Q: I am trying to copy my iPhoto Library to an external hard drive. I keep getting error -36. What can I do to copy it?

The external hard drive's file system is either corrupted, or more likely, the external HD has physically failed:

  ioErr                         = -36,  /*I/O error (bummers)*/

You're welcome. The drive is bad. I would return it and get a new one. You can try using a different USB cable and test.

Have you explored More like this --> on the right hand side of the web page.

(You need to click on the email link - Go to the Message to return to the webpage.)

In there is the suggestion that the iPhoto Library itself could be the source of the error, i.e not a hardware disk error but a software error.

This is a good point that I definitely overlooked.

Whoops, this reply was intended for roam

Message was edited by: nbar

Try rebuilding the iPhoto Library and then attempt to copy again.

iPhoto Library rebuild

Try out Old Toad's reply:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4983653?tstart=0

GL!

It's more likely there's a problem with the library like Eric proposed.  Try his suggestion and if that doesn't help try Deleteplz's suggestion.

OT