Opening old JPG files

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Opening old JPG files

I used (many, many years ago) to own a Power PC. I saved a number of .jpg files on it. Over time, as I migrated through a series of machines, I kept them on a hard disk. I then moved the files to my newest Macintosh, a MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020; Mac OS 12.4). I attempted to open them, but I could not do so … using Preview, GIMP, or various browsers (including Firefox and Chrome).

I presume that the .jpg file format / structure of old has changed to a more current one, without compatibility capabilities. And/or, the structural changes in MacOS is not compatible. Are these accurate surmises? If so, is there an application that I can obtain (useable on my present machine) that would allow me to access and open the files?

Thank you.

MacBook Pro

Posted on Jun 30, 2022 9:22 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

VikingOSX

Community+ 2024

Level 10

116,831 points

Jun 30, 2022 9:36 AM in response to WGibson

Agree that the JPEG standard should be compatible with any Apple computer architecture, so why not attempt to open them in Graphic Converter (trial). If that fails, and considering how long that product has been on Macs, then I agree with BobTheFisherman than your images have become corrupt.

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Answer 2

WGibson Author

Level 1

7 points

Jun 30, 2022 1:08 PM in response to VikingOSX

To BobTheFisherman and VikingOSX,

I agree that JPG files are supposed to be cross-platform and cross-generational, so I found it surprising that I couldn't access them on my MacBook Pro. As this is my first machine with an M1 chip, I wondered whether the firmware processing protocols might have an effect.

The files have a "created" date in 2000, and a "modified" date in 2015, so while I initially downloaded them in the 1990s, and migrated them from one machine to another in 2000, and (at least) opened them in 2015, something has changed since then. I simply cannot figure out what.

BTW, I did try Graphic Converter … it gave me hexdumps on a number of the files … I haven't attempted them all.

Thanks for your suggestions.

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Answer 3

Jun 30, 2022 9:26 AM in response to WGibson

A jpg file is a jpg file and it should open with any app capable of opening jpg files. Maybe the files are corrupt.

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Answer 4

dialabrain

Level 10

125,507 points

Jun 30, 2022 1:25 PM in response to WGibson

I think Bob and Viking are correct. They may have been corrupted somehow. I have .jpgs dating back to 2002 that still open.

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Opening old JPG files

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