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Not all iPhotos copy to external harddrive

In Finder, I am trying to merely copy my iPhoto Library to a new external HD. Only half of the GB are copied. I get a message that says "The Finder cannot complete the operation because some data in iPhoto Library could not be read or written (error code -36). When I look at my permission on the iPhoto Library (ctrl-I), it says that I have permissions to read and write. How do I overcome this??
Thanks for your help

PowerBook G4, Mac OS X (10.4.2), 1.5 GB RAM

Posted on Dec 9, 2007 2:31 PM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Dec 9, 2007 3:08 PM

Bob Lehman

That 36 error is often associated with file permissions. So, Download BatchMod from

http://macchampion.com/arbysoft/

And apply it to the iPhoto Library Folder using the settings found here:

http://homepage.mac.com/toad.hall/.Pictures/Forum/BatChmod.png

(Credit to Old Toad for this one).

Make sure you select to Unlock Files and Apply to Enclosed Files and Folders.

Regards

TD
3 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Dec 9, 2007 3:08 PM in response to Bob Lehman

Bob Lehman

That 36 error is often associated with file permissions. So, Download BatchMod from

http://macchampion.com/arbysoft/

And apply it to the iPhoto Library Folder using the settings found here:

http://homepage.mac.com/toad.hall/.Pictures/Forum/BatChmod.png

(Credit to Old Toad for this one).

Make sure you select to Unlock Files and Apply to Enclosed Files and Folders.

Regards

TD

Dec 17, 2007 5:10 AM in response to Bob Lehman

I successfully downloaded/installed Batchmod and customized it as you suggested. There was no barberpole/thermometer that said that the program was running. I would let it run for an hour (I did this multiple times) and would try moving the files to my harddrive again with no results (still gave me a -36 error). Any other suggestions? I appreciate any help. Thanks

Dec 17, 2007 10:52 AM in response to Bob Lehman

Bob:

Do you have your external HD setup to ignore ownership? If not, do so and try again. That may help.

BatChmod should not take very long to run. When it's done you'll get a window asking for a donation and the Quit button. (It will crash frequently when closing but that's not a problem).

Try selecting the library package and bring up the Info window (type Control-i). In the Sharing and Permissions section set the privileged to Read and Write for both the owner and group and read only for Others. Then click on the Apply to all... button. See if that will clear it up.

Lastly, there's another application for setting privileges. It does the same as BatCHmod except for unlocking files. It's iRepair. You might give it a try with these settings. You can set Others to read only if so desired.


User uploaded file Happy Holidays



TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
I've created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. It's compatible with iPhoto 08 libraries and Leopard. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

Not all iPhotos copy to external harddrive

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