I have lost my iphoto library, it is now just a white package icon

Often that's an indication that the iPhoto application has been deleted from the hard drive. Confirm that you do have a working iPhoto application located in your Applications folder. If it's there launch it with the Option key held down and select the problem library in the window that comes up. Will that open it?

Also:

using mackeeper

GET RID OF MACKEEPER! It's considered by many here as maleware and strongly advised against using it. See Linc Davis' post in this topic on how to remove it: removing ads by browse to save: Apple Support Communities.

OT

Mac Keeper is more like a virus that a way to avoid virsus - you do not need a virus program on your Mac - the best way to keep safe is to not click on links in e-mails and to not download Malwear like Mac Keeper

IT appears that it destroyed your iPhoto library - you do have a backup to go to don't you? That is the next step -- otherwise you are probably going to have to srate over with your originals form iPhoto and remake yur library

There is more on MacKeeper in the user tips - https://discussions.apple.com/community/ilife/iphoto?view=documents

LN

I go to the only iphoto library i can find . This iphoto package that has 16Gb inside apparently, it is kind of "greyed" out if you know what I mean, like something that is not suitable file for the iphoto program, ,so it cannot be opened

It looks like that library may have you image files but is damaged so iPhoto can't use it. Give this a try:

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.

If you load and run malwear like MacKeeper on your system and if you have no backup (the MOST critical step in safeguarding data) then you are going to lose data and photos -

At this stage you may not have lost yoru photos (althougth MacKeeper may have deleted them) but simply access to them do to your actions corrupting the iPhoto library - OT just posted instructions for starting over and creating a new library from your Masters (originals)

Critically you must get a good backup in place ASAP or you will lose everything else too = Time Machine is a good starting place

LN

You don't need a virus protection app as there are no know viruses for the Mac OS operating system. You'd be wasting your enery and some of the Macs if you install an anti virus app.

Here is some info on that subject:

Viruses, Trojans, Malware - and other aspects of Internet Security: Apple Support Communities

The Safe Mac » Mac Malware Guide : Do I need anti-virus software?

The following is by the author of the above:

I personally don’t use AV software. It simply is not necessary at this time for someone who is cautious about their online activities.

MacKeeper is not bad because it is third party soiftware - it is bad because it is done by a bad company that uses bad marketing and does bad things to systems -- I personally use and recommend lots of thrird party software - i even tried Mac Keeper for a few hours till I saw that it was doing

Good thrid party software for use with iPhoto in cludes PhotoShop or PhotoShop elements (bridge however can not be use with iPhoto), Duplicate Annahalitor, iPhoto Library Manager, HouDahGeo, File Salvage, Media recover, etc

And there is simply no need for virus software on yur Mac - no experianced Mac user tha tI knwo uses any - I do not

LN

Been using Macs for more than 20 years and never had a virsu app except Clam Xav. I use it to help my Windows using friends avoid virus infections should I pass one one inadvertently. I suspect that you need to seek help using Clam X. It's not that hard or complicated.

Stop wasting your time with anti-virus junk.

What should I now use as a virus program? Are these programs not necessary on the MAC?

... My mission is to find a simple virus protection and start all over again.

... I just want something simple.

Your chosen anti-virus solution is likely to have caused the problem to begin with. OS X already includes everything it needs to protect itself from viruses and malware. Keep it updated with software updates from Apple. It doesn't get any simpler than that.

A much better question is "how should I protect my Mac":

• Never install any product that claims to "speed up", "clean up", "optimize", or "accelerate" your Mac. Without exception, they will do the opposite.
• Never install pirated or "cracked" software, software obtained from dubious websites, or other questionable sources. Illegally obtained software is almost certain to contain malware.
• Don’t supply your password in response to a popup window requesting it, unless you know what it is and the reason your credentials are required.
• Don’t open email attachments from email addresses that you do not recognize, or click links contained in an email:
  • Most of these are scams that direct you to fraudulent sites that attempt to convince you to disclose personal information.
  • Such "phishing" attempts are the 21st century equivalent of a social exploit that has existed since the dawn of civilization. Don’t fall for it.
  • Apple will never ask you to reveal personal information in an email. If you receive an unexpected email from Apple saying your account will be closed unless you take immediate action, just ignore it. If your iTunes or App Store account becomes disabled for valid reasons, you will know when you try to buy something or log in to this support site, and are unable to.
• Don’t install browser extensions unless you understand their purpose. Go to the Safari menu > Preferences > Extensions. If you see any extensions that you do not recognize or understand, simply click the Uninstall button and they will be gone.
• Don’t install Java unless you are certain that you need it:
  • Java, a non-Apple product, is a potential vector for malware. If you are required to use Java, be mindful of that possibility.
  • Disable Java in Safari > Preferences > Security.
  • Despite its name JavaScript is unrelated to Java. No malware can infect your Mac through JavaScript. It’s OK to leave it enabled.
• Block browser popups: Safari menu > Preferences > Security > and check "Block popup windows":
  • Popup windows are useful and required for some websites, but popups have devolved to become a common means to deliver targeted advertising that you probably do not want.
  • Popups themselves cannot infect your Mac, but many contain resource-hungry code that will slow down Internet browsing.
  • If you ever see a popup indicating it detected registry errors, that your Mac is infected with some ick, or that you won some prize, it is 100% fraudulent. Ignore it.
• Ignore hyperventilating popular media outlets that thrive by promoting fear and discord with entertainment products arrogantly presented as "news". Learn what real threats actually exist and how to arm yourself against them:
  • The most serious threat to your data security is phishing. To date, most of these attempts have been pathetic and are easily recognized, but that is likely to change in the future as criminals become more clever.
  • OS X viruses do not exist, but intentionally malicious or poorly written code, created by either nefarious or inept individuals, is nothing new.
  • Never install something without first knowing what it is, what it does, how it works, and how to get rid of it when you don’t want it any more.
  • If you elect to use "anti-virus" software, familiarize yourself with its limitations and potential to cause adverse effects, and apply the principle immediately preceding this one.
  • Most such utilities will only slow down and destabilize your Mac while they look for viruses that do not exist, conveying no benefit whatsoever - other than to make you "feel good" about security, when you should actually be exercising sound judgment, derived from accurate knowledge, based on verifiable facts.
• Do install updates from Apple as they become available. No one knows more about Macs and how to protect them than the company that builds them.

Summary: Use common sense and caution when you use your Mac, just like you would in any social context. There is no product, utility, or magic talisman that can protect you from all the evils of mankind.

Look folks, the original question is PROBABLY about permissions!!!!

If you have ever had an external drive, or migrated from one Mac to another, getting the dang "packages" to remain packages is a PAIN.

Especially if you've got different users, and different systems.

SO. I have the same problem. I've got five iPhoto libraries in one folder on my external drive from another mac. THREE of them have lovely wonderful iPhoto icons and the file "Kind" is "iPhoto Library". The other two are standard folders whose kind is "package".

Right?

More interestingly, I'm doing a command line copy from one disk to another and on the fresh copy, amazingly the gray folder has magically turned BACK into an iPhoto Library!

So, the issue seems to be some confusion around file owner, file permissions, secret package information, etc.

The question is, how do you take a generic "package" and force it to turn back into an "iPhoto Library" knowing that it once was an "iPhoto Library" and knowing that (as in the original questioner case) it has 14Gb of wonderful iPhoto Library goodness in there?

Granted you can't just change the "Default Application".

There must be a way to say "HEY THIS PACKAGE IS AN iPhoto Library"!

Right? So. How does one do this?

It used to be the "Type and Creator Code" on ancient macs. Using command lines and other tools I'm just not seeing this package information.

Thanks all! And thanks for clarifying the silly virus situation. Irrelevant but good to say.

Look folks, the original question is PROBABLY about permissions!!!!

Probably not. Sounds more like an issue with the Finder and the Launch Services database. I'd be asking that on the 'Using Mac OS X forum for whatever version of OS X that you have.

If you have ever had an external drive, or migrated from one Mac to another, getting the dang "packages" to remain packages is a PAIN.

Can't think how many Macs I've migrated between - but it's in the hundreds now - and no, it's not a pain. It's simple.

What format are the EHDs? To hold the iPhoto library they must be Mac OX extended (journaled)

LN