albertz
Level 1 (22 points)
Desktops

Q: How to access iPhoto library from external hard drive

Hello,

i am trying to access my iPhoto library that is on my external hard drive.  I am trying to free up space on my MacBook and want to make sure I can still retrieve stuff if I want from the external. I am getting this message (photo ).   Ok won't let me upload a photojeeeeeezzzz.... You have made changes etc,,,,, newer version of iPhoto ..........do you want to quit an use the latest version,,,,,,,,or creat new version etc,,,.. I just want to access my library from tha hard drive,..   Any ideas

MacBook Pro (13-inch Early 2011), Mac OS X (10.7.5), null

Posted on Apr 2, 2016 12:52 AM

by Terence Devlin,Apple recommended
Terence Devlin Terence Devlin
Level 10 (139,572 points)
iLife
A:

As Leonie says on your other thread, you can access the Masters, but you're not just backing up photos in an iPhoto Library, but an entire ecosystem of interlinked databases, files, caches and previews. In effect, within your Library a photo is not just a photo, but an image plus all your virtual editing and added metadata. Not a simple thing.

Posted on Apr 2, 2016 10:43 PM

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albertz

Q: How to access iPhoto library from external hard drive

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  • by albertz,

    albertz albertz Apr 2, 2016 1:00 AM in response to albertz
    Level 1 (22 points)
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    Apr 2, 2016 1:00 AM in response to albertz

    iphoto debacle.jpgheres the phot o 

  • by Terence Devlin,

    Terence Devlin Terence Devlin Apr 2, 2016 1:27 AM in response to albertz
    Level 10 (139,572 points)
    iLife
    Apr 2, 2016 1:27 AM in response to albertz

    1. What version of the OS?

     

    2. What version of iPhoto?

     

    3. What format is the External disk?

     

    4. How are you connected to it?

  • by albertz,

    albertz albertz Apr 2, 2016 1:44 AM in response to Terence Devlin
    Level 1 (22 points)
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    Apr 2, 2016 1:44 AM in response to Terence Devlin

    Hi Terence,

    OS is 10.7.5

    iphot 11, 9.1.4

    external disc is iomega for mac, assuming it is correct

    did backups through time machine.

    Ive been researching a bit more and have come accross some articles.  It seems as though I might have to restore the whole library back to the macbook before i can access these photos.  Is that correct?  That kind of defeats the purpose

  • by Terence Devlin,

    Terence Devlin Terence Devlin Apr 2, 2016 3:28 AM in response to albertz
    Level 10 (139,572 points)
    iLife
    Apr 2, 2016 3:28 AM in response to albertz

    You write:

     

    i am trying to access my iPhoto library that is on my external hard drive

     

    What has that to do with Time Machine?

     

    external disc is iomega for mac, assuming it is correct

     

    That's the brand, not the format. Select the drive in the Finder and go file -> Get Info. You'll see the format listed as indicated:

     

    Format Get Info.jpg

  • by albertz,

    albertz albertz Apr 2, 2016 3:41 AM in response to Terence Devlin
    Level 1 (22 points)
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    Apr 2, 2016 3:41 AM in response to Terence Devlin

    yes, it is mac os journaled. nothing to do with time machine.  but that is what i backed up with. Must I restore the entire library back to the macbook, is that the only way to access the photos on the external hard drive. ?   thanks

  • by albertz,

    albertz albertz Apr 2, 2016 3:42 AM in response to albertz
    Level 1 (22 points)
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    Apr 2, 2016 3:42 AM in response to albertz

    i can access movies, music, all documents.....just not photos-

  • by Terence Devlin,

    Terence Devlin Terence Devlin Apr 2, 2016 4:26 AM in response to albertz
    Level 10 (139,572 points)
    iLife
    Apr 2, 2016 4:26 AM in response to albertz

    I'm sorry but this is unclear. You say it has nothing to do with Time Machine but you keep asking about resting back ups? Why?

  • by albertz,

    albertz albertz Apr 2, 2016 8:33 AM in response to Terence Devlin
    Level 1 (22 points)
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    Apr 2, 2016 8:33 AM in response to Terence Devlin

    resting backups? not sure what you mean.  i have many backups (all on an external hard drive).  I cannot access any of the photos on said backups.  looking for a way to have access to photos on the backup. 

  • by Terence Devlin,Helpful

    Terence Devlin Terence Devlin Apr 2, 2016 9:19 AM in response to albertz
    Level 10 (139,572 points)
    iLife
    Apr 2, 2016 9:19 AM in response to albertz

    Sorry that was a typo - I meant restoring.

     

    So you're not actually trying to

     

    access my iPhoto library that is on my external hard drive

     

    instead you're trying to access photos in the back ups? IN the case of any back up the only way to do that is to restore.

  • by albertz,

    albertz albertz Apr 2, 2016 9:20 AM in response to Terence Devlin
    Level 1 (22 points)
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    Apr 2, 2016 9:20 AM in response to Terence Devlin

    yes the library is in a backup...thanks.

  • by albertz,

    albertz albertz Apr 2, 2016 9:23 AM in response to albertz
    Level 1 (22 points)
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    Apr 2, 2016 9:23 AM in response to albertz

    just for curiosity....why can i access all other aspects of the backups and not the photographs?

    whaddya think

  • by Old Toad,Apple recommended

    Old Toad Old Toad Apr 2, 2016 9:55 AM in response to albertz
    Level 10 (141,304 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 2, 2016 9:55 AM in response to albertz

    If you have Time Machine you can't open an iPhoto library from the backup directly.  It must be restored from the backup as shown in this screenshot. 

    iP9.6TMlibrestore.png

     

    Also one should not try accessing any type of file in the Time Machine backup.  All files must be restored to the boot drive before using.  You could corrupt the backup so that you would not be able to retrieve any file from it.

    OTsig.png

  • by Terence Devlin,Apple recommended

    Terence Devlin Terence Devlin Apr 2, 2016 10:43 PM in response to albertz
    Level 10 (139,572 points)
    iLife
    Apr 2, 2016 10:43 PM in response to albertz

    As Leonie says on your other thread, you can access the Masters, but you're not just backing up photos in an iPhoto Library, but an entire ecosystem of interlinked databases, files, caches and previews. In effect, within your Library a photo is not just a photo, but an image plus all your virtual editing and added metadata. Not a simple thing.