MacBook Air (early 2014)
OS X Yosemite 10.10.5
Finder app
I'm trying to backup my photos to an external hard drive but having an error message :The Finder can't complete the operation because some data in 'Photos Library' can't be read or written. (Error code 036)
My MacBook Air is full so I need to get them off it! Advice would be much appreciated.
We need to know the format - select it in the finder and get info - the format is in the info window
I do have files on there from a previous windows laptop
This makes it very likely that it is not the correct format since a PC can not use a correctly formatted drive unless you have purchased special software for the PC No PC format can be used for the Photos library - the Photos library must only be on a volume formatted Mac OS extended (journaled)
LN
I had the same problem as in (Error code -36)
No, you had the same symptom. There are a number of situations that will give an Error code -36. But they all give the same symptom, the error code.
That's why it's best to not try to tag onto an existing topic. Instead start your own, give the detailed specifics and you'll get responses that are tailored to your situation.
That way we don't have to spend a lot of time trying to elicit hidden details left out of the original post.
Please post in the iPhoto for Mac forum - threadjacking a solved thread about totally different software running on a totally different OS is confusing to everyone - see Writing an effective Apple Support Communities question
LN
It's a Trekstore hard drive but I do have files on there from a previous windows laptop
Connecting to the MacBook by USB lead. The MacBook is reading the drive and I've also tried to copy the photos over by 'selecting all' but the files appear empty. Then when I tried using File - consolidate, I got the above error message.
I am trying to transfer/back-up iPhoto libraries between two Macs (Mini & iMac (27", mid 2011)) both running OS X Mavericks 10.9.5. I am using a Western Digital MyPassport USB 750 GB disk and consistently get this error when trying to copy libraries to or from the external drive (formatted correctly as Mac OS X Extended (Journaled)). Every now and then one library or another will copy ... but not consistently. Suggestions would be appreciated. (using iPhoto 9.5.1) on both machines)
No - any drive formatted Mac OS extended (journaled) will work - as far as I know any drive can be reformatted correctly - it certainly does not have to be an Apple drive
LN
These are excellent drives for use with Macs: OWC Mercury Elite Pro USB 3.0 / FireWire 800 / eSATA 500GB to 6.0TB. I have six in use and are very happy with their performance.
what is the format of the EHD and how is it connected?
LN
Thanks for that. So if you don't want to buy the Apple tower for backing up, generally are external HDs compatible as long as they haven't been used for Windows purposes already?
Can't back up photos to external hard drive - (Error code -36)
