Andy, from Fort William, in Scotland, sent me the following tip.
(Email #1)
Over last weekend I decided I had to update my iMac to MacOS Monterey 12, which then required that I update FCP to 10.6.
I opened FCP and first thing it wanted to do was update the Library that I’m currently editing (the “fcpbundle file”). At which point, FCP froze. It froze every time I try to load any edited work from October.
I closed FCP and then double-clicked one of the bundle (Library) files – FCP opened up and started to update the file – I can hear the external drive working the files – and then it froze!
Is there a solution to this unbelievable waste of time – I’ve used Macs all my adult life and this upgrade is a disaster for me so far.
Larry adds: With technical problems like this, I referred Andy directly to Apple Support and asked him to let me know what the solution was. Here’s his answer.
(Email #2)
I thought you would like to know that Apple support was very good. They explained that when first importing existing library files into FCP 10.6, the process can take quite a while to complete if the files are large. My library file was 260GB!
What I was looking at on my screen at the top of FCP (the Background Tasks window) was the status of importing the library which showed a blue bar which looked to me like it had completed the process and that the revolving Mac disk on the screen which loads when an app has crashed was showing. I then typed Option + Cmd + ESC to display the Force Quit window which showed that FPC had frozen.
What I learned was that it hadn’t frozen, it was just taking a long time to process my files.
What Apple said I should have done was to disconnect my external drive, restart the iMac, open FCP and then switch on my storage drive where the library file is – and then WAIT.
The library was safely updated and now I am back with all my edited videos from the past 4 years.
Larry adds: Andy, thanks for these detailed notes. The spinning beach ball does not necessarily mean an application has crashed. Simply that it is taking a LONG time to process data. Most of the time, that means a crash, but not always. It is good to know about this problem and the workaround that solves it.
6 Responses to Help! Final Cut Pro Freezes When Updating a Library
Also before I an upgrade in Final Cut Pro. I delete generated library files that are unused.
This reduces the library’s file size and makes the upgrade go faster.
Wayne:
Good tip.
Thanks, Larry
Before I upgrade FCP, I often make a compressed copy of any FCP library that I expect to use with the new FCP release. I also make a compressed copy of the FCP app (Final Cut Pro.app), too, in case I need to return to the earlier release.
This just helped solve my problem with the same issue, thanks for sharing!
I’m opening a FCP 10.6.6 library in 10.7.1
During the update I encountered the spinning wheel at 123 of 139 in the fcpbundle library portion. In reading above it recommends waiting as it might take some time I’m operating Mac Studio Max 2022. Another option from Andy in Scottland above was to disconnect the media drive and reboot-What exactly does disconnect mean eject? Unplug?
Thanks for any help.
Dan:
The easiest way to do what Andy is suggesting is to shut your system down, disconnect the drive, restart, then reconnect the drive.
I’m not sure it will help, but it won’t hurt. Ultimately, you will probably want to contact Apple Support.
Larry