LR unable to make a backup

[xjcooper]

I have been having this issue for awhile when i open my master LR catalog choose to backup I get the error message that it is "Unable to backup would you like to continue or try again"
So I have no backups.
The catalog is on my local hard drive. the .lrcat is 5''Mb, but the .lrdata is 1'Gb!
I have about 2'Gb free on the internal HD.
What happens if I trash the .lrdata?
I'm running OSX Version 1'.5.4 with LR1.4.1
Thank you in advance,
Justine

 

[DonRicklin]

This can happen because either LR can not find the spot you designated for the back-up or that folder is read only.

Welcome to our forum. Please fill in your Signature with System, OS and gear for future reference.

Don

 

[Brad Snyder]

And, it's important to note, that you only need back-up the .lrcat file. The .lrdata package/folder contains the preview cache, and while it's important to the speed of LR's operation, it's not vital for data integrity, so you don't need to back that up.

You wouldn't want to trash the .lrdata because it will drastically slow down LR as the previews are dynamically rebuilt on demand. And you'll shortly be back in the same situation, having gained nothing and lost time.

In a pinch, you can just copy the .lrcat file to the backup location using Finder, taking care to name it with the date, or some identifying feature.

Oh, and Welcome from me as well ....

 

[xjcooper]

Thanks for your responses. I have checked the permissions and it seems fine. I did re-"choose" where the database is located. I get the same error message. Any other thoughts?
Thanks,
Justine

 

[Brad Snyder]

Other than a referral to the LR General Troubleshooting steps, I'll have to defer to the Mac folks.

 

[Kiwigeoff]

Thanks for your responses. I have checked the permissions and it seems fine. I did re-"choose" where the database is located. I get the same error message. Any other thoughts?
Thanks,
Justine

Please, to help us help you could you please take a moment to fill in your signature with information similar to what I have, in the "userCP' that is found at the top left of the page - thanks.
The .lrcat file is the only one backed up by LR with the backup system.
Please give more detail on exactly the steps you are taking.

 

[Victoria Bampton]

Hi Justine

Double check where it's trying to backup to... when the backup dialog comes up you can choose the backup location.

It's one from personal experience - I moved the catalog to another folder, deleted the original folder, and then was confused when it wouldn't back up - it turned out that it was trying to back up to the now non-existent folder. Worth a shot!

 

[xjcooper]

Thanks Victoria, I think that was my problem. I had replaced my hard drive in my laptop so it had a slightly different path name. I hadn't noticed that the backup folder path had the old path. Many thanks to all.
Justine