Fixing a "Photos Library can't be read or written. (Error Code -36)" problem

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Level 1

14 points

Fixing a "Photos Library can't be read or written. (Error Code -36)" problem

I couldn't copy my Photos library because I was getting a "[...] Photos Library can't be read or written. (Error Code -36)". I right clicked the "Photos Library.photoslibrary" package and found a corrupt file by copying the directories one by one to a new location. The file that can't be read is a jpeg in the directory tree "Photos Library.photoslibrary/resources/modelresources/88/55/X8-lotsofnumbersandletters /". I presume that this jpeg was generated by Photos since the original picture is a NEF file (After poking around the internet, it seems like the consensus is that modelresources is associated with face recognition). I exported the original and deleted it from the library, but the corrupt file remains. I'm concerned that if I delete the corrupt file that something will go wrong with the database.

Should I simply delete the corrupt file?

Should I create another jpeg and replace the corrupt one? (The Finder thumbnail of the jpeg shows a broken version of the whole image, not version cropped to a face.

Thanks,

Chris

MacBook Pro (15-inch Mid 2012), OS X El Capitan (10.11.5), null

Posted on Jun 25, 2016 9:36 AM

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Answer 1

léonie

Level 10

200,645 points

Jun 25, 2016 11:04 AM in response to LEGO Chris

Photos is also storing the files passed to photo editing extensions in modelressources. Have you used photo editing extensions?

Remove the corrupted file from the Photos Library, so you can copy the library, but keep it so you can put it back, if need be.

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Answer 2

LEGO Chris Author

Level 1

14 points

Jun 27, 2016 1:09 PM in response to LEGO Chris

I removed the corrupt file and the parent directory that held it from the modelresources directory. The library copy went fine, and so far after a day and a half of heavy use of photos, I've experienced no problems. So, just removing the file seems like the thing to do.

Chris

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Answer 3

LEGO Chris Author

Level 1

14 points

Jun 27, 2016 1:17 PM in response to léonie

Yes,I've used photo editing extensions, it is possible that I used editing extensions on this photo, but I cannot be sure.To solve my problem I exported the original and then deleted the photo from the library. After doing that and seeing that the corrupt jpeg did not just go away, I posted here, then removed the folder that contained the corrupt jpeg and reimported the photo. Everything seems to be working fine, and I was able to copy the library without a problem.

Chris

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