iPhoto no longer saves events

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Level 1

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iPhoto no longer saves events

I have been using iPhoto (currently version 8.1.2) for a number of years but recently its behaviour has become erratic. I sync it with my iPhone and it creates new events. However once I quit and restart iPhoto these events no longer appear. I have checked the iPhoto package contents and the photos are in the Originals subfolder. I have run the rebuild process to recover orphaned photos and this worked for the first couple of times. However now I can run the full rebuild process and the events are still not created.

I have also found that when I sync with my iPhone iPhoto displays my entire camera roll under devices even though "Hide photos already imported" is ticked. Previously it used to only show photos that had not yet been imported.

In terms of changes I have:

1) upgraded to OS X 10.8.2

2) upgraded to IOS 6.0.1

3) moved my iPhoto folder to Google Drive to back these up online. I thought that this might be the culprit but I had moved the library before the problems commenced. I have also quit Google Drive and run the rebuild process and still the events are not created.

I am now completely stumped and would really appreciate any assistance that people can provide.

Thanks in advance

Tony

iPhoto '08, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Jan 2, 2013 4:44 PM

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Answer 1

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,314 points

Jan 3, 2013 12:51 AM in response to TonyO_NZ

As a Test:

Hold down the option (or alt) key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Create Library'

Import a few pics into this new, blank library. Is the Problem repeated there?

moved my iPhoto folder to Google Drive to back these up online.

iPhoto needs to have the Library sitting on disk formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Users with the Library sitting on disks otherwise formatted regularly report issues including, but not limited to, importing, saving edits and sharing the photos. Are you sure your back up won't be corrupted?

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Answer 2

TonyO_NZ Author

Level 1

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Jan 3, 2013 11:49 AM in response to Yer_Man

Hi Terence

I created a new blank library and imported some photos as suggested. I quit iPhoto and when I restarted it the photos were all still displaying. I then created some events but it would not save the name I gave them. I quit iPhoto, restarted and tried again. This time the names were retained. I then created some new events and again the name would not save. I quit iPhoto, restarted it and this time the names will not save.

In terms of where my library is stored it is still on my main drive where the original library was, just in a different folder.

So it looks like the problem is improved with a new blank library but not completely resolved. Does this provide any insight as to what the problem might ne?

regards

Tony

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Answer 3

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,314 points

Jan 3, 2013 1:46 PM in response to TonyO_NZ

Create a new account (systempreferences -> accounts or Users & Groups on 10.7 and 10.8), make a new Library in that account, import some shots and see if the problem is repeated there.

My point about Google Drive (and similar services) is that the back up may be corrupted...

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Answer 4

Old Toad

Level 10

207,439 points

Jan 3, 2013 3:33 PM in response to TonyO_NZ

Try this basic troubleshooting: make a temporary, backup copy (if you don't already have a backup copy) of the library and try the following:

1 - delete the iPhoto preference file, com.apple.iPhoto.plist, that resides in your

User/Home/Library/ Preferences folder.

2 - delete iPhoto's cache file, Cache.db, that is located in your

User/Home/Library/Caches/com.apple.iPhoto folder (Snow Leopard and Earlier).

or with Mt. Lion from the User/Library/Containers/com.apple.iPhoto/
Data/Library/Caches/com.apple.iPhoto folder

3 - launch iPhoto and try again.

NOTE: If you're moved your library from its default location in your Home/Pictures folder you will have to point iPhoto to its new location when you next open iPhoto by holding down the Option key when launching iPhoto. You'll also have to reset the iPhoto's various preferences.

NOTE 2: In Lion and Mountain Lion the Library folder is now invisible. To make it permanently visible enter the following in the Terminal application window: chflags nohidden ~/Library and hit the Enter button - 10.7: Un-hide the User Library folder.

OT

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Answer 5

TonyO_NZ Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 3, 2013 3:48 PM in response to Yer_Man

Hi Terence

I created a new user account, loaded some photos and created some events. Everything appears to be working as it should.

Does this indicate a problem with my account?

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Answer 6

TonyO_NZ Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 3, 2013 3:56 PM in response to Old Toad

I deleted the preference file as per step 1.

I deleted the cache.db file from the location specified for Snow Leopard and earlier. I am on Mountain Lion but there is no folder for com.apple.iPhoto under Containers. Is this because the Mac came with Snow Leopard when I bought it?

I restarted iPhoto, tried to recover orphaned photos and there is still no sign of the events I created. The recent photos are definitely in the iPhoto package file.

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Answer 7

Old Toad

Level 10

207,439 points

Jan 4, 2013 10:04 AM in response to TonyO_NZ

Since iPhoto works as it should in the new account your current account is causing the problem. It could be a preference file other than iPhoto's that is interferring with iPhoto. Here's a way to determine if that's the case:

Trouble Shooting Preferences

NOTE: In Lion and Mountain Lion the Library folder is now invisible. To make it permanently visible enter the following in the Terminal application window: chflags nohidden ~/Library and hit the Enter button - 10.7: Un-hide the User Library folder.

1 - close all applications.

2 - open your Home/Library folder and Option-drag (copy) the Preferences folder to the Desktop.

3 - select the contents of your Home/Library/Preferences folder and drag them into the Trash bin in the Dock. You will be asked to provide your Admin password.

4 - reboot.

5 - run the application again and determine if the problems is fixed

6 - If the problem is fixed:

A - open the working Home/Library/Preferences folder.

B - Open the Preferences folder on the Desktop, select all of the contents and drag them into the working Home/Library/Preferences folder.

C - When the Copy window pops up check the "Apply to All" check box and then click on the Don't Replace or Skip button.

D - reboot.

7 - If the problem is NOT fixed, drag the contents of the Preference folder on the Desktop into the Home/Library/Preference folder and replace the entire contents that were created by clicking on Replace.

8 - reboot.

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Answer 8

TonyO_NZ Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 4, 2013 1:35 PM in response to Old Toad

I followed your instructions but still no progress. I deleted the preferences folders, rebooted, ran iPhoto and rebuilt the library looking for orphans and these still do not appear.

I have had a look at the package contents and I noticed that iPhotoLock.data was created on 16 Nov 2009 which is when I got my Mac. iPhotoMain.db was created on 11 Dec 2012 and I have no photos dated since 8 Dec 2012 in my events. Does that provide any clues?

regards

Tony

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