LR Will Not "Import From Another Catalog"

Report · Jan 21, 2020

I have imported catalogs from photo shoots many times, but this problem is a first.

I have a catalog on an external hard drive. I will refer to it as Catalog (EX). The folder for Catalog (EX) contains the photos, Previews, Smart Previews and .lrcat file. When I connect the external hard drive to my desktop, I go to "Import From Another Catalog" on my desktop computer, locate the .lrcat (EX) and launch it. Instead of getting a pop-up box that inquires where I want to put the files, something else appears, stating "Preparing to Import from Catalog" (see attached 'first pop up' image). Once this finishes, another box appears "Import from Catalog" (see attached 'second pop up' image).

I cannot select any of the boxes with the photos (individually or all at the same time). The only thing I can select is the drop down Choose or Cancel. The Choose only allows me to change the location to the missing files. When I changed the pull down on Replace, I was then able to select the folders. However, if you look, it does not select all of the folders. For another unknown reason, it will not let me select 3 of the folders. And it only imports 11 photos.

NOTE: When I imported Catalog (EX), the first time, I accidentally pointed the files to another Catalog (B). In short, I opened Catalog (A) already on my desktop, launched the .lrcat (EX) and pointed it at Catalog (B) instead of Catalog (A). When I realized I made this mistake, I deleted the files from Catalog (B). I then went through the steps again ton import it to Catalog (A). However, run into the pop-ups which won't allow me to import the Catalog (EX). I spoke to Adobe and we confirmed it is not a permission issues as we were able to import photos (by creating new temporary catalogs).

Here are my questions/comments:

(1) How do I fix this?

(2) I'm open to manually importing the photos, but I've already assigned names to hundreds of differenty

faces and made edits. This would be a tremendous waste of time.

(3) Adobe believe maybe Catalog (EX) is bad. However, I can launch Catalog (EX) from the external hard drive.

Thank you in advanced

Lightroom Classic 9.1 Release

macOS Mojave V 10.14.6

Report · Jan 21, 2020

Try just one folder from start to finish to eliminate the possibility that there is a problem with the Cat Ex file.

Report · Jan 21, 2020

Using Mac Finder, check the security settings on the exteral drive and on the source folders for the images.

Also check the location and its permissions for the destination folders.