Gray circle with Exclamation point instead of photo?

I get that....er still can't paste the bugger.

when I try to open a photo from viewing the event. The event pics are there but when I double click on the pic the gray circle appears. I have been a mac user for years and this is an annoying problem. Any help would be great. Thanks.


Message was edited by: musashi88

iMac 2.4 GHZ Alum 20", Mac OS X (10.5.2), iMac 2006 Intel 17" (W8)1.8GHZ, iBook G4, iTouch

Posted on May 31, 2008 6:42 AM

Reply
7 replies

May 31, 2008 6:50 AM in response to musashi88

musashi88

The ! or ? turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.

The most common cause of this is User Activity in the iPhoto Library Folder in the Finder.

Have you altered, moved or renamed anything in the iPhoto Library Folder?

If you haven't, then try rebuilding the database. Hold down the apple and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild.

Regards

TD

May 31, 2008 7:49 AM in response to musashi88

Then I'm afraid that it's likely a damaged database.

Try these in order - from best option on down...

1. Do you have an up-to-date back up? If so, try copy the library6.iphoto file from the back up to the iPhoto Library (Right Click -> Show Package Contents) allowing it to overwrite the damaged file.

2. Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. This will create a new library based on data in the albumdata.xml file. Not everything will be brought over - no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your albums back.

3. If neither of these work then you'll need to create and populate a new library.

To create and populate a new library:

Note this will give you a working library with the same Events and pictures as before, however, you will lose your albums, keywords, modified versions, books, calendars etc.

In the iPhoto Preferences -> Events Uncheck the box at 'Imported Items from the Finder'

Move the iPhoto Library to the desktop

Launch iPhoto. It will ask if you wish to create a new Library. Say Yes.

Go into the iPhoto Library (Right Click -> Show Package Contents) on your desktop and find the Originals folder. From the Originals folder drag the individual Event Folders to the iPhoto Window and it will recreate them in the new library.

When you're sure all is well you can delete the iPhoto Library on your desktop.

In the future, in addition to your usual back up routine, you might like to make a copy of the library6.iPhoto file whenever you have made changes to the library as protection against database corruption.

Regards

TD

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Gray circle with Exclamation point instead of photo?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.