iPhoto Missing Original Files preventing iCloud upload
Hi folks, in attempting to upload files from my iPhoto app on my iMac into my iCloud, I get the following error;
"35 referenced files in your library will not upload to iCloud Photos. In the Photos app, select the referenced files in your library and choose “Consolidate…” from the File menu to copy the original files into the library"
Using forums I found out how to use a New Smart Album to source the 35 photos successfully. However when I then highlight these and select "consolidate" I get the following error;
"Missing file. Photos with unavailable original files cannot be opened. The original photo “Edwins - 20.jpg” is either offline or cannot be found. Click Find Original to reconnect." This same error appears for all other 34 photos.
On Clicking "Find Original" I'm presented with my Finder page and prompted to "Choose Folder" from my iMac folders which run into the, well lots!
My guess is that these 35 photos from my library of 15k, no longer have the original assosiated in my iMac (they date back many years). Feeling i had no alternative, I have then attempted to delete the 35 referenced copies in the New Smart Album. But whilst they disappeared from the Smart Album on attempting to switch iPhotos to iCloud back on I get the very same error message about the 35 files as described above all over again.
I'm caught in a doom loop. And it seems to be preventing my 15k photos and films uploading to my 2T iCloud storage. Documents and desktop seem upload fine.
I'm running a 2014 iMac macOs Big Sur Version 11.7.7 which is up to date. Yes its take me this long to finally get around to using iCloud :(
Thanks folks in advance for help and advice!
iMac 27″, macOS 11.7