How to get iPhoto back after hard disk crash

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How to get iPhoto back after hard disk crash

My iMac hard disk crashed after 18 months. Having used PCs since the early 80's this is my first Apple product and I will never go back. Having said that I was very disappointed to have the disk fail so soon. But I digress. I have now installed a new drive and loaded Snow Leopard but there is not iLife software on the disk. I checked the disk which came with the iMac and I don't see the iLife suite there either. My question is: How do I get the iLife software which came with my iMac and I assumed I owned a license for back?

iMac 24", Mac OS X (10.6.1)

Posted on Oct 22, 2009 7:31 PM

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Answer 1

LarryHN

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106,110 points

Oct 22, 2009 7:51 PM in response to gedelen

Yes iLife is on the original restore disks - do a custom install of bundled software only - click here for the MacWorld article on this.

LN

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Answer 2

gedelen Author

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Oct 23, 2009 5:11 AM in response to LarryHN

I tried the custom install and see iCal, Mail etc. but not the iLife suite with iPhoto.

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Answer 3

LarryHN

Level 10

106,110 points

Oct 23, 2009 9:12 AM in response to gedelen

iPhoto is on the original restore disks that came with your computer (NOT on the SL disk).

iLife is on the original restore disks

In the MacWorld article did you see this?

If you’d like to reinstall applications that aren’t offered in the Custom Install screen—applications in the Utilities folder, for example—you can use Charles Srstka’s $20 Pacifist. It works this way:

LN

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Answer 4

Old Toad

Level 10

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Oct 23, 2009 12:06 PM in response to gedelen

Look here:

Click to view full size

TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto (iPhoto.Library for iPhoto 5 and earlier versions) database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
I've created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger or later), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. There are versions that are compatible with iPhoto 5, 6, 7 and 8 libraries and Tiger and Leopard. Just put the application in the Dock and click on it whenever you want to backup the dB file. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

NOTE: The new rebuild option in iPhoto 09 (v. 8.0.2), Rebuild the iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup" makes this tip obsolete.

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