Guitarmanjb
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: iPhoto 9.5 error message

I updated to Mavericks last night, as well as updating my iLife and iWork apps, but I've been unable to open iPhoto because I keep getting two messages. The first is the standard "We need to update your photos to work with the new iPhoto."

The second is the problem:

Unable to write to "iPhoto Library". Check to see that you have permission to write to the library directory

 

I don't know what to do; I've checked the permissions under "get info" and they're all set to Read and Write. Anyone know how to solve this?

MacBook Pro (15-inch Mid 2010), OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on Oct 23, 2013 9:11 AM

by Old Toad,Solvedanswer
Old Toad Old Toad
Level 10 (141,679 points)
Photos for Mac
A:

Since iPhoto ran OK in the other user account indicates that the problem is limited to your account.

 

Since you're running Mavericks boot into the Recovery volume (boot with the Command + R keys held down) and use Disk Utility to repair the disk and the disk permissions.  Reboot and try iPhoto again.

 

If that fails  and you've tried deleting the iPhoto preference file with no success it could be another preference file that's causing the problem. Here's how to test that:

 

Trouble Shooting Preferences

NOTE: In Lion and Mountain Lion the Home/Library folder is now invisible. To make it permanently visible enter the following in the Terminal application window: chflags nohidden ~/Library and press the Return key - 10.7: Un-hide the User Library folder.

 

If you're running Mavericks, 10.9,  go to your Home folder and use the View ➙ Show View Options menu to bring the this window:

Mavlibvis.png

 

 

1 - close all applications.

 

2 - open your Home/Library folder and Option-drag (copy) the Preferences folder to the Desktop. 

 

3 - select the contents of your Home/Library/Preferences folder and drag them into the Trash bin in the Dock.  You will be asked to provide your Admin password.

 

4 - reboot. Be sure to know your account's username and password as you will be asked to log in with it.

 

5 - run the application again and determine if the problem(s) is fixed.

 

6 - If the problem is fixed:

 

A - open the working Home/Library/Preferences folder.

 

B - Open the Preferences  folder on the Desktop, select all of the contents and drag them into the working Home/Library/Preferences folder.

 

C - When the Copy window pops up check the "Apply to All" check box and then click on the Don't Replace or Skip button.

 

D - reboot.

 

7 - If the problem is NOT fixed, drag the contents of the Preference folder on the Desktop into the Home/Library/Preference folder and replace the entire contents that were created by clicking on Replace.

 

8 - reboot and you're back as square one.

 

Note:  keep the Preference folder on the desktop until you're sure all registration info for your apps are working.  If not you can copy the required files from the desktop pref folder to the working one.

Posted on Oct 23, 2013 4:12 PM

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Guitarmanjb

Q: iPhoto 9.5 error message

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  • Helpful answers

  • by photosb189,

    photosb189 photosb189 Oct 23, 2013 10:16 AM in response to Guitarmanjb
    Level 1 (130 points)
    Oct 23, 2013 10:16 AM in response to Guitarmanjb

    If you haven't already, you might try repairing Disk Permissions in Applications / Utilitlies / Disk Utility

     

    Found this with more info:

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2963

  • by Guitarmanjb,

    Guitarmanjb Guitarmanjb Oct 23, 2013 10:28 AM in response to photosb189
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 23, 2013 10:28 AM in response to photosb189

    I did that and while it did fix some issues I wasn't aware if, it failed to fix this particular problem. :(

  • by photosb189,

    photosb189 photosb189 Oct 23, 2013 10:37 AM in response to Guitarmanjb
    Level 1 (130 points)
    Oct 23, 2013 10:37 AM in response to Guitarmanjb

    You might also try the Library First Aid option -  Hold the command and option keys down, while launching iPhoto. Select Repair Permissions from the resulting menu.

  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad Oct 23, 2013 10:49 AM in response to Guitarmanjb
    Level 10 (141,679 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Oct 23, 2013 10:49 AM in response to Guitarmanjb

    Try the following:

     

    1 - launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys held down and rebuild the library.

     

    Screen Shot 2013-10-23 at 10.48.15 AM.jpg


    2 - Run Option #4, Rebuild Database, followed by Option #1 if needed.

     

    OT

  • by Guitarmanjb,

    Guitarmanjb Guitarmanjb Oct 23, 2013 1:51 PM in response to Old Toad
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 23, 2013 1:51 PM in response to Old Toad

    I've tried all four options, and they always end up freezing the program or having it crash. Is there a way to re-install or should I just hope that 9.5.1 comes in the next few days? I wanted to free up some space on my computer by deleting some photos, but I can't do that if I can't access them!

  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad Oct 23, 2013 1:56 PM in response to Guitarmanjb
    Level 10 (141,679 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Oct 23, 2013 1:56 PM in response to Guitarmanjb

    Try the following:

     

    1 - delete the iPhoto preference file, com.apple.iPhoto.plist, that resides in your

         User/Home/Library/ Preferences folder.

     

    2 - delete iPhoto's cache file, Cache.db, that is located in your

    User/Home/Library/Caches/com.apple.iPhoto folder (Snow Leopard and Earlier).

     

    home.PNG

     

    or with Lion and Mt. Lion from the User/Library/Containers/com.apple.iPhoto/
    Data/Library/Caches/com.apple.iPhoto     folder

     

    iP11mtlioncache.png

     

    3 - reboot, launch iPhoto and try again.

     

    NOTE: In Lion and Mountain Lion the Home/Library folder is now invisible. To make it permanently visible enter the following in the Terminal application window: chflags nohidden ~/Library and press the Return key - 10.7: Un-hide the User Library folder.

     

    If you're running Mavericks, 10.9,  go to your Home folder and use the View ➙ Show View Options menu to bring the this window:

    Mavlibvis.png


    where you can check the Show Library Folder checkbox.

  • by Guitarmanjb,

    Guitarmanjb Guitarmanjb Oct 23, 2013 2:27 PM in response to Old Toad
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 23, 2013 2:27 PM in response to Old Toad

    I tried that; still freezes/crashes iPhoto. You guys have been great in trying to help, but so far nothing has worked!

  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad Oct 23, 2013 2:55 PM in response to Guitarmanjb
    Level 10 (141,679 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Oct 23, 2013 2:55 PM in response to Guitarmanjb

    Log into another user account on your Mac and see if iPhoto will run there.  If it doesn't then it's system wide and reinstalling iPhoto is the next step. 

  • by Guitarmanjb,

    Guitarmanjb Guitarmanjb Oct 23, 2013 3:37 PM in response to Old Toad
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 23, 2013 3:37 PM in response to Old Toad

    iPhoto ran without a problem on the guest user account on the Mac. Opened, gave me the "what's new" spiel and everything. Still freezes/crashes in the main user account, though.

     

    Also, in the App Store, under "Purchases" it shows Mavericks as still being able to download. I certainly went through all the installation steps yesterday; should it still be showing this? Should I try re-downloading/re-installing Mavericks to see if that helps?

  • by Old Toad,Solvedanswer

    Old Toad Old Toad Oct 23, 2013 4:12 PM in response to Guitarmanjb
    Level 10 (141,679 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Oct 23, 2013 4:12 PM in response to Guitarmanjb

    Since iPhoto ran OK in the other user account indicates that the problem is limited to your account.

     

    Since you're running Mavericks boot into the Recovery volume (boot with the Command + R keys held down) and use Disk Utility to repair the disk and the disk permissions.  Reboot and try iPhoto again.

     

    If that fails  and you've tried deleting the iPhoto preference file with no success it could be another preference file that's causing the problem. Here's how to test that:

     

    Trouble Shooting Preferences

    NOTE: In Lion and Mountain Lion the Home/Library folder is now invisible. To make it permanently visible enter the following in the Terminal application window: chflags nohidden ~/Library and press the Return key - 10.7: Un-hide the User Library folder.

     

    If you're running Mavericks, 10.9,  go to your Home folder and use the View ➙ Show View Options menu to bring the this window:

    Mavlibvis.png

     

     

    1 - close all applications.

     

    2 - open your Home/Library folder and Option-drag (copy) the Preferences folder to the Desktop. 

     

    3 - select the contents of your Home/Library/Preferences folder and drag them into the Trash bin in the Dock.  You will be asked to provide your Admin password.

     

    4 - reboot. Be sure to know your account's username and password as you will be asked to log in with it.

     

    5 - run the application again and determine if the problem(s) is fixed.

     

    6 - If the problem is fixed:

     

    A - open the working Home/Library/Preferences folder.

     

    B - Open the Preferences  folder on the Desktop, select all of the contents and drag them into the working Home/Library/Preferences folder.

     

    C - When the Copy window pops up check the "Apply to All" check box and then click on the Don't Replace or Skip button.

     

    D - reboot.

     

    7 - If the problem is NOT fixed, drag the contents of the Preference folder on the Desktop into the Home/Library/Preference folder and replace the entire contents that were created by clicking on Replace.

     

    8 - reboot and you're back as square one.

     

    Note:  keep the Preference folder on the desktop until you're sure all registration info for your apps are working.  If not you can copy the required files from the desktop pref folder to the working one.