Can not copy photos libraries to external drive.

Question

Level 1

8 points

Can not copy photos libraries to external drive.

I had lots of problems with the old external drive thus I decided to back it up and then copy all to new faster external drive.

I copied old IPhoto library to new external drive and than tried to copy one of Photos libraries (have two). Though I keep getting a message:

The volume can not be copied as identical exists, the disk does not recognize capital vs small letters.

The Names of the libraries are not the same.

Even the kind is different as one is Photo and other is Photos Library.

Copied: iPhoto Library.photolibrary

Unsuccessfully copying Photos Library 2. photoslibrary

These are system/ Photos generated names. I Got the idea of changing the same but that option is not available.

My external drive is properly formatted (Mac Os Extended (Journaled) and I think has all needed permissions and tons of space.

Any idea how to transfer these libraries and be able to use them afterwards?

Thanks

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Apr 3, 2021 11:32 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Best reply

TonyCollinet

Level 7

23,861 points

Apr 5, 2021 3:19 PM in response to AgnAggie

So your first problem is that the new drive is not formatted correctly. (If the ignore ownership option is not there, then it is not a format compatible with Photos library.

Your second problem is that you are copying from a case sensitive drive to a non case sensitive one. So there may be two files on the source drive with identical filenames, but with different cases in some of the characters. When these are both copied to the destination, because the destination will ignore case, you get a "same name" warning.

Step one - format your new drive as APFS or MacOS extended, journaled., and make sure the ignore ownership checkbox is checked.

Reply

Answer 2

AgnAggie Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 5, 2021 1:55 PM in response to TonyCollinet

Hi, thank you for the reply.

I am trying to restore the libraries to new external disk from back up drive and there is no ownership info available.

The new drive is definitely not case sensitive.

I tired to restore one of the libraries to the computer but again got the same message:

which is very confusing since on the computer I do not have any Photos or iPhoto libraries.

Thank you

Reply

Answer 3

AgnAggie Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 12, 2021 9:34 AM in response to TonyCollinet

Hi,

Thank you for all useful and helpful directions.

Since my old library was formatted case sensitive while the new drive is in recommended Case- Insensitive.

How do I go around to copy the libraries (since obviously there could be overlap in naming)

Is there any cloning program that has to be used or

some way around it.

Thanks

Reply

Answer 4

Apr 3, 2021 1:46 PM in response to AgnAggie

Hi

Have you checked the box "ignore ownership on this volume"?

Or are any of the drives formatted case sensitive?

Reply

Answer 5

AgnAggie Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 5, 2021 1:58 PM in response to AgnAggie

the back up drive is formatted Mac OS Extended journaled but this on is case sensitive.

and I believe old external drive was also case sensitive.

Reply

Can not copy photos libraries to external drive.

Similar questions