I got the same error. Normally I would perform a Repair Database command by holding down Option-Command while launching Aperture, but that just gave me the same error without any options to repair the database.
Instead, I had to follow these instructions in the Aperture user manual. The key is to locate the Aperture library file on your hard drive and then hold Option-Command while double-clicking the Aperture library file.
Choose the REPAIR DATABASE option.
-- excerpt from user manual --
To repair or rebuild your Aperture library
Close Aperture, if it’s open.
Locate the Aperture library you want to fix, then hold down the Command and Option keys while double-clicking the Aperture library.
The Aperture Library First Aid dialog appears.
In the Aperture Library First Aid dialog, do one of the following:
To repair the permissions of the files within your Aperture library: Select Repairing Permissions.
This option should be used when Aperture can’t access some of the image files within the database or Aperture is unable to open the library itself. The Repairing Permissions option reviews each file in your Aperture library and sets the read and write access of each file where appropriate, allowing Aperture to access the files again.
Note: This option does not relocate referenced images whose master image files are offline. For more information about reconnecting offline images, see Reconnecting Missing or Offline Referenced Images.
To repair your Aperture library file: Select Repair Database.
This is the first option you should use if you believe there is something wrong with the Aperture library other than image file access issues.
To rebuild your database from scratch: Click Rebuild Database.
This option should be used as your last measure as it can be time-consuming for large image libraries. If you have tried repairing your database, and the issues you are encountering with your Aperture library still persist, you should use the Rebuild Database option. Aperture examines the library’s entire database and rebuilds each component until it reconstitutes your original Aperture library.
Depending on your selection, click Repair or Rebuild.
Aperture either fixes file permissions within the library or repairs or rebuilds the library, and then opens the application workspace.
P.S. I had about 50,000 images in my library. The repair status bar looked like it was stuck at 0% for a couple minutes, but then it jumped to 50%. Then it looked like it got stuck at 50%, but then it finally jumped to 100% after several minutes. Just let it run without interrupting it.
Also, I was able to open my Aperture library from a different user account on the same Mac, so it must have been something weird with my user profile.
Make sure the drive your library is on is formatted as Mac OS Extended and not MS DOS. You can determine this by doing a Get Info (CMD+I) on the drive and looking at Format under the General info. If it is MS DOS you will need to back up your data and format to Mac OS Extended using Disk Utility.
I'm having the same problem. Except when I command/option double click on Aperture, the error message comes up, and my only option is to Quit. I never get the chance to Repair or Rebuild.
I restored the library with Time Machine but that didn't help.
If my user profile got messed up, is there a way to restore it.
I really like Aperture, but this is getting kind of frustrating.
I just started having the same issue as mentioned in this thread. No matter what I do, I cannot get the Library First Aid to open up.
Here is a bit more detail on my situation:
- I was using Aperture to import about 600 RAW files from my camera, which it did fine.
- I played around for a bit with the photos then quit
- I ran Software Update and finally installed the latest update and the camera complatability update
- Now all I get is "There was an error opening you database..." etc.
- Holding Option-Commmand whist opening Aperture (from dock, application folder, or clicking on the library file) fails to bring up the Library First Aid
Had the same problem with Aperture 3. Just noticed the only way to get the First Aid to open was by holding down CMD before holding down the Option key... Somehow this worked, go figure...
