"Merging Library" is stuck

Question

"Merging Library" is stuck

In an effort to fix the problem of not being able to see items in the trash, as described in this thread <https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3183852?answerId=15652882022#15652882022>, I had created a new library and started importing the old library. Well, after a little over 12 hours the process is not finished and it appears to be stuck at about 80% and now I don't know what I should do. I'm inclinced to just wait but I have no idea of how long this will take and I have work on images to do. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Aperture 3

Posted on Jul 20, 2011 6:46 AM

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Answer 1

Jul 20, 2011 7:11 AM in response to Michael Allbritton

Sounds like the initial library has a problem have you run the Aperture 3: Troubleshooting Basics on it?

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Answer 2

Jul 20, 2011 7:17 AM in response to Frank Caggiano

Yes, I ran all 3 first aid tools (repair permissions, repair DB, rebuild DB) before creating the new library and starting the import.

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Answer 3

Jul 20, 2011 9:55 AM in response to Michael Allbritton

Is there anything I can do with this situation other than just force quitting Aperture?

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Answer 4

Jul 20, 2011 9:58 AM in response to Michael Allbritton

Hmm, I don't think a force quit is a great idea. How big is that library? I'm assuming you have a backup?

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Answer 5

Jul 20, 2011 10:00 AM in response to shuttersp33d

Yeah, I was thinking it isn't a good idea either. But... this has been going on for almost 16 hours.

The original library is 100 GB; yes, I do have a backup.

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Answer 6

Jul 20, 2011 10:19 AM in response to Michael Allbritton

Well as long as you have a back-up... Frank's suggestion seems to be the most sound, but given that you did that before the import, maybe there is another issue. Did you try any of the other steps in Troubleshooting Basics?

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Answer 7

Jul 20, 2011 10:59 AM in response to shuttersp33d

I think for now, to try to get out of this state the app is in, I'm going to do a shut of the entire laptop. Hopefully that will be more graceful than just force quitting.

Then I'll restore an earlier version of the libray and run the 3 first aid tasks again before trying this again. Hopefully something will then show me the contents of the Trash.

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Answer 8

Jul 20, 2011 1:42 PM in response to Michael Allbritton

After all that I had to force quit Aperture, and I just rebooted for good measure. I deleted the new library I had created, then restored an earlier version from my backup. Now Aperture is "processing" again.

I'm back to having the same problem I was trying to fix.I can't see anything in the Trash.

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Answer 9

Jul 20, 2011 5:54 PM in response to Michael Allbritton

If you create a new empty library and import a handful of images into it, import new not move over from your original library, does the trash work as expected?

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Answer 10

Jul 20, 2011 10:04 PM in response to Frank Caggiano

Yes, it does. I exported a few masters from my old library, created a new library and imported the photos. Then deleted a few of them and they show up in the Trash as they should.

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Answer 11

Jul 21, 2011 6:55 AM in response to Michael Allbritton

In the Aperture library package are two folders, one named Folders and the other named Albums. Inside these two folders are files, one named TrashFolder.apfolder the other named trashAlbum.apalbum.

With Aperture not running move those two to the desktop and then start Aperture holding down the option and command keys and run repair library. The two files will be recreated. Can't guarantee it will correct your trash problem but its worth a shot.

As always whenever you're mucking about in the package there is always the chance that the library could be damaged so a backup is a goo idea.

good luck

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Answer 12

Jul 21, 2011 10:05 AM in response to Frank Caggiano

Thanks for the suggestion, Frank. However, it did not work. This is really puzzling to me.

I think I'll do this again and try Rebuilding the DB instead of repairing this time.

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Answer 13

Jul 21, 2011 10:25 AM in response to Michael Allbritton

Ah, finally. Rebulding the DB worked. I have the contents of my Trash back and visible. So now I don't think I need to create a new library.

Just so you know, Frank, I did have to choose Rebuld DB, not Repair, for your suggestion to work.

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Answer 14

Jul 21, 2011 12:47 PM in response to Michael Allbritton

I always like to start off with repair, its less of a starin on the library and then move to rebuild if that doesn't work.

Thanks for the feedback and glad you got it working.

regards

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Answer 15

Jul 21, 2011 2:41 PM in response to Frank Caggiano

That makes sense. Thanks again for the help.

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