CTS
Level 2 (204 points)
Mac OS X

Q: Storage volume doubled after reinstall

I had to replace a hard drive and reinstalled all of my data. My drive is now almost exactly twice as full as it was before (450 gb vs 225).

 

I've found a few large files (the migrated iPhoto library, after the Photos upgrade, and a mail archive), which I moved to an external disk. But I wonder if I somehow managed to duplicate data, even though my computer shows only one user, and one set of my files.

 

I'm pondering wiping and resinstalling, but that would be a hassle.

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5), mid-2011 i5

Posted on Nov 7, 2015 11:59 AM

by Old Toad,Apple recommended
Old Toad Old Toad
Level 10 (141,435 points)
Mac OS X
A:

Before the system reinstall the iPhoto library and Photos library were sharing the same files on the drive via hard links:

Note: only the image files that were in the iPhoto library at the time of migration to Photo is shred via hard links.  All new photos imported are not shared.

 

Photos saves disk space by sharing images with your iPhoto or Aperture libraries - Apple Support

 

The (hard) link between Photos and iPhoto

 

When you restored your files each library required its own space and that would approximately double what the two were using previously.

 

I suggest you get an external HD, formatted OS X Extended (journaled), move and operate the libraries from there.  Obviously you should also have a backup strategy in place to prevent data loss in the case of hard drive crash or corruption.

OTsig.png

Posted on Nov 7, 2015 12:46 PM

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Q: Storage volume doubled after reinstall

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Old Toad,Apple recommended

    Old Toad Old Toad Nov 7, 2015 12:46 PM in response to CTS
    Level 10 (141,435 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 7, 2015 12:46 PM in response to CTS

    Before the system reinstall the iPhoto library and Photos library were sharing the same files on the drive via hard links:

    Note: only the image files that were in the iPhoto library at the time of migration to Photo is shred via hard links.  All new photos imported are not shared.

     

    Photos saves disk space by sharing images with your iPhoto or Aperture libraries - Apple Support

     

    The (hard) link between Photos and iPhoto

     

    When you restored your files each library required its own space and that would approximately double what the two were using previously.

     

    I suggest you get an external HD, formatted OS X Extended (journaled), move and operate the libraries from there.  Obviously you should also have a backup strategy in place to prevent data loss in the case of hard drive crash or corruption.

    OTsig.png

  • by CTS,

    CTS CTS Nov 7, 2015 12:58 PM in response to Old Toad
    Level 2 (204 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 7, 2015 12:58 PM in response to Old Toad

    Thanks. That clarifies things I'd read about the "hard links" and those two libraries.

     

    I moved the iPhoto library to an external hard drive, but I suspect my problem runs deeper than the duplicate photo libraries.

     

    I just discovered that when I examine "storage" under "about this mac" it says I have 158 GB worth of movies. I don't have many videos at all, and command-i on the Movies folder reveals 16 gb, which makes more sense. The "about this mac" figures for everything else are accurate (apps, music, etc.)

     

    What could be going on? (I see no large video files; my only video files are small snippets from cameras).

  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad Nov 7, 2015 2:13 PM in response to CTS
    Level 10 (141,435 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 7, 2015 2:13 PM in response to CTS

    Reindex your hard drive according to this Apple document and check the storage again: Spotlight: How to re-index folders or volumes - Apple Support

  • by CTS,

    CTS CTS Nov 11, 2015 6:30 PM in response to CTS
    Level 2 (204 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 11, 2015 6:30 PM in response to CTS

    Thanks. That shows I have 170 gb free, which is a lot more like it (according to "about this mac"). The representations of what's taking up the space are a mess, though--or maybe they hint at a problem? They show my largest category of files is "other" (235 gb.) 

  • by babowa,

    babowa babowa Nov 11, 2015 6:48 PM in response to CTS
    Level 7 (32,187 points)
    iPad
    Nov 11, 2015 6:48 PM in response to CTS

    Another possibility: did you use Migration Assistant to port over your files to your new hard drive? If you used that (rather than Setup Assistant which can only be used right during the Setup after a fresh install), then you may have some duplicates sprinkled around.

  • by CTS,

    CTS CTS Nov 12, 2015 8:48 AM in response to babowa
    Level 2 (204 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 12, 2015 8:48 AM in response to babowa

    I moved them manually from Time Machine--drag & drop. I think the storage allotment makes sense now; it's certainly not doubled, which would suggest massive duplication.

     

    I had assumed the Mac store presented me with a blank-slate iMac, but then I wondered if they had ported my stuff over, and I then duplicated it. But that would suggest some kind of hidden user (since I only see my one user identity). I think I can put this issue to rest (knock wood).

     

    I have a duplicate identifier, but I'm not sure you can select the whole hard drive; maybe I'll try that.