

    I understand about Photos being an integral part of MacOS X, but I don't follow what you mean by "just ignore it and don't use it." Are you referring to the copy of Photos in my external drive?

  • by LarryHN,Helpful

    LarryHN LarryHN Jan 21, 2016 12:50 PM in response to lebwohl
    Level 10 (85,256 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jan 21, 2016 12:50 PM in response to lebwohl

    Photos is an Application - it must be in your Applications folder on your boot drive and can not be on an external drive

     

    Are you by chance actually talking about your Photos library? If so it is created on the same volume as the iPhoto library when you migrate the iPhoto library to Photos - that is not an automat process but happens when you launch Photos and migrate an iPhoto library or migrate one by dragging it to the Photos icon in the Dock

     

    And if you do not want to use the Photos application then simply do not use it - ignore it

     

    LN

  • by lebwohl,

    lebwohl lebwohl Jan 21, 2016 12:04 PM in response to LarryHN
    Level 1 (12 points)
    iPad
    Jan 21, 2016 12:04 PM in response to LarryHN

    Okay, I now I understand a part of what both of you are saying. Yes, I was referring to the Photos library, not the entire app when I said:  " "I just noticed that the new Photos has been added automatically to my EHD".  Sorry for the confusion. Let me try to clarify my earlier question. As I understand it, I now have both an iPhoto Library and a Photos Library inside my EHD (screen shot). Is this true, and is it proper, or is something still screwed up? I definitely do want to use the Photos application. Thanks.

  • by léonie,Helpful

    léonie léonie Jan 21, 2016 12:50 PM in response to lebwohl
    Level 10 (108,148 points)
    iCloud
    Jan 21, 2016 12:50 PM in response to lebwohl
    Is this true, and is it proper, or is something still screwed up?

    Your Photos Library in your Pictures folder is perfect.  Just explore it thoroughly to see, if all photos are readable and can be edited.

  • by lebwohl,

    lebwohl lebwohl Jan 21, 2016 12:51 PM in response to léonie
    Level 1 (12 points)
    iPad
    Jan 21, 2016 12:51 PM in response to léonie

    Thanks again for straightening me out. Think I'll go have a drink now.

  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie Jan 21, 2016 1:15 PM in response to lebwohl
    Level 10 (108,148 points)
    iCloud
    Jan 21, 2016 1:15 PM in response to lebwohl

    Cheers! 

  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN Jan 21, 2016 1:35 PM in response to lebwohl
    Level 10 (85,256 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jan 21, 2016 1:35 PM in response to lebwohl

    that is proper - and as described here Photos saves disk space by sharing images with your iPhoto or Aperture libraries - Apple Support although it looks like you have lots of duplicated space you do not so it is best to keep the iPhoto migrated library for a few months until you are sure things are all good and you do not want or need it

     

    LN

  • by lebwohl,

    lebwohl lebwohl Jan 21, 2016 2:45 PM in response to LarryHN
    Level 1 (12 points)
    iPad
    Jan 21, 2016 2:45 PM in response to LarryHN

    Thanks Larry. I appreciate your time and patience with my sometimes bizarre questioning.

  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN Jan 21, 2016 3:58 PM in response to lebwohl
    Level 10 (85,256 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jan 21, 2016 3:58 PM in response to lebwohl

    You are welcome  --  and your drink is getting warm

     

    LN

  • by Ell-oh-Ellen,

    Ell-oh-Ellen Ell-oh-Ellen Feb 4, 2016 3:04 PM in response to LarryHN
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 4, 2016 3:04 PM in response to LarryHN

    I am a novice at all of this and I read the above posts, yet I am not sure I understand entirely what to do. My husband moved my iPhoto Library to an EHD, it is a Seagate 1TB, I am not sure of the format, but I am assuming it was not formatted Mac OS - as I have seen suggested. He then upgraded to El Capitan and I tried to move my old iPhoto Library to the new Photos App and it says "The Library could not be opened, Photos has attempted to repair the library 'iPhoto Library', but it is unable to open it." Do I need to drag the old iPhoto Library back off of my EHD and try to access it or what does anyone suggest? I have 70GB of pictures and 10 years of raising my kids on there, I am a bit frantic. Please to try explain in the simplest way possible.

  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN Feb 4, 2016 3:45 PM in response to Ell-oh-Ellen
    Level 10 (85,256 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Feb 4, 2016 3:45 PM in response to Ell-oh-Ellen

    If the drive is not formatted Mac OS extended (journaled) then you can not use your Photos library on it and it is possible that putting it there damaged it - to use it you have to drag it to a properly formatted drive and then open it and hopefully things will be good - if they are not then you need to restore your backup from before the library was put on an improperly formatted Drive

     

    LN

  • by Ell-oh-Ellen,

    Ell-oh-Ellen Ell-oh-Ellen Feb 11, 2016 7:33 AM in response to LarryHN
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 11, 2016 7:33 AM in response to LarryHN

    Thank you so much! I will try that, fortunately I do have time machine so I have it backed up. I'll let you know how it goes.

Previous Page 2