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OSStatus Error -54

I am using OS X Mavericks (version 10.9.3) with iPhoto (9.5.1) on an iMac. I am having problems viewing photos and videos. I keep getting the following error message: "The operation couldn't be completed. (OSStatus error -54.)"


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." The suggestions in other posts consisted of restoring from a Time Machine backup because the original file was either deleted or corrupted.


Please do not laugh, but I have some basic questions because I really need help.


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???


2) How do I know which Time Machine backup to use? After all, I imagine many of the backups might also be corrupted.


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?


THANK YOU, in advance, for your kind assistance!

Posted on Jul 1, 2014 9:45 PM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Jul 1, 2014 10:52 PM

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.

User uploaded file

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?

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Question marked as Best reply

Jul 1, 2014 10:52 PM in response to mbab

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.

User uploaded file

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?

Jul 3, 2014 12:49 AM in response to léonie

First of all, THANK YOU for responding so quickly and thoroughly to my query. I very much appreciate your kind assistance.


On to the responses:


  • 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?
    No, recent photos and videos are fine.
  • 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?
    Yes, we messed with the files. My 7 year old erased a bunch of photos. We did not realise that they were in the trash and ran a restore from a Time Machine backup. The iMac was running slow, so we ran a MacBooster clean in November 2013. The program identified numerous "duplicate files" and did a massive clean. I suspect the problem occurred at that time.
  • 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.
    It was hard to tell because the folder names in the Masters folders were different to the events in iPhoto. When I tried to track against the dates, I could not see the relevant photos/videos.
  • I will try the restore from Time Machine now and go back to November 2013 to see if it works.




Jul 3, 2014 12:59 AM in response to mbab


The iMac was running slow, so we ran a MacBooster clean in November 2013. The program identified numerous "duplicate files" and did a massive clean. I suspect the problem occurred at that time.

That explains it then. General cleaning tools usually don't understand the structure of photo libraries. Don't let these tools actually delete from your iPhoto library. Always delete yourself, using iPhoto's user interface.


Good luck for the Time Machine restore. Let us know, how it turns out.

Jul 4, 2014 3:32 PM in response to léonie

Thank again. I took some screen shots to show what is happening. In iPhoto, I select "File" "Switch to Library"

User uploaded file


Then, I choose "Other Library"

User uploaded file


I find the folder with the iPhoto file restored from backup. The "Open" button flashes blue. When I click on that "Open" button, nothing happens.

User uploaded file


Any ideas?

Jul 5, 2014 4:06 PM in response to léonie

Thanks, again.


Here is what I see. I restored the iPhoto from November 2013 to a folder on my desktop.


User uploaded file


If I click on the file folder, I see the following:


User uploaded file


If I then click on iPhoto Library, I see the following:


User uploaded file


The "package" is showing as over 24gb. I assume there must be images in there given the size.


As for the version of iPhoto that created the original file in 2013, I do not know. The current version is 9.5.1.


Thoughts?

Jul 6, 2014 3:31 PM in response to léonie

Unfortunately, your suggestion did not work. I cannot get past the flashing "Open" button as shown in the screen shot from my post on 04 July. In other words, I cannot even get to the contents of the folder to try and select it.


Should I try to restore a folder from an earlier backup of Time Machine?

Jul 12, 2014 5:44 PM in response to léonie

Same problem. I cannot seem to get into the folder, even though the content size is around 23 gb.


User uploaded file


When I try to click on the folder from the Desktop Finder, I get the info box to the left.


(Please note that I restored the file again from the backup drive in case there were problems with the original backup. I followed the instructions exactly.)

OSStatus Error -54

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