WHERE are my PHOTOS?????

What is the recovery software you can get? All of my photos and videos were deleted and I need them back. Can you please help me?

So I upgraded my operating system 2 days ago, which I guess, upgraded my IPhoto.... so when I click on IPhoto now I get a message that reads that I have made changes to my library using a newer version of IPhoto so I need to open the newer version of IPhoto, to quit and open the newer version of IPhoto.... which is WHERE? I have searched for it everywhere but I only have the version that does not let me open it!!!!!!

Since I had lost ALL my photos (at least 4-5 years worth!) once, I made a back up into an external hard drive before upgrading the OS.

What should I do?

Should I download IPhoto from the AppStore? And then move the files from the external hard drive into this version?

Is there a place whitin my computer where the newer version of IPhoto that I had before my OS upgrade is located?

I am going NUTS trying to figure this out!

Need HELP!!!!!!!!

Upgrading the Operating System does not update iPhoto.

The error message is likely bogus, and is caused by a damaged database.

What version of iPhoto do you have? Assuming 09 or later:

Option 1

Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Rebuild iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup.

If that fails:

Option 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 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

Do I need to download the free version or the paid version?

I downloadedd the free version...

I click on the rebuild funtcion and it gives me a message: This library cannot be rebuilt because its XML file conatins no image record

The free version.

If you get that message your options are:

Restore from back up or

Reover your pics from the Library and start over from scratch

Terence,

I dowloanded the free version, clicked on rebuild function and got error message.

I then went back and clicked alt/command as I opened IPhoto to try your suggested Option 1 and that worked. I did not download any pics from external hard drive at the time (as I did not have time) and quit IPhoto.

I tried to open IPhoto again today to go ahead and download pics but do not have:

a. The New library I had created a few days back when I rebuild the Iphoto library the first time

b. The option to "Rebuild IPhoto Library Database from Automatic Backup" (which I do not believe I have any backup set up anyway)

What do I do now?

I also would like to know if problem might be solved if I buy IPhoto 11 and then download all pics from external hard drive

Thanks

Try this:

Start over from scratch with new library

Start over with a new library and import the Originals (iPhoto 09 and earlier) or the Masters (iPhoto 11) folder from your original library as follows:

1. Move the existing library folder to the desktop.

2. Open the library package like this.

Click to view full size

3. Launch iPhoto and, when asked, select the option to create a new library.

4. Drag the Originals (iPhoto 09 and earlier) or the Masters (iPhoto 11) folder from the iPhoto Library on the desktop into the open iPhoto window.

Click to view full size

This will create a new library with the same Events as the original library but will not keep the metadata, albums, books slideshows and other projects.

OT

OT,

I dragged IPhoto to desktop.

Control clicked to get Contents

Cannot open IPhoto as I get error message:You can't open your current photo library using this version of IPhoto. You have made changes to your IPhoto library using a newer version of IPhoto. Please quit and use the latest version of IPhoto.

BTW... there is no Library folder in my Contents folder

What next?

That message indicates the Option key wasn't held down at the time of clicking on the library.

OT...

Where would I find the library? As I cannot open IPhoto at all, where would I find it?

here is no Library folder in my Contents folder

It sounds like you moved the iPhoto application to the Desktop and tried to open it. Move the applicaiotn back to the Application folder.

The library should be located in your Pictures folder.

If you don't see the extensions at the end of your files I suggest you go to the Finder ➙ Preferences ➙ Advanced pane and check the box to Show all file name extensions.

That can avoid problems down the line.

OT,

I found several libraries, of which only one had an originals folder when I option clicked on it.

Downloaded that originals folder into new IPhoto library.

Only thing is that originals folder only had pics from 2 1/2 years ago, nothing since then.

I can't seem to open any of the other libraries.

Is there some other place where I can find my latest photos?

Did any of those other libraries have a Masters folder?

I could not open any of those libraries, only one of them and it had a originals folder which I imported into new library on IPhoto.....

I did make a backup onto a hrad drive of all my photos before I upgraded OS.

Should I download those pics onto new library?

I would guess that would be what you would need to do in order to get all of your photos into a working library. Don't get rid of those photos on the external HD. They are a good backup.