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Level 1

25 points

Why does iphoto really never delete a photo? Can someone explain.

Hi all.

I have an iphoto library. I'll often import hundreds of pics at a time. I go through and delete bad pics I don't want.

i.e. I put pics in trash and then empty trash. I do try not to put more than 100 in trash at any one time before emptying. Sometimes there is more that than. But I do empty trash frequently from iphoto.

To my surprise, I went into my computer/pictures/ Saw my library. Right clicked and show package contents.

I looked in the masters folder....

EVERY PICTURE IS THERE. Including hundreds of ones I have 'deleted'.

They don't show in my events in Iphoto... but there are there 'behnid the scenes I guess'.

What is going on???

Any explaination would be greately appreciated.

MacBookPro

Posted on Feb 9, 2013 4:01 PM

30 replies

Tigervision Author

Level 1

25 points

Feb 10, 2013 4:33 PM in response to Tigervision

OT... you are talking about deleting both the FOLDERS. Right? Both of them, and the entire folder.

Is it best to put on desktop incase I need it again?

TD, what is your opinion about deleting those two folders?

Finally, is there any chance that my iphoto libraries won't work if I do that? Because if there is even a slim chance, not sure I want to risk it.

Thanks for input from you both.

Old Toad

Level 10

207,607 points

Feb 10, 2013 4:45 PM in response to Tigervision

No, just the Cache.db file and the com.apple.iPhoto.plist file.

When you see the two 2013 libraries in the window click on each and see where they are located as the file path will be displayed just below the window.

Maybe you have a second 2013 library somewhere else.

Tigervision Author

Level 1

25 points

Feb 10, 2013 5:45 PM in response to Old Toad

What does deleting those files do?

Is there a potential for harming libraries from opening?

Does the Mac recreate these upon launching iPhoto?

Should I just move out of folder and save them?

Both 'libraries' are located in the exact same place when looking at your screen shot. In my pictures folder. When I use finder there is only one in there.

If I move it to EHD. Then unplug that. Then delete from ihd. None show up (rightfully).

Add it back to pictures folder. Shows up two times again. But only one in pictures folder in finder.

Clicking either one like your screen shot opens the same thing.

Thanks.

Old Toad

Level 10

207,607 points

Feb 11, 2013 9:00 AM in response to Tigervision

Those files can get corrupted and deleting them causes them to be recreate back to original "factory" specs. You just have to reset the preferences in iPhoto's preference panes back to what you had. Also read the first Note in my first post here if you have your library somewhere other than in your Pictures folder.

Physically, it has nothing to do with your library per se.

Tigervision Author

Level 1

25 points

Feb 11, 2013 9:57 AM in response to Old Toad

Thanks OT. I deleted the plist one. Then I didn't see duplicates the first few times... then I did.

I didn't delete the cache one because I couldn't remember where it was and this site was down last night.

I will try deleting the cache one later tonight.

I do only have libraries in my picture folders only (and no EHD).

I wonder if something is wrong with my iphoto program itself????? Some pics are still not being deleted even though an iphoto folder shows up in trash. And in my iphoto only the pics I want are there. But in the masters, there are erroneous pictures I have deleted in the past.

OT, can I ask a favor... can you look in your masters folder and see if you have just one picture there that is not in your library? I have a hard time believing I am the only one having this problem. ???

Also, there is a big problem with apple products not deleting stuff, even though we think they are. Just look at the iphone and the 'other' category. Some people have bloated others that are full of stuff they previously deleted.

Anyway, thanks again.

Tigervision Author

Level 1

25 points

Feb 17, 2013 5:27 PM in response to Tigervision

Hey OT and TD....

I rebuilt another library... and it shows a duplicate again.

Have you ever rebuilt a library and/or did you have this problem?

It seems deleting the cache and plist, will solve problem.

I think I have a corrupted iphoto program.

Thoughts?

Thanks.

Tigervision Author

Level 1

25 points

Feb 17, 2013 6:02 PM in response to Tigervision

To clarify.

If I rebuild a library. I see the new library name and TWO of the same name of the library that was rebuilt. Both of those two point to the same place/file. But of course, there is really only one library.

Thanks.

Old Toad

Level 10

207,607 points

Feb 18, 2013 8:14 AM in response to Tigervision

Try booting in to Safe Mode, Mac OS X: Starting up in Safe Mode, and the reboot normally. Launch iPhoto and see if that helps. A Safe Mode books clears lots of system and application caches as well as run repair routines. It has helped another user with a reoccurring problem.

Tigervision Author

Level 1

25 points

Feb 18, 2013 8:41 AM in response to Old Toad

Thanks OT. Will give a try.

Any thoughts on uninstalling iPhoto program and reinstalling?

I don't known how to do that so would need to call apple (and pay for advice since my computer is 3.5 years old).

Seems all works fine other than not fully deleting photos even when in trash and trash emptied.

Ps. I'm sure you know this but FYI there appears to be a new version of ILM.

Old Toad

Level 10

207,607 points

Feb 18, 2013 8:45 AM in response to Tigervision

If your iPhoto came with your Mac or from an iLife disk do the following: delete the current application and all files with "iPhoto" in the file name with either a .PKG or .BOM extension that reside in the:

HD/Library/Receipts folder (10.5 and earlier)

or from the /var/db/receipts/ folder (10.6) .

or from the /private/var/db/receipts folder (10.7 or later)

Then install iPhoto from the source it came from originally.

If you purchased iPhoto 9 from the App Store just move the iPhoto application to the Trash bin in the Dock, go to the App Store, go to Purchases and download and install.

Tigervision Author

Level 1

25 points

Feb 18, 2013 11:42 AM in response to Old Toad

Do I just leave my multiple iPhoto libraries in the home/pictures folder during this?

Of course I have copied those libraries to an EHD as a back up.

What is difference between pkg and bom files. Seems like other blogs say to delete pkg files and don't mention bom?

Thx.

Old Toad

Level 10

207,607 points

Feb 18, 2013 2:06 PM in response to Tigervision

BOM stands for bill of materials and is used in Lion and later. The pkg files have similar info inside as to what's been installed previously. With iPhoto having been purchased from the App Store deleting those files is probably not necessary.

There's no reason to move the libraries as you still want to use them, right? It's only the application that needs to be moved/deleted.

Tigervision Author

Level 1

25 points

Feb 18, 2013 4:15 PM in response to Old Toad

Thanks OT.

I deleted iPhoto and reinstalled it.

I'll report back in coming days and weeks to let this discussion know how things go when deleting photos.

Btw. I also used ILM to create a 'second backup' on an EHD. I rebuilt each of my libraries to an EHD. Since I know ILM will put in that library only the pics that show within iPhoto. Ie. will not copy over erroneous pics that are hiding in Masters folder, if any exist.

Old Toad

Level 10

207,607 points

Feb 18, 2013 4:28 PM in response to Tigervision

There is a way to create a library with ALL of the photos that are present in the Masters folder for comparison to what you've got now in case some of the orphaned photos in the Masters folder are ones that you might want to keep.

Starting 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. Open the library package like this.

2. Launch iPhoto with the Option key held down and, when asked, select the option to create a new library.

3. Drag the subfolders of the Originals (iPhoto 09 and earlier) or the Masters (iPhoto 11) folder from the open iPhoto Library package into the open iPhoto window a few at a time.

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

Note: your current library will be left untouched for further attempts at a fix if so desired.

Tigervision Author

Level 1

25 points

Feb 18, 2013 9:55 PM in response to Old Toad

Thanks OT.

My problem is that after a crash a few months back, my 'restore' of my library put in a few thousands of pics I didn't want. It was painful to see that (i.e. I had one event that I narrowed down to 500 pics, and it went up to 900+.... 400 pics I had previously 'deleted'). So that is why I made a 'second backup' of my libraries using ILM rebuild.

I still find it hard to believe that I am the only one with this problem. I mean.... really? I'm sure if everyone were to look into their master folders, there would be at least some pictures there that shouldn't be there from previously being 'deleted'... sigh....

Until my next big upload... I'll have to wait and see if my pics I put in trash are truely deleted.

Why does iphoto really never delete a photo? Can someone explain.