Error Code - 36 can't copy iPhoto library to external HD

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Level 1

8 points

Error Code - 36 can't copy iPhoto library to external HD

I have read a number of topics about the rather broad Error Code - 36 but I'm wondering if I am missing something.

Briefly:

1) iPhoto libray is on a MBP and is approx. 48 GB and 17,000+ pictures in size

2) Every couple of weeks I use finder to manually copy my iPhoto library to an external HD. Been doing it for ages, no issues.

3) Just tried it and got the Error Code - 36 after it has copied 37.5 MB only.

Here is what I have tried, and when I say "didn't work" I mean it still won't let me copy the library to the external HD:

A) Repaired permissions on external HD and MBP HD - didn't work.

B) Tried copying the library to two other computers on the network - didn't work.

C) Tried rebuilding the iPhoto library - didn't work

D) Tried copying the library to another location on the MBP - this DID work.

E) Tried copying the copy to the external HD - didn't work.

So based on this, it seems the issue is with the iphoto library file, not the external HD. So I figured I would try to copy a different file, something over 37.5 MB and see what happens. No joy! So at this point, I cannot copy ANY large files to any other machine OR external HD on my network.

I do have a Time Capsule which should be performing regular backups but not sure how this will help in this situation.

Here is the kicker, I upgraded to Snow Leopard a few weeks ago and I think this is the first time I have tried to back up my library. Since SL won't allow me to burn DVD's, use a Mosaic screen saver, or automatically sleep my computer is it possible SL is causing this? OH say it isn't so..............

2 x 15" MBP @ 2.53 & 2.4 GHz, Mac OS X (10.6.2), 20" iMac @ 2.4 GHz

Posted on Dec 5, 2009 10:26 AM

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Answer 1

Old Toad

Level 10

207,313 points

Dec 5, 2009 3:44 PM in response to RiverdaleMAC

2) Every couple of weeks I use finder to manually copy my iPhoto library to an external HD. Been doing it for ages, no issues.

What is the format of that external HD. If it's not OS X Extended (journaled) that may be the problem (even though you've been using it successfully for a while). If that's the case does this Apple KB document apply: Mac OS X 10.4: Error -36 alert displays when connecting to a Samba or Windows server

Are you replacing the existing backup library when you do this? If so you can greatly shorten the backup by using a backup application like Synk Standard which can do incremental backups, i.e. backup only those new or changed files. That can cut the backup time down to a minute or less. It may also allow you to copy to the external HD.

The -36 error means a bad file, . But if you were able to duplicate the library on the boot drive it should copy to the external. If you use Synk it will tell you exactly which file fails to copy. Then you can try creating a new file via Preview and substitute it in the library for copying.

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Answer 2

FUNK1196

Level 1

47 points

Dec 5, 2009 5:35 PM in response to RiverdaleMAC

I've got the same thing going on, tried A, B, C, D, and E of your options as well and they didn't work. I also tried watching the console application while the error came up to possibly get some more details, but even though i think that it should, it doesn't show up in there.

For me, this happens with both my iphoto and aperture libraries.

It doesn't happen with any other files except for these two libraries. In my aperture library, i tried transferring each file in the package, and the only file that gave me the same error was the "iphoto photo cache" folder. I deleted it, but still get the same problem.

I used to backup my libraries once a month, but after getting a new imac with Snow Leopard, i can't seem to do it anymore.

It seems to be Snow Leopard+iphoto/aperture library related.

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Answer 3

Dec 5, 2009 7:55 PM in response to RiverdaleMAC

I have the same issue as well. I tried creating a rebuild of the library using iPhoto Library Manager, but now I have the same problem with both the original and the rebuilt library. This is very troubling as I'd like to back up the library. I also recently upgraded to Snow Leopard.

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Answer 4

FUNK1196

Level 1

47 points

Dec 5, 2009 8:35 PM in response to RiverdaleMAC

After doing more experimenting/investigation i found that it for some reason has to do with the format of the eternal hard drive being FAT32.

I tested on two different drives (both FAT32) and neither worked. I tried formatting one again with FAT32, and still it didn't work.

It's very odd because any other file i tried to transfer would be just fine... only my iphoto and aperture libraries had issues.
What's also odd is that i could both libraries to FAT32 in regular Leopard (10.5.8)

I formatted my external to Mac OS X Extended (Journaled) and it is now transferring just fine.

Apple definitely needs to address this issue because it was not the drive (i tried two externals), and it is not any problematic permission (at least not any that i have access to), and it only affects these two libraries (at least as far as i've discovered).

Other than formatting to the Mac HD formatting, i think the only solution is to wait for Apple to fix this.

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Answer 5

Dec 6, 2009 12:35 AM in response to FUNK1196

I confirmed the same tonight. I was able to backup the iPhoto Library to a HFS+ formatted drive. Unfortunately, I am still unable to backup to the Time Capsule. I guess it makes sense that the Time Capsule is formatted to FAT32, but I never had this issue prior to Snow Leopard.

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Answer 6

woody a

Level 1

5 points

Dec 6, 2009 8:40 AM in response to RiverdaleMAC

A temporary fix, for me...maybe will help someone else. Agreeing to all of you above. My issues were getting the 'Finder Error Code -36' when even just going from the iMac to a flash drive (Fat32, Fat16). This began after the 10.6.2 upgrade in Snow Leopard. After trying many things and talking to AppleStore and AppleCare believe now will need to wait for their fix eventually, I hope, as they couldn't help now. My fix for now was to reinstall Snow Leopard, which from the disc, put on 10.6. Now using 10.6 and all is working good like before. I had, I believe, been using 10.6.1 before and was good then I think, so that version may work again. I am reluctant to do 10.6.1 for now, mainly because don't have the time to fix again if it doesn't work. You might try it though, I will eventually. For now...10.6 seems ok, so if you didn't have issues before with it, you may want to go back to it until Apple does their thing, hopefully soon.

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Answer 7

RiverdaleMAC Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 6, 2009 9:49 AM in response to RiverdaleMAC

Well it is both disheartening and encouraging that I am clearly not the only one suffering. Next thing, how do we make Apple aware of this so it gets added to their apparently ever growing list of SL fixes required? I know you can send a "report to Apple" when you have a crash etc. but how do we let them know about something like this?

*_Old Toad:_* I can't check the format of the external right now, but I am almost certain it is OS X Extended (journaled). The fact I could copy the file around within the MBP HD itself was also rather puzzling.

I do a "full" replace manually, using Finder, plus automatic TC backups. Presumably the TC has been doing incremental backups. Having said that, John P, posted up above here, that he is having TC issues as well! I generally have my iPhoto library on three computers, and the TC, the external HD, plus another external kept in a fireproof safe, plus another external HD at the in-Laws, plus burned on DVD's. I like to cover all my bases!

I will check out the Synk program and see what happens with that.

Thanks everybody for adding to the discussion.

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Answer 8

Old Toad

Level 10

207,313 points

Dec 6, 2009 9:57 AM in response to RiverdaleMAC

There are two ways:

1 - http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphoto.html
2 - join the Developers area and submit a formal bug report.

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Answer 9

RiverdaleMAC Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 6, 2009 3:15 PM in response to RiverdaleMAC

This is now getting a little ridiculous:

Just tried syncing my iPhone to the MBP like I usually do and guess what - "Can't sync due to error 50". A very quick Google of this error is starting to point to problems with iPhoto............

It is just going from bad to worse.

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Answer 10

RiverdaleMAC Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 6, 2009 3:56 PM in response to RiverdaleMAC

On a hunch, through iTunes, I UNCHECK sync my iPhoto events to my iPhone and sure enough the phone synced instantly.............I am starting to notice a trend here and I don't like it 😟

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Answer 11

Dec 15, 2009 10:08 PM in response to Old Toad

I just submitted my feedback / bug report via the iPhoto feedback URL Old Toad provided. Thanks fellow Temecula Apple Power User!

Message was edited by: John Polaschek

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Answer 12

Dec 20, 2009 1:48 PM in response to John Polaschek

I was suffering the same problem with a FAT16 SD card, using my MacBook Pro with Snow Leopard (OS X 10.6.2). I was stumped until I read this thread.

The fix: erased the card using the Disk Utility v 11.5, and reformatted it to Mac OS X Extended (Journaled). I was then able to copy files to the SD card with no problem.

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Answer 13

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,254 points

Dec 20, 2009 1:49 PM in response to Gerolsteiner_2008

The fix: erased the card using the Disk Utility v 11.5, and reformatted it to Mac OS X Extended (Journaled). I was then able to copy files to the SD card with no problem.

Be aware that your camera will likely no longer recognise this card.

Regards

TD

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Answer 14

FUNK1196

Level 1

47 points

Dec 30, 2009 10:07 PM in response to FUNK1196

Just ran into the problem again with a flash drive. FAT32 format, unable to write to the disk, this time it was from my macbook with snow leopard (my first post was from my i5 imac to an external hard drive with FAT32).

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Answer 15

xs4all

Level 1

0 points

Jan 2, 2010 9:52 AM in response to FUNK1196

I've just hit the same problem trying to copy my 53GB Aperture library, but not with a FAT32 drive. The source drive is formatted Mac OS Extended and the target is formatted Mac OS Extended (journalized).

I tried reformatting the target drive to the extended format, but still got the error 36 on copy.

I don't think the issue is isolated to FAT32 drive formatting.

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