iMovie does not save projects - hours of work lost

Meg makes a good point,

Available free space is a big deal. Also make sure that FileVault is not turned on. TimeMachine would not cause the behavior you describe when functioning normally. Couple of additional things you might want to consider:
1.) Run Disk Utility Repair Disk from the Mac OS X install disk http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1782
2.) Don't leave iMovie running for 4 hours straight. iMovie only finalizes the project database file when you quit. Quit iMovie every 30 min - 1 hour or so and then re-open. Even better, close it, run a Time Machine backup. Then re-open. This isn't a permanent solution but it will ensure you get backups of your work as you go to avoid additional frustration from lost work.

Good luck.

Hey Mulling,

Sorry to hear about the data loss.
#1 if you have Time Machine up and running you can potentially restore your work. If you don't have a backup, consider it. Any computer user should have a backup if they care at all about their data (Mac, Windows, Unix, doesn't matter).

#2 Update all the software on your computer (Apple Menu > Software update). iMovie is up to version 8.0.6 (Go to iMovie > About iMovie to check your version).

#3 The permissions on your events / projects folder may be wrong / damaged so iMovie can't save the changes you are making.
-- Make a new folder on the desktop
-- Drag ~/Movies/iMovie Projects and iMovie Events into the folder on the destkop
-- Click on that folder once and go to File > Get Info
-- Go down to the bottom under "Sharing and Permissions"
-- Make sure your name is in the list with Read / Write
-- Unlock the padlock
-- Click on the wheel / cog at the bottom of the window and click on "Apply to enclosed"
-- Put the iMovie events and iMovie projects folders back where they came from

If the issue persists move the following to the trash and restart the computer:
~/Library/Caches
~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.imovie7.plist or just imovie.plist

Hope that helps.

Just a guess, but . . .
Is your disk drive full, or very close to full?
This would account for the the inability of iMovie to save your projects and also the crash while attempting the export.
You normally want to operate with about 30% of total disk capacity available for use.
Hope this helps.

MTD

I work for a school district where we have numerous students use imovie. This is a VERY common and frustrating problem the students have. Maybe Apple needs to put a SAVE button in the program so a person can save the program on a regular basis (Switching to final cut next year!).

Just downgraded my IMovie from the one I installed from ILife. Video clips in the event library work fine now although I've lost the edits I already completed in the project window.

Unfortunately I removed much of the footage I put in the event library and now must re-import.

Major problems with Imovie 9 need to be fixed.

Arghhhh Just used iMovie 09 for the first time and spent 6 hours editing and lost almost everything.

I start the video with some pics and it saves them but will not remember any video I add. If iI back out into the project screen it shows the added videos but looses them when I close iMovie.

Arghhhh

in my opinion is'nt a problem of free hard disk space or preferences but only the last imovie update.
someone can suggest me how to downgrade to imovie 7?

yes, my intuition was good. You have to downgrade to imovie 8.0 version and all works ok

Hello Everyone

Please ignore........we have had an Alf failure. I had not updated iMovie and have done so now. All fixed......works perfectly now...... Sorry.

Cheers
Happy Alf