iphoto problems

Question

Level 1

4 points

iphoto problems

I am having a persistent problem with iphoto that has been happening since I started using iphoto. I am getting a message that the picture is missing and I am asked to 'cancel' or locate the missing file. I went into my Mac store and they basically sold me an upgrade to '08. Told me it would definitely solve the problem. It didn't.
I took some advice on this forum and created a new library.....I lost a lot of pictures and prior work but I thought it would be worth it to get this product working. Well, it didn't help.
I posted a message on this forum asking for help and, unfortunately, someone else responded that they had an iphoto problem (which was not related to my problem) and the thread went on to that persons questions.
Additionally, occasionally when I am importing photos from my card reader I get the same message...that the picture cannot be found...I have to then point it to the appropriate file on the card. I think this is rather odd and a time consuming effort...I have no idea why this is happening.
My library is managed. I bought specifically my mac specifically to manage my photos...

thanks
Tammy

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.4.11), iphoto 7.1.5

Posted on Nov 17, 2008 4:46 AM

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Answer 1

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,260 points

Nov 17, 2008 5:31 AM in response to duffergirl

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 and keywords back.

Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one.

Regards

TD

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Answer 2

duffergirl Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 17, 2008 6:09 AM in response to duffergirl

Hi

Thanks for the quick reply. I have done this once already in the past and it has not solved the problem. Actually, it has gotten worse since the behavour is happening on import as well. Is there anything else you can suggest? Can you suggest why this is happening?
Will moving to Aperature or Lightroom solve the problem?

thanks again

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Answer 3

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,260 points

Nov 17, 2008 7:55 AM in response to duffergirl

Are you running a Managed or a Referenced Library?

If you're running a Managed library, then it's the default setting, and iPhoto copies files into the iPhoto Library when Importing

If you're running a Referenced Library, then you made a change at iPhoto -> Preferences -> Advanced and iPhoto is NOT copying the files into the iPhoto Library when importing.

Regards

TD

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Answer 4

duffergirl Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 17, 2008 7:23 PM in response to Yer_Man

Hi there

I have a managed library, it has always been a managed library.

The problems are intermittent so it makes it harder to figure out what it may be.

Any ideas?

thanks

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Answer 5

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,260 points

Nov 18, 2008 1:09 AM in response to duffergirl

Here’s what I can’t get my head around:

The symptoms you describe are indicative of a damaged database file.

Rebuilding with iPhoto Library Manager creates a new library, and hence a new database file.

Yet you immediately have exactly the same symptoms of database corruption in this second, brand new Library.

Is this correct?

Are you sure you’re opening the rebuilt library?

Regards

TD

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Answer 6

duffergirl Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 22, 2008 5:11 AM in response to Yer_Man

Hi again,

If I try this solution an rebuild...what do I need to do to ensure iphoto is pointing to the newly built library? And, subsequently, what are the steps to point back to my original library if this doesn't work?
Additionally, how much space do I need to create another library? Currently my iphoto library is 39gig.
By creating a new library, is it a standalone package or does it have pointers to my original library? Can I delete the original library?

thanks
Tammy

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Answer 7

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,260 points

Nov 22, 2008 5:32 AM in response to duffergirl

So you’ve not actually done this in the past?

Rebuilding with iPhoto Library Manager will recreate your Library. It will take up about the same amount of space. (There maybe a difference as some cache files will not be carried over, but created new as needed.)

It’s a brand new Library it does not have “pointers“ to your original library”.

Yes, if the rebuilt library works, then by all means trash the original damaged one.

To select a Library:

Hold down the option (or alt) key key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library'

Regards

TD

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Answer 8

Nov 22, 2008 9:07 AM in response to Yer_Man

Humm, I also downloaded iPhoto Library Manager but got scared and did not use it.
Instead I found in another forum "To do this hold down cmd+opt when opening iPhoto and following the instructions that pop up."
Indeed it gives you several options to rebuild your iPhoto database.
I am running it right now (40GB) in the hope it will solve my problem with Aperture not being able to see the Events in my iPhoto database.

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Answer 9

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,260 points

Nov 22, 2008 9:26 AM in response to Jan Wessel

Jan

I have no idea if this will solve your problem or not. You have jumped into someone else’s thread. Best to post a new thread for your issue.

Regards

TD

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Answer 10

Nov 22, 2008 9:32 AM in response to Yer_Man

I just responded to "iPhoto Library Manager".
It seems iPhoto has this functionality build in.
I was not aware of that, and wanted to share that knowledge.

As for my Aperture poblem, yes I am watching some other threads too.

Thanks

Jan

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Answer 11

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,260 points

Nov 22, 2008 10:28 AM in response to Jan Wessel

The rebuild function in iPhoto is an integrity check of the iPhoto Database.

The Rebuild function of iPhoto Library Manager is the creation of an entirely new library based on the AlbumData.xml file in the damaged one.

They are two very different commands.

Regards

TD

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Answer 12

Nov 22, 2008 11:10 AM in response to Yer_Man

Thanks for the update on the difference between integrity check and creation of new a iPhoto Library.

(Btw. the integrity check did not solve my problem)

Regards,

Jan

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Answer 13

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,260 points

Nov 22, 2008 11:23 AM in response to Jan Wessel

Sorry to hear that, but I’ve no idea what your problem actually is.

Regards

TD

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Answer 14

Nov 22, 2008 11:58 AM in response to Yer_Man

I started a new topic for my problem:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1799455&stqc=true
Hope you can help.

Regards,

Jan

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Answer 15

duffergirl Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 25, 2008 7:11 AM in response to Yer_Man

Hi there

Yes, I have done this in the past on your recommendation to another post. I am asking these questions now because I have 2 iphoto libraries in my user directory...I couldn't tell which library I was pointing to.

My plan of attack is to delete the 'newlibrary' and rebuild the old library, as per your suggestion. When I originally rebuilt the library I assumed that the application would point to the newly rebuilt library...it wasn't so. So, I have been unwittingly using the original library .. thinking it was the rebuilt library. No wonder I have been so frustrated.

Hopefully, once I do this my problems will go away. My only challenge now is I do not have the physical disc space to recreate the library...since my current library is up to 39 gig. I only have 10 gig of free space available to me. Any suggestions on working around this problem?

thanks again
Tam

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