joakley

Q: iPhoto Upgrade Catch 22

Friend running MacOS 10.7.5 wanted to update the OS but stick with iPhoto. So, we updated to Mavericks before realizing that she had an “old” version of iPhoto, version 9.1.5, which I figured we could update later. (In hindsight, I should have updated iPhoto when she was still on 10.7.5, but here we are.)

 

The combination of OS 10.9.5 and iPhoto 9.1.5 shows iPhoto as a non-launchable program. When I look at her App Store > Purchases, it shows iPhoto as “installed” and button is greyed out. So, I figured no problem, I kept all the iPhoto updaters from that era. However, when I run the 9.2.1, 9.3.1 or 9.4 or 9.4.3 updater, they all report that “the version of iPhoto installed on this Mac must be updated through the App Store” — which now is not possible.

 

I also have the iLife ’11 DVD, so I uninstalled her copy of iPhoto (the app and the receipt files located both in /Library/Receipts and in /var/db/receipts) and installed from iLife ’11.  Installed just fine. However, I’m left with a non-launchable iPhoto, although it’s a slightly newer version 9.2.1.  When I run any of the updaters (9.2.3, 9.3, etc), it gives me the error message “iPhoto 9.1 or later is required to install this update.” which is a bogus message, but probably something that Apple has ceased to care about.

 

As far as I know, there was never an iPhoto 9.6.1 updater put out by Apple — by that time it was updated via the App Store.

 

Any ideas on how I an get a runable version of iPhoto on this Mavericks Mac? (Yosemite is not the answer for other reasons I won’t go into). I do have Mavericks installed on a bootable external with an iPhoto that works (not exactly sure which version, but probably either 9.4.3 or 9.6.1). I know I could copy the app, but what support files also need to be copied.  Or is there some way to “trick” the current updaters into working?

MacBook Pro (13-inch Early 2011), OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

Posted on Jun 4, 2016 2:21 PM

Close

Q: iPhoto Upgrade Catch 22

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by theratter,Solvedanswer

    theratter theratter Jun 4, 2016 2:50 PM in response to joakley
    Level 4 (3,907 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 4, 2016 2:50 PM in response to joakley

    Terence Devlin

    Apr 14, 2015 2:21 PM

    Re: Is Iphoto gone ? i want it back!

     

    Go to the App Store and check out the Purchases List. If iPhoto is there then it will be v9.6.1

     

    If it is there, then drag your existing iPhoto app (not the library, just the app) to the trash

     

    Install the App from the App Store.

     

    Sometimes iPhoto is not visible on the Purchases List. it may be hidden. See this article for details on how to unhide it.

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4928

     

    One question often asked: Will I lose my Photos if I reinstall?

     

    iPhoto the application and the iPhoto Library are two different parts of the iPhoto programme. So, reinstalling the app should not affect the Library. BUT you should always have a back up before doing this kind of work. Always.

  • by joakley,

    joakley joakley Jun 4, 2016 4:01 PM in response to theratter
    Level 1 (29 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 4, 2016 4:01 PM in response to theratter

    As I mentioned in my question, iPhoto is listed under the Purchases tab, it's just that button next to it is grayed out and says "installed".  So, I trashed the iPhoto app and the "receipts" located in /var/db/receipts, however it still insists that iPhoto is 'installed'.

  • by theratter,

    theratter theratter Jun 4, 2016 5:50 PM in response to joakley
    Level 4 (3,907 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 4, 2016 5:50 PM in response to joakley

    Quit and restart the App Store. Be sure there are no copies anywhere on the computer and Empty the one in the Trash. If you have a backup disk connected then detach it. Then try again.

     

    If it still isn't possible then what you have is not eligible.

  • by joakley,

    joakley joakley Jun 6, 2016 10:12 AM in response to theratter
    Level 1 (29 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 6, 2016 10:12 AM in response to theratter

    I don't think the app store method is going to work. No matter what, it shows iPhoto as "installed" but grayed out.  I guess I was hoping more for getting one of the previously downloaded updaters to work -- to get past that bogus error message that says you have to have iPhoto 9.1 or higher -- obviously the updater isn't looking at the actual installed version (which in this case is 9.2.1), but something else.  Anybody know?

  • by joakley,

    joakley joakley Jun 6, 2016 10:47 AM in response to joakley
    Level 1 (29 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 6, 2016 10:47 AM in response to joakley

    Turns out that the iPhoto version was being reported incorrectly. It was really version 9.0 (from the iLife '11 DVD) not 9.2.1 as it said in the GetInfo box, so all of those later updaters were being honest. What I really needed was the 9.1 updater found here: https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1322?locale=en_US

    Once I got 9.1 installed, I was able to bring it up to 9.4.3, which will work just fine.