User profile for user: Ken_DK
Ken_DK Author
User level: Level 1
9 points

Iphoto library problem after restore

Hi

My iMac 5K 3TB harddisk broke, and I got it repaired.

I have an online backup service, Jottacloud. I restored the IPhoto-library, but now it is not saved as packed library file anymore but as normal folder structure.

I searched the web for help, and tried following solution:


Follow these steps to use the Photos library repair tool:

  1. Hold down Option-Command while you open Photos.
  2. In the dialog that appears, click Repair to start the repair process.

You might be asked to type in your user account password to authorize the library repair.

The repair tool analyzes the the library's database and repairs any inconsistencies it detects. Depending on the size of your library, this might take some time. When the process is completed, Photos opens the library.


Problem is that my iPhoto don't open repair menu or anything, the iMac just open finder with the program folder.....

Please help! What to do?

How do I get iPhoto to open this repair menu?

How do I convert the restored folder structure with all relevant information into the iPhoto library format?

I am running High Sierra on late 2014 iMac 5K.

I restored iPhoto from a earlier timemachine backup, and I also tried to reinstall iPhoto from appstore as it was under purchased program.

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on Aug 3, 2018 3:25 AM

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User profile for user: léonie
léonie
User level: Level 10
200,795 points

Posted on Aug 3, 2018 4:42 AM

I restored the IPhoto-library, but now it is not saved as packed library file anymore but as normal folder structure.

A cloud storage is not save to store a photo library. A cloud storage may break the internal links .


If the Finder is showing you the library now as simple folder, check the filename extension.

An iPhoto Library 8for iPhoto 9.3 or newer). should have the extension .photolibrary. The name of the library could for example be "iPhoto Library.photolibrary".

Does the Finder show the library again as an iPhoto Library, if you fix the filename extension?


Then try again to open it by double clicking it. Does iPhoto now launch?

If not, try again to repair the library.

  1. Hold down Option-Command while you open Photos by double clicking the library.
  2. Keep holding down the key combination, until the Library First Aid dialog appears.
  3. In the dialog that appears, click Repair to start the repair process.
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User profile for user: léonie
léonie
User level: Level 10
200,795 points

Aug 3, 2018 4:42 AM in response to Ken_DK

I restored the IPhoto-library, but now it is not saved as packed library file anymore but as normal folder structure.

A cloud storage is not save to store a photo library. A cloud storage may break the internal links .


If the Finder is showing you the library now as simple folder, check the filename extension.

An iPhoto Library 8for iPhoto 9.3 or newer). should have the extension .photolibrary. The name of the library could for example be "iPhoto Library.photolibrary".

Does the Finder show the library again as an iPhoto Library, if you fix the filename extension?


Then try again to open it by double clicking it. Does iPhoto now launch?

If not, try again to repair the library.

  1. Hold down Option-Command while you open Photos by double clicking the library.
  2. Keep holding down the key combination, until the Library First Aid dialog appears.
  3. In the dialog that appears, click Repair to start the repair process.
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User profile for user: Yer_Man
Yer_Man
User level: Level 10
166,098 points

Aug 3, 2018 5:09 AM in response to Ken_DK

The problem is that you backed up the Library to an inappropriate service and the library has been damaged. Frankly, unless you have another back up your choices are


1. Try rebuild the library with iPhoto Library Manager from here:


https://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/


(The option to rebuild does not require a purchase.) Be sure to download the version appropriate for your version of iPhoto.


If that fails your remaining option is


2: Start over from scratch. Make a new Library and import your Originals, this of course means that you lose all the work you've previously done.


Going forward: iPhoto is a dead end. You need to move to another app - and there are many others, not only Photos. To do this now will be a pain in the rear. But at least now, iPhoto still runs. Wait too long and iPhoto won't run any more. Then you have a crisis and a pain in the rear.

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User profile for user: léonie
léonie
User level: Level 10
200,795 points

Aug 3, 2018 8:24 AM in response to Ken_DK

Yes, I have an older timemachine backup, but the iphoto library is not complete there....

I hope, that iPhoto Library Manager will do its usual magic and rescue your library, but should that fail, your Time Machine backup will be a good starting point to save your albums and edits. You can then add the missing photos by importing the newer photos from the Masters folder in your recovered library.

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User profile for user: Ken_DK
Ken_DK Author
User level: Level 1
9 points

Aug 5, 2018 3:41 AM in response to léonie

Thanks everybody for inputs.


It did not work with iPhoto library manager, something must be missing in the backup from online service.


I ended up restoring my older time machine iPhoto library, that was complete until august 2016, and then I added the rest of the photos manually from the master folder that came with my online backup.

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Iphoto library problem after restore

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