iMovie cannot save changes to external iMovie Library.

Question

Level 1

8 points

iMovie cannot save changes to external iMovie Library.

Hi everyone

I backed up my iMovie library using time machine - after reinstalling iMovie I opened this library using iMovie. The library opens fine and I can select a project and begin to work on it BUT after about a minute the following dialog box comes up

iMovie cannot save changes to external iMovie Library.

The location containing one or more of your libraries has disappeared.

To avoid losing work, those libraries will be closed.

There is a blue box to click which says continue - if I click continue the library is then closed.

Why is this happening and how do I correct this?

Thanks

P.s. I am using iMovie 10.1.4 (Sierra 10.12.3)

Posted on Mar 9, 2017 1:49 PM

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Answer 1

GeeD

Level 6

9,189 points

Mar 9, 2017 2:44 PM in response to ilo55

I suspect you may be trying to open the copy of your library on the Time Machine volume.

Reinstalling iMovie does not affect existing libraries so you should be able to open your original library. However iMovie may not know where it is. To make sure you are opening the original library choose File > Open Library > Other and navigate to the original library. (If you have deleted it you need to first replace it from the Time machine copy).

Geoff.

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Answer 2

ilo55 Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 17, 2017 5:45 PM in response to GeeD

Hi guys

Thanks for your replies.

Just to confirm - I went into the time machine back up and copied the iMovie library (from the movies folder) and dropped onto the desktop. The library opens and everything is present for a few seconds until I start trying to work with it.

The only other method that is left for me to try is to actually go into time machine and use the restore option as opposed to dragging the library onto my desktop. But that said - am I mistaken in thinking it should work by just dragging and dropping?

Thanks

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Answer 3

Rich839

Level 8

48,204 points

Mar 17, 2017 8:48 PM in response to ilo55

I don't use Time Machine myself, but as I understand it you can use the Finder to browse the files in Time Machine and drag them out to put them where you want. I'll defer to someone who actually has done it.

However, if you are having trouble with that, the restore function should work.

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Answer 4

Rich839

Level 8

48,204 points

Mar 9, 2017 3:26 PM in response to ilo55

Hi,

As I understand it, you can't work on files while they are stored in Time Machine. They must be restored to your active drive first. Could that possibly be causing your problem?

-- Rich

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