Can't view my iPhoto libary in Time Machine backup

Finder --> Pictures --> iPod Photo Cache --> iPhoto Library -->

Is that a typo, or is your iPhoto Library really inside a folder called "iPod Photo Cache". If yes, that is a bad idea. The name is reserved for a cache inside an iPhoto library, and files with this name are treated special, for example may be excluded from the backup.

It is very likely. I do not dare to try that with my library just for testing.

This looks like you corrupted your iPhoto Library at some time by accidentally dragging files from the iPhoto library package. Opening the iPhoto Library package for browsing is risky, and should only be done, when it is necessary to rescue a broken iPhoto library. There are safer ways to view your pictures. TD has a great user tip on how to view your pictures: How to Access Files in iPhoto

I'd recommend the following, before you move your iPhoto library:

• Check, where the library is, that iPhoto is currently using: Selct one of your photos in iPhoto's Browser and use the command "File > Reveal in Finder". Where is the image file located in the Finder? Inside the iPhoto Library in your iPod Photo Cache?
• Search with Spotlight, if you have more than one library: Enter ".photolibrary" into the search field.
• If you see several Libraries, open them in turn, to see which is the correct library.

Once you have identified the correct iPhoto Library, drag it to the Pictures folder.

That is the place where it should be installed.

Regards

Léonie

ninjagori,

I forgot to ask - why are you looking for the pictures on your backup drive? Is the iPhoto library in your folder "Finder --> Pictures --> iPod Photo Cache --> iPhoto Library" not working correctly? Do you need to restore yor iPhoto Library from your backup drive?

The default place for an iPhoto Library is in the "Pictures" folder in your Home folder. Is there still an iPhoto Library in this place? Have you looked in your backups in the "Pictures" folder for a backup of your iPhoto Library?

You are welcome. 🙂

My concern now, is that if I just simply move the iPhoto Library by dragging it to the main Picture folder I will loose the link between the source (which are the photoes in the iPhoto Library) and the pictures I'm looking at when opening the iPhoto application.

Moving the library between folders will not break the connection between the thumbnails and the original image files, as long as you drag the library as an entity - the whole package and not folders inside. So dragging the iPhoto library one level up, outside the "iPod Photo Cache" folder, the links shoud stay intact.

Have you checked your Time Machine preferences, if you excluded your iPhoto Library from backup?

if you press the "Options" button in the "System Preferences > Time Machine" panel, it will show a list of items, that are excluded from backup.

o.k., then try, if moving the library outside the "iPod Photo Cache" folder will get it backed up again.

Did you look inside the iPod Photo Cache folder while in Time Machine to see if there was a backup copy of the libkrary inside?

OT

Maybe it's a good query for Apple Support to figure out why Time Machine skips folders (actually a major one like iPhoto Library) without providing any notifications that these folders were excluded!

Time Machine skips caches, that can easily be rebuild, when the app is launched. None of my Time Machine backups of an iPhoto Library or an Aperture Library contains the "iPod Photo Cache" folder. That saves a lot of space on the backup volume and makes backing up faster. It was just very unfortunate, that you stored your iPhoto Library inside one of these caches.

With an earlier version of iPhoto and system TM wouldn't backup an iPhoto Library if the library was opened. But that was fixed with the new system. It could have been Snow Leopard, I don't remember. That young whippersnapper Terence, might remember. 🙂