iPhoto '11 folder structure

Sure, thanks -- everything's new and latest, but here are the details:

Yesterday, I got a new MacBook Pro, running OS 10.8.4 and iPhoto '11 (version 9.4.3).

My old computer is running OS 10.6.8. I'm not certain which version of iPhoto it was running, because when some computer techs replaced my hard drive recently, they didn't take steps to keep the applications, and didn't reset the admin password. Since my CD/DVD drive is busted, I couldn't create a new admin password, which meant I couldn't reinstall iPhoto from the old disk and get updates. It may have been iPhoto '08, version 6.06, but I'm not able to figure that out, and I'm hoping that's irrelevant. Buying a new computer to replace the dodgy ancient one was meant to get me out of this kind of jail.

My objective here was simply to import the old computer's iPhoto Library onto the new computer.

When I first plugged my new MacBook Pro into my old MacBook, yesterday, I connected the computers via Ethernet cable, and opened File Sharing on the old one. First I transferred assorted document folders, then music for iTunes. These transfers seemed to be fine. (The iTunes playlists are similarly absent, mind you, but I haven't even looked at that issue yet.)

I then clicked and dragged the old iPhoto Library and dragged it to the new system. It transferred roughly 18 GB of files, including about 14,000 images. All these images are opening just fine, so they're not just thumbnails.

However, it's not showing me any albums, and the old computer's iPhoto had numerous albums. When I look in Finder, there's a folder called "Albums" (with names like "%1dtN5blQQiF27mQgrTbDQ.apalbum") inside the folder "Database", but clicking one of those gets me "There is no application set to open the document '%1dtN5blQQiF27mQgrTbDQ.apalbum'."

The only error message was that the systems said that either some of the files I was trying to transfer were locked, or I didn't have permission to read them. As I said, though, I couldn't figure out how to confirm which files those were.

- History of the problem: no history, as I've had the new computer for less than 24 hours. (Personal history: I've used only Macs for my whole adult life, being an owner since 1992, so I can guarantee I'm not accidentally using any PC-type thinking on the problem.)

- Attempted fixes: I repeated your steps twice, with the same outcome each time. I then tried copying and pasting the Library, rather than dragging it, but it had the same outcome. I then tried replacing just the file AlbumData.xml, which had no effect.

Link the two machines together and use iPhoto Library Manager to rebuild the library from the old machine to the new machine.

That's probably the right solution -- but you're saying that the only option to fix a syncing issue between two versions of an Apple-built application on separate machines, is to buy an application from a third party?

No I'm not.

I'm saying that your iPhoto Library is corrupt. I'm also saying that you're not syncing anything, but trying to move a library from one machine to the other, while upgrading from some unknown version. I'm trying to combine the two processes. You don't have to buy anything. The rebuilding options in Library Manager don't require a purchase.

If you can find some other way to fix it, feel free...

Sorry about the tone -- still recovering from the failed tech support I got from the guys who installed the new drives in an attempt to extend my MacBook's life, which left me in technology jail for longer than I wanted. Unfortunately, I stayed there for quite a while, even with iPLM's help.

But success! I had to reboot both systems a few times, and turn File Sharing on and off a few times as well, but you know the old definition of insanity, trying the same thing again and again when you know it won't work? Eventually, it worked, and I don't know why. A heck of a lot of JPG files failed to come through (unrecognized format, apparently), but I'm okay with that.

As such, nothing below this point matters anymore, but it's an interesting enough series of error messages (to me, at least) that I thought it might be worth posting anyway!

Thanks for your help, Terence. I appreciate your time.

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When I click Add Library to get images from the old MacBook, I get the following error message:

"You do not have write permission to the folder /Volumes/Pictures/iPhoto Library. You may be unable to edit some or all of the photos in this library. Are you sure you want to use this folder?"

That's with File Sharing turned on, specifically giving the new computer read and write permission to the folder.

When I used File Sharing to give the new computer read/write permission to only the iPhoto Library on the old computer, I got this message on trying to add the library:

"The path you have chosen is the root level of a disk, which cannot be used as an iPhoto library. Please select a valid iPhoto library instead."

But it's not the root level, unless the new one wants me to navigate from a root level into this particular location? When I used the new computer's iPhoto to try to open the old computer's library that way, then I get this message:

"The iPhoto Library is locked, on a locked disk, or you do not have permission to make changes to it. iPhoto can try to repair the permissions."

The library's not locked, the disk isn't locked, and I've granted permission to make changes. The options provided at this point are simply "Repair" or "Quit." When I click repair, I get the following:

"iPhoto was unable to repair permissions for the library."

I'm starting to wonder if there's a block keeping me from moving in one step from version 6.06 ('08) to 9.4.3 ('11).

All of those messages, and the one about the jpegs being an unrecognised format, are symptoms of a corrupt library.

Yep, but it's rebuilt now. Thanks for your help.

I wish the OP knew what finally made things work, because I'm having the same problems. Same error messages. I'll try to duplicate the reboot & on/off protocol and see if I can get it to work - my guess is that its a sequencing issue. If that doesn't work, I'll try the iphoto library manager solution.

At least I know what version of iphoto is on my old computer - but I can't tell right now, as I'm going through an extensive charging and booting process to get it back online. Guess why I got the new MBP? 🙂