MacBook Pro 16-inch, 2021 Apple M1 Pro 32 GB RAM
macOS Sequoia 15.7.7
DxO PhotoLab 9.9.1
I have an external drive that contains all my images in two main top-level folders.
The first folder is called “_Referenced Images” and contains all my images that are in an Apple Aperture library. I successfully moved those to another external drive and I deleted the top-level folder.
My top-level folder for images I edit with DxO PhotoLab 9 is called “_Referenced Images 2”. I used Rename in PhotoLab to rename “_Referenced Images 2” to “_Referenced Images” and now I have a complete disaster: Yesterday, after renaming the top-level folder and starting PL I saw many “ghost” folders in the Source Browser (see screenshot), the PL loaded and I was able to edit my images. Today, when I started. PL I received notification that there was a minor update (9.10.0). I quit and downloaded the update from the website. After installation PL crashes every time I launch it. I decided to revert to PL 9.9.1, but it crashes too - so now I cannot run PL.
I assume this has something to do with my stupid idea of renaming my top-level folders.
Any advice you have to make PL launch without immediately crashing would be very welcome. I did not make backups of anything. I am ready to to edit the SQL database if necessary.
I have managed to make it startup without crashing by moving the database and the wal and shm files out of the DxO PhotoLab v9 library folder, thus triggering creating of a new database.
…solves a lot of problems and adds a few others: Some information contained in the database is NOT exported to .dop sidecars. This means that a few things can be missing.
Check if you need/have history and projects, the most prominent absentees - depending on whether you use Mac or Win.
You may find the data is not lost. I have had a few issues with the DXO DAM side of things and bought IMatch to file and add keywords. I also found moving information with DXO can create “lost” information, but when I created the IMatch catalogue the data was there. It just didn’t show up in DXO. It is a lot more stable and reliable and I trust it more than the DXO DAM system. Not sure what operating system you are using as IMatch is just for Windows, but there are other DAM software packages that covers Apple and more. Might be worth a try.
Andre, thanks for your information. I should have provided the technical information - I am on macOS. I am aware of many DAM software for Mac but none of them will read the PhotoLab database to get any information - they will read the xmp files created by PhotoLab.
SQL - you can find thread/comments on ‘drive/volume manipulation in database’ in the forum! Simple work, piece of cake. The thread was about drive (volume) change. However, its describe data tables and similar. I think just find the folder name, and re-type manually (to the new folder).
I find it for you for Mac - @platypus describe quite well.
Mine SQL script under Windows (its also handle folder name change as i remember):
I hope its helps. I dont have Mac, cant test for you.
Note: As far as i remember, someone once post the ‘whole’ Mac data table, field stuffs, and may the table/fields naming difference PC vs Mac db, but i not find it.
