How to cleanup and start fresh on one of my computers?

Question

Level 1

8 points

How to cleanup and start fresh on one of my computers?

My Macbook Pro ran out of space and was causing problems with my most important work application. So... I did what every bad user would do and panicked 🙂

To get the space, I deleted my Photos library.

Figured it was safe as it was all on the iCloud. It's also safe as I copied it to an external disk, my other desktop has all the files downloaded to it in full resolution, I have time machine backups, and I have an offsite backup. I'm pretty disaster safe for now.

The problem I am having, is how to I get Photos synchronized with iCloud again? I tried to create a new library and make it my system library. Then enable iCloud Photos. After a while, I ended up with a new library that shows the little iCloud logo in the middle, but no photos.

I have 6,800 photos in my iCloud.

Is there something I need to cleanup to make it think this computer is starting fresh?

Thanks!

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)

Posted on Aug 25, 2016 8:33 AM

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Answer 1

LarryHN

Level 10

106,142 points

Aug 25, 2016 10:32 AM in response to Brian...K

Give it time?

WHat is the iCLoud status?

LN

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Answer 2

Brian...K Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 26, 2016 4:57 AM in response to Brian...K

Thanks!

The status under "Photos -> Preferences -> iCloud: says: Downloading 3,964 Items

It has said the same for 2.5 days. No visible change to the libraries on the disk either.

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Answer 3

Brian...K Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 26, 2016 5:58 PM in response to Brian...K

I ended up disabling iCloud... it deleted all the empty photos. Started it again and it worked.

Ran for 12 hours, filled up the disk and caused all the running programs to exit and photos exited complaining about corrupted library.

I did have "optimize storage" selected... so not sure why it downloaded all the full size images and didn't take disk space into consideration.

Restarted photos. turned off iCloud. It didn't delete anything this time so the disk is full still.

Not sure what to do now...

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Answer 4

Brian...K Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 27, 2016 7:19 AM in response to Brian...K

Finally resolved.

I rebooted after it filled up the disk. When it came back up I restarted photos. It complained about unable to update for a while due to lack of disk space... then after about 15 minutes it decided to start cleaning up the photos.

Now its at 87% disk status and all the thumbnails are on photos and it appears to work properly.

Finally!!!

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