LR Classic 13.3 won't recognize external hard drive

[Philip37565311chjg]

I just upgraded LR Classic to version 13.3.  I am running Mac OS 14.5 (Sonoma).  LR now won't recognize my external drive where the photo files are stored.  I launch the external drive first and then open LR without effect.  The LR catalog is stored on my internal hard drive.  Any suggestions? Thanks.

[dj_paige]

What does "recognize" mean in the context of Lightroom Classic? What step in the usage of LrC is having problems?

[Philip37565311chjg]

When I launch LR the external hard drive either doesn't show up at all in the Library module or only a few of the files it contains show up.

[dj_paige]

Perhaps you (accidentally?) upgraded the wrong catalog file.

[Philip37565311chjg]

I guess that’s possible. How would I know which one to update (to the newest version of LR)?

Philip M. Rosoff, M.D., M.A.
Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics & Medicine
Duke University School of Medicine
Adjunct Professor of Clinical Sciences
North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine

philipmrosoffphotography.com
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[dj_paige]

I guess that’s possible. How would I know which one to update (to the newest version of LR)?
By @Philip37565311chjg

Ideally, every LrC user knows the name of the catalog they are using, and where it is located. If you don't know what catalog you are using, then you probably have to try upgrading several (or all) catalogs on your disk(s). Use your operating system's search feature for all files on all disks that have file names ending in .LRCAT (might be lower case) and then open each one by double-clicking on it; do this until you have found the catalog of interest. And then make a note of the name of this catalog file and the folder it is stored in, so you can always get to it if another similar problem arises.

[Philip37565311chjg]

Sounds reasonable, but how would I know which is the "correct" catalog file to upgrade?

[Philip37565311chjg]

I should mention that when I click on the "import" button, all of the files on the external hard drive show up but I have to import them all (even though they were previously imported). 

[Philip37565311chjg]

I launch LR Classic (the latest version, 13.3).  I have previously connected my external HD and it shows up on my desktop as usual.  When LR open in the Library module, the HD where my photo files are stored does not appear in the FOLDERS section.  So I can't launch the image files in the folder I want.  Now, when I go to the "import" (and export) screen, the drive appears with all of its folders intact as if LR wants me to import the entire drive all over again.  It seems as if the catalog and the image files are no longer connected.

[GoldingD]

The Folders panel in LrC is not a file browser. Drives, folders, and files (photos) will not appear in it until imports have been accomplished. New photos will not just appear in it until they are imported.

[Philip37565311chjg]

Thanks

Philip M. Rosoff, MD, MA
Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics & Medicine
Duke University School of Medicine
Adjunct Professor of Clinical Sciences
North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine

philipmrosoffphotography.com

[dj_paige]

IMPORTING THE PHOTOS IS THE WRONG THING TO DO. DO NOT IMPORT PHOTOS.

I put that in all caps because you are going down the path of a serious mistake which could cause you to lose all or most of your work.

I have told many people not to import photos. Some of them can't seem to avoid the temptation to import, @Philip37565311chjg do not be one of those people. You will make things worse if you import the photos.

As stated earlier, you have opened the wrong catalog file. That is the solution you should pursue.

[Philip37565311chjg]

Thank you!

Philip M. Rosoff, MD, MA
Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics & Medicine
Duke University School of Medicine
Adjunct Professor of Clinical Sciences
North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine

philipmrosoffphotography.com