dabruin
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Got error code -36 while copying iPhoto library.  Any workarounds?

While copying 31 GB iPhoto library from external hard drive to Mac mini, got a error code -36 at about the 14 GB point.  Happened twice.  Pressed OK, and copy process stopped.Tried disk utilities twice on ext hard drive with no apparent problems.  Is there way to get the copy process to proceed anyway?  What can be done at lower level to find which file(s) are causing problem?

Posted on Jan 25, 2015 12:47 PM

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dabruin

Q: Got error code -36 while copying iPhoto library.  Any workarounds?

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  • by ChitlinsCC,Helpful

    ChitlinsCC ChitlinsCC Jan 25, 2015 1:19 PM in response to dabruin
    Level 6 (8,187 points)
    Notebooks
    Jan 25, 2015 1:19 PM in response to dabruin

    Search reveals just a "little" on error -36 but it seems to be a I/O disk problem indeed. This indicates that it could be EITHER the source OR the destination disk or a file

    Common System Error Messages: What they Mean and What Might Help Resolve the Problem - Apple Support

    ---QUOTE---

    Type -36 error (I/O Errors (bummers)

     

    This file is having difficulty while either reading from the drive or writing to the drive. The file
    may have been improperly written data to the drive or the hard drive or disk may be damaged.
    This is almost always indicative of a media error (hard error on the disk). Sometimes (rarely) it is transient.

     

    Solutions: Try copying the file to another drive. Use a disk recovery software, such as Disk First Aid to examine the disk. You can try rebooting with all extensions off. Once in a while this will allow you to read the data. The file in question should be restored from a backup that was stored on a different disk. Regular backups can reduce the time to recover from this error.

    -----------

     

    It occurs to me that it may be a certain file that exists at the 14GB point. If the copy proceeded up to that point successfully, it should be easy enough to identify "the NEXT file in the alphanumeric list" on the source drive and copy it separately for a test.

  • by LarryHN,Helpful

    LarryHN LarryHN Jan 25, 2015 6:38 PM in response to dabruin
    Level 10 (85,673 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jan 25, 2015 6:38 PM in response to dabruin

    Try cloning it - Carbon Copy Cloner (My personal choice) or SuperDuper are good

     

    LN

  • by dabruin,

    dabruin dabruin Jan 25, 2015 7:32 PM in response to LarryHN
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 25, 2015 7:32 PM in response to LarryHN

    My son used carbon copy cloner and he identified the errant photo file causing the -36 error code.  Thanks again.

  • by ChitlinsCC,

    ChitlinsCC ChitlinsCC Jan 25, 2015 7:40 PM in response to dabruin
    Level 6 (8,187 points)
    Notebooks
    Jan 25, 2015 7:40 PM in response to dabruin

    excellent! out of curiosity, did the file have anything unusual about it (other than being 'corrupt')?    

  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN Jan 25, 2015 7:51 PM in response to dabruin
    Level 10 (85,673 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jan 25, 2015 7:51 PM in response to dabruin

    Great you are welcome

     

    Good to have "smart" kids around - I learn lots from my GrandKids

     

    LN