Working with projects/ everts in fcpx

So here's my problem:'I have various projects from an older version of fcpx which I need to work on in the latest version, when I try to run e update tool ( file> update projects and events) fcp crashes before it has started to update them. I am now at a loss of what to do. What do you suggest? If it's relevent, the original files / projects events were copied onto an external HD to make space, and I would be most dissapointed if I could not resume work on these projects

Where are the events and projects? Did you trash preferences?

Hi tom
All my older projects and events are on an external hard drive, I just copied the contents across to free up space. I have tried copying some of them back to the HD and running them from there but the sane things happens

Once more, did you trash your preferences? What version of FCP are you now using? What was the old version? Make sure all the events and projects are in the correct folder structure. Events folders inside a Final Cut Events folder, and project folders inside a Final Cut Projects. You don't update the events and projects, you update a volume, which is why these folders must be in specific locations. Just as in old versions of FCP they will only be recognized in the correct location. The folders must either in the home Movies folder or at the root level of a secondary drive. That's the only way FCP with update the drive.

I haven't knowingly deleted the preferences, except inadvertently if that happens when you change the location? I am running 10.1.4 and i was running 10.0. I would have remained on this version but was unaware it wouldn't run on Mavericks
It would be very useful if you could tell me what path the folder structure should be, as I could try copying them to the HD in this structure.

I think you mean Yosemite.

You DO want to trash the preferences. Hold Option-Command as you launch the application and select trash the preferences.

"It would be very useful if you could tell me what path the folder structure should be, as I could try copying them to the HD in this structure."

You do not want to ever do this from a different version of the software. That's crazy.

EeeTee,
You don't want to move files in the Finder anymore with FCPX. You use the Library Inspector Pane. FCPX now uses a "bundle" file structure.
"Modify Settings" button to set Library location.
Then "Consolidate" button to move files; Media, Cache, and Back-up Files. (Good idea to leave Back-up files on different drive from media in case of crash, these files are small database files, not actual media, default location in User>Movies>FCP Back-Up.)
If what you moved were just the media files, then you would need to reimport or possibly relink the files or at least let FCPX know where they are. It is not clear what files you moved where, so I'm just guessing here.
Try this, Open FCPX
Create new Library on External drive.
Import media and locate media files. I would consolidate the files into the Library (Managed Library)
see if this works. Let us know.
Don't move files outside of FCPX.
Hope this helps, Greg

EeeTee,
I should have mentioned that creating a new Library and reimporting media is a "if all else fails" way of recovering the media and starting over.
Unfortunately, FCPX has gone through several changes in how it handles file management from 10.0 to 10.1.4. If you have been messing around in the finder with the files, you may have lost some file structure that will prevent opening older projects.
If you know what you did exactly, then try to reverse it or try using back-up copies (Time Machine maybe) to recover.
As Tom says trash your preferences and try again.

Hope this helps, Greg