Clatter

Q: Can't install Sierra because Photos update stalled

The new Sierra OS apparently included an update to Photos.  Began Photos update first, it has been running for ~30hours "Building a library".  Tried to complete install of Sierra which needs a restart-- of course all Apps must close to do restart, Photos won't close because it is building library!  But now the little whirly progress ball is not whirling and there are no options in the Photos menu- all grayed out, Photos Version 1.0.1 (215.65.0).  I am afraid to force quit incase closing Photos takes my 16000 images with it.  Do have time machine back up. 

 

Should I force quit Photos and install the Sierra, then restart photos or is there something else to be done?

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5), 21.5 inch Late 2012, 2.7GHz, Intel

Posted on Oct 5, 2016 1:01 PM

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Q: Can't install Sierra because Photos update stalled

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  • by Old Toad,Helpful

    Old Toad Old Toad Oct 5, 2016 8:03 PM in response to Clatter
    Level 10 (141,525 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 5, 2016 8:03 PM in response to Clatter

    I'm confused by your topic title and then the body of your post.  Did you install Sierra?  Or are you trying to rebuild your current Photos library with your current Photos app before upgrading to Sierra? Photos is part of the Sierra upgrade and can't prevent the install of Sierra.

     

    How big is your library?  If very large that that time may not be out of line.  If it's small and because you have a TM backup go ahead and force quit Photos.

     

    Where is your library located?  If it's on an external HD how is that HD formatted and connected to your Mac?

     

    OTsig.png

  • by Clatter,

    Clatter Clatter Oct 5, 2016 8:17 PM in response to Old Toad
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 5, 2016 8:17 PM in response to Old Toad

    Ok- Sierra arrived on my computer auto-update.  I don't recall doing anything to start it, but Photos began it's update while Sierra was downloading or preparing to be installed.  The photo library is on the HDD, the start-up drive.  It is large, maybe 16000 photos and short videos.  Photos was running about 30hours, Sierra was NOT installed, never pressed the "install" button.  Photos showed no indication of any progress- no progress bar visible, just the whirly thing.

     

    So this AM pressed the Install button for Sierra.  Sierra finished downloading, preparing, then asked to be installed.  "All applicatiions need to quit to install Sierrra.  Close applications and Install?"  Yes.  "Sierra can't be installed because Photos can't be closed while it is building library"   That means that Photos prevented Sierra from installing.  But!  Is Photos really doing anything?  The whirly thing is frozen.  There is no progress bar.  I can't see that anything is happening.  The Photos menus are grayed out.   I can otherwise use the computer- just can't use Photos or install the Sierra

  • by LarryHN,Solvedanswer

    LarryHN LarryHN Oct 5, 2016 8:39 PM in response to Clatter
    Level 10 (85,414 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Oct 5, 2016 8:39 PM in response to Clatter

    Since it has been 7 hours I would force quit, backup and  upgrade to Sierra

     

    LN

  • by Clatter,

    Clatter Clatter Oct 7, 2016 1:32 PM in response to LarryHN
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 7, 2016 1:32 PM in response to LarryHN

    Ok- I shutdown computer by power button because USB had been disabled- no power to mouse, after about 40 hours of spinning wheel.  Restarted, USB was restored, installed Sierra.  Restarted Photos, it is continuing to "Update Library" this time with a progress bar- about 1%/10min.  We can close this ticket.

     

    Thanks for the help and I see the thread has been cleaned up.  However, I can't un-see the unpleasantness and it leaves a bad feeling about using forums.  I urge everyone to please avoid any hint of rudeness.  Just let it go.