Can't open my library anymore with my iPhoto version.

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Level 1

8 points

Can't open my library anymore with my iPhoto version.

Hello, some weeks ago I shared my MacBook's harddisk on my home network to move some files to a MacBook Pro. I am using OSX 10.6.8 while the MacBook Pro was using OSX 10.7.2 and obviously the two iPhoto versions are different (mine is iPhoto '11 v.9.2.3).

I tried to open my iPhoto library using that MacBook Pro but I did not any modification. When I finished moving the files I noticed that my iPhoto was not able to open my library anymore.

The answer, as you can see on the attacchment, is: "You can't open your current photo library using this version of iPhoto. You have made changes to your photo library using a newer version of iPhoto. Please quit and use the latest version of iPhoto.".

I have already tried to use cmd+alt while opening iPhoto and I did "rebuild database from automatic backup" but I noticed that the result wasn't so good: some rotated photos had a strange shape. So, I used Time Machine to revert back to my last backup of the library.

Do you think that "iPhoto Library Manager" (http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/) can be useful to solve my problem? Otherwise, since I did not any modification to my library using the newer version of iPhoto, is there any way (or file to edit) to change the "higher library version" to mine iPhoto version?

(I can't upgrade to a newer once since 9.2.3 is the last one for Snow Leopard).

Thanks,

Emanuele

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6.3)

Posted on Aug 21, 2013 8:17 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,308 points

Aug 21, 2013 8:29 AM in response to P|xeL

If you opened the Library then the library was modified to the new format.

There is a method for reverting versions detailed on the Library Manager site that folks have had success with.

http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/Help/downgrading%20a%20library%20to%20an%20ea rlier%20version%20of%20iphoto.html

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Answer 2

LarryHN

Level 10

106,110 points

Aug 21, 2013 8:31 AM in response to P|xeL

IPLM can rebuild your library to the older version - directions are on their web site

Or you can restore yoru backujp from before you agreed to convert the library to a newer version

And note that it is critical to read warnings before accepting them - when you opened yor library with the newer version you were told that it would be converted and could no longer be used with older versions - you said to continue so that happened exactly as you werer told it would

LN

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Answer 3

P|xeL Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 21, 2013 8:33 AM in response to Yer_Man

I have already seen it. I am not sure if it will save my "Faces and Places" settings... tonight obviously I will have a try.

I am looking for an easier way to do it (maybe inside some .plist files... or I don't know...).

Thanks anyway,

Emanuele

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Answer 4

P|xeL Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 21, 2013 8:35 AM in response to LarryHN

I don't remember of that alert but since the other MacBook Pro received some updates that day is possible that I thought that it was doing a sort of update for its own stuffs instead of phisically upgrade my library.

Thanks,

Emanuele

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Answer 5

LarryHN

Level 10

106,110 points

Aug 21, 2013 8:37 AM in response to P|xeL

The only "easier" way to undo your mistake is to restore your backup for before you made the mistake - that is why you always must have a good backup - people, computers and software make mistakes and a backup is the solution to all of there including yours

Once again you can either restore yoru backup or use IPLM to "downgrade" you library - as fully described in the support material this will keep all things that can be shared - so projects are not kept

LN

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Answer 6

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,308 points

Aug 21, 2013 8:37 AM in response to P|xeL

There is no other "easier way...inside some .plist files". That's the only way.

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Answer 7

P|xeL Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 21, 2013 8:43 AM in response to LarryHN

Ok, thank you all. At least now I am sure that the only way is that one.

Tonight firstly I will try to restore a backup from Time Machine, otherwise I will use the software as suggested.

Thanks again,

Emanuele

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Answer 8

P|xeL Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 22, 2013 12:22 AM in response to P|xeL

Just to let you know: Time Machine worked like a charm. I rolled back my library and everything is fine now. I think I will use iPhoto Library Manager to subdivide my library in different categories.

Thanks for your suggestions,

Emanuele

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