Insufficient disk space.

Question

Level 1

14 points

Insufficient disk space.

When I attempt to import photos into an existing iPhoto library, I get the following error message: Insufficient Disk Space - iPhoto cannot import your photos because there is not enough free space on the volume containing your iPhoto library. I tried creating a new library, but the same thing happens with it. I have iPhoto 9.4.2. I have 2.39 TB of free disk space on my hard drive. Is there some way of increasing the disk space size of a library? Thanks.

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Apr 18, 2013 1:41 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

361,709 points

Apr 18, 2013 1:45 PM in response to frjoe

Insufficient disk space has nothing to do with the iPhoto Library. It means there is not enough space on the disk drive to make the iPhoto Library any larger.

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Answer 2

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,242 points

Apr 18, 2013 3:13 PM in response to frjoe

If you have 2+ TB of space on the disk then it sounds like a bogus report.

Where is your Library stored?

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Answer 3

frjoe Author

Level 1

14 points

Apr 19, 2013 10:25 AM in response to Yer_Man

it is stored on my hard drive

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Answer 4

frjoe Author

Level 1

14 points

Apr 19, 2013 10:29 AM in response to Kappy

2.39 TB of free disk space should be enough.

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Answer 5

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,242 points

Apr 19, 2013 11:27 AM in response to frjoe

As a Test:

Hold down the option (or alt) key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Create Library'

Import a few pics into this new, blank library. Is the Problem repeated there?

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Answer 6

frjoe Author

Level 1

14 points

Apr 20, 2013 2:13 PM in response to Yer_Man

yes it is.

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Answer 7

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,242 points

Apr 20, 2013 2:15 PM in response to frjoe

That's curious.

Another test:

Create a new account (systempreferences -> accounts or Users & Groups on 10.7 and 10.8), make a new Library in that account, import some shots and see if the problem is repeated there. If it is, then a re-install of the app might be indicated. If it's not, then it's likely the app is okay and the problem is something in the main account.

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Answer 8

frjoe Author

Level 1

14 points

Apr 22, 2013 2:52 PM in response to Yer_Man

I tried the new user approach with the same result. Then I re-installed iPhoto, but still have the same problem.

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Answer 9

LarryHN

Level 10

106,110 points

Apr 22, 2013 3:19 PM in response to frjoe

Internal hard drive or external hard drive? What format is the hard drive? Do you have multiple hard drives attached? Do you have any of your hard drives partitioned?

LN

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Answer 10

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,242 points

Apr 22, 2013 3:25 PM in response to frjoe

Did you delete the receipts before reinstalling?

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Answer 11

frjoe Author

Level 1

14 points

Apr 22, 2013 4:44 PM in response to Yer_Man

No ... what are they?

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Answer 12

frjoe Author

Level 1

14 points

Apr 22, 2013 4:47 PM in response to LarryHN

Internal hard drive backed up by an external hard drive. Mac OS Extended (Journaled). No partitions.

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Answer 13

LarryHN

Level 10

106,110 points

Apr 22, 2013 4:53 PM in response to frjoe

And your iPhoto library is on your internal drive? And it is the internal drive that has 2.39 GB of free space? For sure? depress and hold the option key and launch iPhoto reselect the internal drive copy of the iphoto library just to verify

LN

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Answer 14

frjoe Author

Level 1

14 points

Apr 22, 2013 5:24 PM in response to LarryHN

Yes, my iPhoto libraries are on my internal hard drive. It is the internal hard drive that has 2.39 TB of free disk space. For sure. I even ejected my external hard drive and tried to add photos to iPhoto, but still the same error message.

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Answer 15

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,242 points

Apr 22, 2013 11:14 PM in response to frjoe

To re-install iPhoto

1. Put the iPhoto.app in the trash (Drag it from your Applications Folder to the trash)

2a: On 10.5: Go to HD/Library/Receipts and remove any pkg file there with iPhoto in the name.

2b: On 10.6: Those receipts may be found as follows: In the Finder use the Go menu and select Go To Folder. In the resulting window type

/var/db/receipts/

2c: on 10.7 or later they're at

/private/var/db/receipts

A Finder Window will open at that location and you can remove the iPhoto pkg files.

3. Re-install.

If you purchased an iLife Disk, then iPhoto is on it.

If iPhoto was installed on your Mac when you go it then it’s on the System Restore disks that came with your Mac. Insert the first one and opt to ‘Install Bundled Applications Only.

If you purchased it on the App Store or have a Recent Mac you can find it in your Purchases List.

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