Black exclamation mark in iPhoto

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Level 1

19 points

Black exclamation mark in iPhoto

I downloaded photos off my cell phone via bluetooth. The photos went into my documents folder. I then dragged them into iPhoto 09, then trashed the ones in the documents folder (that was my big oops). Now the thumbnails are there in iPhoto but come up as black exclamation marks when I try to view them. I rebuilt iPhoto library in every way possible including from auto back up and still no luck. I just want a few select photos so I went to file, browse back ups, went into time machine and was able to restore a couple. The rest won't restore, my favourite photo won't restore. I tried going into time machine to the exact time and date that I downloaded off my cell phone into the documents folder and no luck. I had already trashed them before time machine could do its work so they aren't there either. I erased off my cell too. Hmmmm. Anything left for me to do?

Thanks

iMac 2 GHz Intel Core Duo, Mac OS X (10.6.3)

Posted on Mar 25, 2012 10:52 PM

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Answer 1

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,320 points

Mar 25, 2012 11:39 PM in response to runnerfun

Are you running a Managed or a Referenced Library?

A Managed Library, is the default setting, and iPhoto copies files into the iPhoto Library when Importing. The files are then stored in the Library package

A Referenced Library is when iPhoto is NOT copying the files into the iPhoto Library when importing because you made a change at iPhoto -> Preferences -> Advanced. (You unchecked the option to copy files into the Library on import) The files are then stored where ever you put them and not in the Library package. In this scenario you are responsible for the File Management.

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Answer 2

runnerfun Author

Level 1

19 points

Mar 26, 2012 10:18 PM in response to Yer_Man

It appears I'm running a managed library. Is there anything I can do from this point?

Thanks Terence.

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Answer 3

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,320 points

Mar 26, 2012 10:47 PM in response to runnerfun

Go to your Pictures Folder and find the iPhoto Library there. Right (or Control-) Click on the icon and select 'Show Package Contents'. A finder window will open with the Library exposed.

Look in the Masters Folder. Can you see the photos there?

Make no changes inside the Library. Just look.

Regards

TD

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Answer 4

runnerfun Author

Level 1

19 points

Mar 26, 2012 11:19 PM in response to Yer_Man

Found where you have directed me but nothing called "masters" folder. I have the following folders: Auto Import, Before Restore, Before Restore_2, Caches, Contents, Data, Data.noindex, iPod Photo Cache, Metadata Backup, Modified, and Originals. 4 of those folders contain dates ranging in order from 2006 to 2012. Found the photos that I could not back up...including my favourite but not sure how to recover from this point or if it is even possible. Am I on the right track?

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Answer 5

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,320 points

Mar 27, 2012 12:29 AM in response to runnerfun

Apologies, Masters is a folder in the iPhoto 11 Library, as you're on 09 then it's the Originals folder that we're looking for.

Let's try fix iPhoto then:

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

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Answer 6

runnerfun Author

Level 1

19 points

Mar 28, 2012 7:57 AM in response to Yer_Man

I downloaded iPhoto Library Manager and rebuilt all 8000 photos LOL. Unfortunately the log reads:

2011/2011-06-03/Photo0094.jpg

12-03-27 21:34:38.606 *** Error: Missing photo: no file found at /Users/runnerfun/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Originals/

All my other cell phone pictures are missing as well except the few that I was able to restore from Time Machine. So I think I really messed up deleting the ones out of the documents folder that day. Appreciate all your help Terence.

By the way, Photo0094 was in the Library Originals folder yesterday but I've checked and it isn't there in the new library or the old one. Any ideas where would it be located at this point?

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