I am having problems viewing photos and videos. I keep getting the following error message: "The operation couldn't be completed. (OSStatus error -54.)"
That error message means, that the files cannot be accessed; a permissions error, the files cannot be opened. Are all your photos giving this error?
I checked numerous posts, and the predominant suggestion is to click on a thumbnail and then select "File" "Reveal in Finder" "Original File." When doing that command, I get the following error message "The operation can't be completed because the item can't be found."
Your iPhoto library may have become corrupted. What happened, before this error message first occurred? Did you move your iPhoto library to a different drive? Install new software or update software? Did you run a cleaning application? Are other applications also having problems with file access?
Check, if your original image files are still there. Has the size of the library changed? Ctrl-click the iPhoto library in your Pictures folder and use the command "Show Package Contents". Open the Masters folder and look (don't touch) into the nested folders inside. Are your original images still there? If yes, you may be able to repair or rebuild your current library. (Rebuild iPhoto Version 11: Old Toad)
1) Where can I find instructions on how to do a Time Machine backup? I assume I need to create a special folder for the new files???
If you are new to Time Machine backups, read this help document: Mac Basics: Time Machinehttp://support.apple.com/kb/ht1427It explains how to openTime Machine and select an external drive for backups.And this documents explain, how Time Machine works: http://pondini.org/TM/FAQ.html How Time Machine Works its Magic
If you not yet have set up Time Machine to backup your photo libraries, it is too late now. You need to make backup copies, while the files are still there.
Or are you asking, how to restore from your Time Machine backup? Select the Pictures folder in the Finder (or wherever you are keeping your iPhoto Library). With this folder the currently activeFinder window enter Time Machine by running the Time Machine Application and enter the Time Tunnel. Go back in time by clicking on of the dates at the right border.You can either restore by overwriting the original library (click the "Restore" button) or restore to a different location by ctrl-clicking the item you want to restore. Select "Restore to...". In your case, I'd use "restore to", so you can compare the restored library to your original library.
2) How do I know which Time Machine backup to use? After all, I imagine many of the backups might also be corrupted.
Try to find out, why it is corrupted. If it is due to recently installed software, go back in time before that date. Or try to remember, when you could last use the library without problems.
3) What about all the photos and videos since that backup? For example, suppose I back up from files a year ago, how do I get photos and videos taken in the past year?
Are all your photos unreadable, or only a few?