Reference Files missing

Question

Reference Files missing

I had the problem that my Photos library was unrepairable after replacing my hard drive.

Copied Photos library (original) and iPhoto Library (original) from a time Machine backup

So I used the "Show package contents," copied all my files out of the "Photos Library (original) . This seemed to work well

I checked to see that everything was there - it was except for videos, so I spent a long time copying them over.

Then I moved my Photos Library (original) and my iPhoto Library (original), both copied over from a time machine backup library to a backup disk (fortunately) and deleted the two (original) folders on my hard drive.

I now can't share, and the "Show Reference File in Finder," is greyed out. So I suspect I have a library full of thumbnails only. ARRRGGGHH.

How can I now fix this? I suspect that copying my Photos Library (original) back to my hard drive will not work (Hard Links broken?)

So, Do I have to restart the reimport process all over again? How is the best way to do this - delete the Photos library and re-import from the Photos Library (original?)

Thanks

Ben

Posted on Nov 18, 2015 6:15 PM

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Answer 1

léonie

Level 10

200,843 points

Nov 19, 2015 9:39 AM in response to Benjamin Smith1

I now can't share, and the "Show Reference File in Finder," is greyed out. So I suspect I have a library full of thumbnails only. ARRRGGGHH.

If "Show Referenced Fie in Finder is grayed out, the library is a managed library and the originals should be in the Masters folder inside the library. Check, if the Masters folder is holding your originals (ctrl-click the library and select Show Package Contents).

If the originals are inside the package, but Photos does not see them, you may have a problem with the permissions on the drive with the library.

Try to enable the "Ignore Ownership on this volume" flag for the Photos library.

You can set this flag from the Info panel for the drive. Select the drive in the Finder and use "File > Get Info" to open the panel. The option should be in the "Permissions" section of the panel. If the option is not available, the drive is either a Time Machine Drive or has an unsupported file system, and your Photos library should be moved to a different drive.

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