vspmc
Level 1 (4 points)
Notebooks

Q: Cannot Restore Photos Library

A few weeks ago my 2010 Macbook Pro began to restart by itself every hour or so. I ended up wiping it and restoring it with my Time Machine backup on my Time Capsule though the problem was still there.

 

My second solution was to backup all my files to a separate drive and then restore to new, having a clean slate with my important files. However, when I imported my 80gb Photos Library (Photos Library.photoslibrary file), it says there are only 358 pictures, not the 20,000 or so that I know I have. I have done this once before where all I have to do is select the Photos Library file in the Photos app and Walla! I would have all my photos. This did not work this time.

 

I tried restoring with the Time Machine backup again though it has the same problem (only shows 358 pictures). Currently I am sitting with a fresh install of El Capitan and an 80Gb Photo file. What can I do to fix this?

 

Already Tried:

- Repairing Photos Library

- Restarting Macbook

- Clean install of El Capitan

- Using an older Photos Library file saved in my Time Capsule

- Upgrading to MacOS Sierra because why not try when you are desperate?

 

Any ideas/solution would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading this. My photos library goes back to 1997 so anything will help.

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on Aug 9, 2016 2:04 PM

by Old Toad,Solvedanswer
Old Toad Old Toad
Level 10 (141,105 points)
Mac OS X
A:
My second solution was to backup all my files to a separate drive and then restore to new,

How was that EHD formatted and connected to your Mac.  It must be formatted as shown in this screenshot and connected directly by cable:

ignoreownership.jpg

 

One thing you can do is to open the restored library package

Popen.png

and look in the Masters folder to see if your original files are there or you only have the 358 that Photos indicates or if you have all of them.  Do not make any changes, just look and get an idea if they are there or not.

OTsig.png

Posted on Aug 9, 2016 2:38 PM

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vspmc

Q: Cannot Restore Photos Library

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Old Toad,Solvedanswer

    Old Toad Old Toad Aug 9, 2016 2:38 PM in response to vspmc
    Level 10 (141,105 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 9, 2016 2:38 PM in response to vspmc
    My second solution was to backup all my files to a separate drive and then restore to new,

    How was that EHD formatted and connected to your Mac.  It must be formatted as shown in this screenshot and connected directly by cable:

    ignoreownership.jpg

     

    One thing you can do is to open the restored library package

    Popen.png

    and look in the Masters folder to see if your original files are there or you only have the 358 that Photos indicates or if you have all of them.  Do not make any changes, just look and get an idea if they are there or not.

    OTsig.png

  • by vspmc,

    vspmc vspmc Aug 9, 2016 2:41 PM in response to Old Toad
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Aug 9, 2016 2:41 PM in response to Old Toad

    Thanks! I honestly don't know why I didn't think of showing the contents of the file, after trying so many things and something this simple is the solution. I found most of my pictures (around 18,000) besides a few folders, though I do believe those are on my phone. Thank you very much!

  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad Aug 9, 2016 2:45 PM in response to vspmc
    Level 10 (141,105 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 9, 2016 2:45 PM in response to vspmc

    Since they are there try repairing the library according to the instructions in this Apple document: Repair Your Library.

    Warning: If you use iCloud Photo Library with Photos, this action will cause Photos to upload all your pictures again (from Fix missing or incorrect thumbnails in Photos - Apple Support).