cannot open photos library from external hard drive? See error message.
MacBook Air, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)
How is the EHD that the library is on formatted and connected to your Mac? What system and Photos versions are you running?
7 replies
I am unaware what EHD, but it is a Seagate Backup Plus Portable Drive connected via usb. I was previously using iPhoto prior to the awful update, but now have Photo. Operating system is Mac OS Extended (Journaled, Encrypted) Version 10.10.5. I have attempted to open in iPhoto and Photo but I end with same error message. Prior to the system update I was able to open photos from external drive. I have also tried to repair photos library, but nothing seems to help.
Control (right) - click on the EHD's icon and select Get Info from the contextual menu:
That will get you this window where you can determine what the formatting is:
It must be formatted OS X Extended (journaled).
What version of iPhoto are you using? Try the following on the iPhoto library:
Using iPhoto Library Manager to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
1 - download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.>Click on the Add Library button,
2 - select the library you want to add from those in the selection window.
3 - make sure that in the rebuild window the checkbox "Scavange orphaned photos" is checked.
4 - now that the library is listed in the left hand pane of iPLM, click on your library and go to the Library ➙ Rebuild Library menu option
5 - in the next window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed. Click on the Create button.
Note 1: This creates a new library based on the LIbraryData.xml file in the library and will recover Events, Albums, keywords, titles and comments. However, books, calendars, cards and slideshows will be lost.
Note 2: Your current library will be left untouched for further attempts at a fix if so desired.
Wow! It worked! You are amazing!!! Should I delete the file in the external hard drive and replace with this new file?
Rename the old library on the EHD and then copy the new library to the EHD and open it. Make sure it works on the EHD before deleting the older library.
If you want to start using Photos again you can migrate the working, rebuild iPhoto library again to Photos while on the EHD.
cannot open photos library from external hard drive? See error message.