Massive File (supposedly over 562 Terabits) in my Photos software is confusing my system..

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Massive File (supposedly over 562 Terabits) in my Photos software is confusing my system..

My Mac has 1 TB of storage. This huge file is in Photos/resources/derivatives/masters/9, and when I go to "info' for that file,shows as 88 MB on disc, but size as over 562TBs. When I check System Settings, Storage, it shows 501 GB available, then the display of storage shows 563 TB, virtually all Photos - see below.

Any ideas how I can fix this?

I cannot move the file, empty it or change its contents, as far as I can tell, having tried.

iMac (2017 – 2020)

Posted on Jun 20, 2023 4:40 PM

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Answer 1

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Old Toad

Level 10

215,196 points

Jun 21, 2023 9:02 AM in response to Baldie 752

Rebuild the Spotlight index for your drive and then check the sizes: How to rebuild the Spotlight index on your Mac - Apple Support.

If that doesn't help give this a try: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following;

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.

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Answer 2

Jun 20, 2023 11:51 PM in response to Baldie 752

Weird. Have you tried if Disk Utility sees something wrong or can fix it?

Repair a storage device in Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support

https://eclecticlight.co/2023/04/04/getting-more-from-disk-utilitys-first-aid/

What does the Terminal say about the offending folder or its contents ('ls -al' or something like that)?

Backup before doing anything else.

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Answer 3

Baldie 752 Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 5, 2023 1:56 PM in response to Old Toad

Had tried Disc Utility, repair in regular mode and in safe mode - no luck. Contemplated trying to delete the entire Photos software, but could not figure out to do it, so backed up and then reloaded entire OS Ventura from scratch, so wiped everything. On resetting up, lo and behold problem gone, but a hard way to have to fix it.

What is alarming is I had no idea how the corruption started (as Disc utility eventually said there was a disc issue).

Thanks for the comments - appreciated.

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Massive File (supposedly over 562 Terabits) in my Photos software is confusing my system..

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