NorthernMD
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Can't move my iPhoto library to external hard drive?

Tried to move my iPhoto library to my external hard drive, but got an error message.

MACBOOK, iWorks08

Posted on Sep 17, 2013 4:08 AM

by Terence Devlin,Solvedanswer
Terence Devlin Terence Devlin
Level 10 (139,597 points)
iLife
A:

The -36 error is an i/o one and basically it means that the Finder has found some file or other that it can't copy becuase it's damaged or has incorrect permissions or somesuch.

 

The most simple workaround is to use a back up application to copy the Library over. Any back up app that stores in the library the same format will do - for instance Chronosync (http://www.econtechnologies.com/pages/cs/chrono_overview.html) - but there are many others. Many will have a free trial too...

Posted on Sep 17, 2013 5:07 AM

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NorthernMD

Q: Can't move my iPhoto library to external hard drive?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Klaus1,

    Klaus1 Klaus1 Sep 17, 2013 4:17 AM in response to NorthernMD
    Level 8 (48,913 points)
    Sep 17, 2013 4:17 AM in response to NorthernMD

    This is our resident iPhoto guru, Terence Devlin's, advice:

     

    You can move your iPhoto Library to an external disk or new Mac:

     

    1. Quit iPhoto

     

    2. Copy the iPhoto Library Folder as an entity from your Pictures Folder to the External Disk.

     

    3. Hold down the option (or alt) key while launching iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library' and navigate to the new location. From that point on this will be the default location of your library.

     

    4. Test the library and when you're sure all is well, trash the one on your internal HD to free up space.

  • by NorthernMD,

    NorthernMD NorthernMD Sep 17, 2013 4:54 AM in response to Klaus1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 17, 2013 4:54 AM in response to Klaus1

    I tried what you recommended. 

    Dialogue box:  Copying iPhoto library to ___________

    It gets hung up at 644MB of 25.75 GB, and then this dialogue box pops up:

    The Finder can't complete because some data can't be read or written (Error Code-36)

  • by Terence Devlin,Solvedanswer

    Terence Devlin Terence Devlin Sep 17, 2013 5:07 AM in response to NorthernMD
    Level 10 (139,597 points)
    iLife
    Sep 17, 2013 5:07 AM in response to NorthernMD

    The -36 error is an i/o one and basically it means that the Finder has found some file or other that it can't copy becuase it's damaged or has incorrect permissions or somesuch.

     

    The most simple workaround is to use a back up application to copy the Library over. Any back up app that stores in the library the same format will do - for instance Chronosync (http://www.econtechnologies.com/pages/cs/chrono_overview.html) - but there are many others. Many will have a free trial too...

  • by NorthernMD,

    NorthernMD NorthernMD Sep 17, 2013 1:34 PM in response to Terence Devlin
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 17, 2013 1:34 PM in response to Terence Devlin

    Thanks, Terence!  I bought the software and it worked beautifully.

  • by jgeofb,

    jgeofb jgeofb Feb 24, 2014 2:08 PM in response to Terence Devlin
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 24, 2014 2:08 PM in response to Terence Devlin

    Hi Folks

    Terence's advices are a treasure.  I too have iPhoto 11 library - holding some 10000 pics - and for organisational reasons, I am looking to transfer part of this library to another newly created (as yet empty) library on this same drive.  I have no iPhoto library manager and so I am keen to learn of best way to move this segment of photos - I would be so grateful for your help.  Thank you very much

  • by Terence Devlin,

    Terence Devlin Terence Devlin Feb 24, 2014 3:26 PM in response to jgeofb
    Level 10 (139,597 points)
    iLife
    Feb 24, 2014 3:26 PM in response to jgeofb

    If you don't have Library Manager and don't want to buy it then the only way to do what you want is to duplicate the Library and then delete those pics you don't want in Library A from it, and then repeat the process with Library B.

  • by Bandit232,

    Bandit232 Bandit232 Mar 7, 2014 10:03 AM in response to Terence Devlin
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iLife
    Mar 7, 2014 10:03 AM in response to Terence Devlin

    Can I use Carbonite to restore my existing library on to an external drive, then delete the one on my HD?

  • by Terence Devlin,

    Terence Devlin Terence Devlin Mar 7, 2014 10:45 AM in response to Bandit232
    Level 10 (139,597 points)
    iLife
    Mar 7, 2014 10:45 AM in response to Bandit232

    Seems like a very slow way to do it, and as Carbonite back ups are not always reliable with iPhoto Libraries, be sure to test in thoroughly before you delete anything.

  • by Bandit232,

    Bandit232 Bandit232 Mar 7, 2014 12:29 PM in response to Terence Devlin
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iLife
    Mar 7, 2014 12:29 PM in response to Terence Devlin

    Ok, thanks for the tip.