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Level 1

17 points

Screensaver source says Loading... for ever

Photo screen saver hasn't worked properly since the previous upgrade of Aperture to combine libraries with iPhoto.

Post the Mountain Lion upgrade, I can't even configure the screensaver. I call up the panel and I can choose the slideshow type (different arrangement of photo shapes on the sceen), but the source drop down offers only a single option "Loading..." even if I leave it for some time - so I can no longer even choose a folder (rather than part of my Aperture library given that there is a running issue with photos from Aperture in the screen saver).

(I've tried choosing one of the non-photo screensavers and then coming back to a photo one, but it's the same, always Loading... in the drop down and Loading Photos... in the preview panel - but never anything else.

Has anyone else seen this? (who has Aperture - as I guess this is still linked to the problem introduced by the pre-Mountain Lion Aperture update - I've taken the Aperture upgrade that is available immediately after upgrading to Mountain Lion).

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion, Aperture 3.3.2

Posted on Jul 28, 2012 2:13 AM

55 replies

hedgert Author

Level 1

17 points

Mar 13, 2013 1:32 PM in response to PrettyGreenParrot

I just tried this - taking the originals offline and the behaviour was unchanged.

Despite my 50,000 photo library 120 GB with images relocated and 700 GB with images added I got photos appearing in the screensaver within 60 seconds of the screen blanking.

Seems to me like the library import into a new library has acted a big like a disk defrag - the whole Aperture application is performing faster and screensaver has gone from useful/not working to working as it used to.

Mar 13, 2013 4:52 PM in response to hedgert

I have resolved the issue on my machine, too. I had tried just renaming the Aperture and iPhoto libraries, but hadn't opened those apps or created new libraries. Once I did that, the screensaver worked and I could choose any folder I want. Once I reverted to the old iPhoto library it stopped working again. My conclusion is that there's a problem with the way the libraries are shared with the screensaver when there are photos in the library that have missing originals causing the screensaver system prefs panel to hang.

Mar 14, 2013 12:10 AM in response to hedgert

Thanks for that extra info. Sounds like I need to create a new library and try importing the old library into it.

jfaughnan

Level 3

870 points

Mar 18, 2013 6:35 PM in response to hedgert

Lots of good tips in this thread. I saw mentions of several things that can cause an Aperture based screensaver slideshow to fail including referenced images, inclusion of videos, etc.

In my case, after months of the screensaver unpredictablly failing to start (thus creating a security issue) the problem was resolved.

I don't know what the fix was, as I did 3 things:

upgraded to 10.8.3
ran Aperture repair database [1]
ran Aperture fix permissions

If I had to bet I'd say repairing the database did the trick for me.

[1] http://documentation.apple.com/en/aperture/usermanual/index.html#chapter=27%26se ction=10%26tasks=true

jrhaskew

Level 1

0 points

Mar 19, 2013 6:37 PM in response to jrhaskew

The problem with malfunction of the screen saver was resolved magically when I downloaded a free screen saver "Mandelbrot Screen Saver". Maybe this will help others experiencing this frustrating problem. I hope so and wish you success.

Rich

H100

Level 1

0 points

Mar 22, 2013 6:32 AM in response to jrhaskew

What worked for me was booting into recovery mode and fixing the disk and permissions, then running all three of the Aperture repair options

Jul 30, 2013 6:11 PM in response to Sean Hassett

boo hoo.

vitaal

Level 1

0 points

Nov 11, 2013 9:12 AM in response to jfaughnan

In my case the problem with screensaver loading pictures for ever was in damaged iPhoto library.

It contained reference to photos stored on network drive which was not in use anymore.

I tried all tools & methods described here, but here's two that were helpful in my case:

1. Renaming iPhoto/Aperture library - worked out, but such solution just temporary.

As soon as you connect renamed library to iPhoto/Apperture the problem reiterates.

2. Use iPhoto Library Manager - that's what did solve the issue.

I completely rebuilt library with it and finally fixed all "broken" references.

Whole thing took a long time but it's worth to try.

Just try it

Feb 3, 2014 11:30 AM in response to edward67

Hi edward67,

I've been having the same issue. I have 2 monitors plugged in, one with through the Thunderbolt and one through the USB on my MB Air (OS 10.9.1). If I unplug them the external monitors, I can get the screensaver to work... if I then plug in the one through the Thunderbolt, it still works. However, as soon as I plug in the monitor through the USB, the screensaver stops working. Were you able to find any solutions?

edward67

Level 1

8 points

Feb 3, 2014 10:48 PM in response to sarahipad2user

Hi sarahipad2user

I'm afraid not. What was working (2 new thunderbolt displays with late 2012 MBP Retina) has now stopped working since upgrading to 10.9.1. I've given up trying to use the screensaver / photo option, and am back to 'Flurry' - a waste of time and energy.

Sorry not to be of more help,

Edward

Screensaver source says Loading... for ever