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Level 1

9 points

"source" locks at "loading" and no image-screensaver can be selected

The problem that I am experiencing (and many others like me as I have noticed in several fora) is that the "source" when selecting an image screensaver blocks at "loading" while nothing happens and no (folder or aperture library) source can be selected. The problem started basically since Apple blocked the possibility to use a folder with images in subfolders as source for a screensaver as used to work perfectly in Snowleopard. But while Mountain Lion only works with iPhoto or Aperture libraries it made the system susceptible to windows like errors.

When selecting a slideshow-screensaver, the source remains as "loading" where no options are given to select anything. It used to work until a few months ago, but I have no clue why it stopped or how I can get it to work again. When the slideshow screensaver is selected I get an error message telling me there was an error connecting to a netwerk server. No clue why it actually needs that server (which died some time ago). If i shutdown systempreferences while the slideshow is still selected, each time it tries to start the screensaver I get the same warning that there is a problem connecting to a (dead) airport extreme.

I have tried to reinstall Mountain Lion, rebuild a new Aperture image library, remove certain .plist files that may be connected to this as was suggested in several fora, nothing works. I cannot imagine that Apple forces me to abandon Mountain Lion and to go back to Snowleopard over a screensaver.

A hint to third party developers: please create a simple slideshow screensaver where you can select a folder including subfolders. It can't be that hard to create (although Apple fails completely).

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4), Aperture 3.4.1

Posted on Sep 8, 2013 7:42 AM

23 replies

freudsigmund Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 9, 2013 12:39 PM in response to Linc Davis

first I walked through step one. I had to enter my password three times actually and it took a little over two hours to do the task. It ended in nothing more than the line that is also quoted when starting in Terminal.

sigmund-imac:~ USER$

since step 1 didn't have any effect on the problem (slideshow screensaver works only with a single directory (not being able to select an Aperture or iPhoto library) until either iPhoto or Aperture is started, then it crashes again), I walked through step 2 also. The result after step 2 was identical to step 1... no change at all.

Have you got any more options as to why Aperture and iPhoto change some settings causing the screensaver to crash and why neither Aperture and iPhoto libraries can be selected as source?

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Sep 9, 2013 12:55 PM in response to freudsigmund

Move your photo library aside and create a new, simple one as you did in the Guest account. Test.

freudsigmund Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 9, 2013 1:17 PM in response to Linc Davis

This seem to have solved the problem.

Would it jeopardize to import the images from the old libraries? I had done that already in the Aperture library (creating a new library and importing the images from the old library) prior to posting the question here. But that didn't help obviously. I really wouldn't likt to be handling the 80.000 images (55000 aperture and 25000 iphoto) again when it comes to tags faces and other information.

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Sep 9, 2013 2:11 PM in response to freudsigmund

You could try rebuilding the existing library in Aperture or iPhoto. Back up first. If that doesn't work, you're in uncharted territory and I don't know what else to suggest. Maybe your library is too large for the screensaver to handle.

Rebuilding the iPhoto library

freudsigmund Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 9, 2013 2:14 PM in response to Linc Davis

I'll try that rebuilding of the libraries... thanks for all the help and suggestions... the library wasn't a problem for the screensaver to handle over the past few years, so I doubt whether that is the cause. But I know that now it does work... again.

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Sep 9, 2013 3:40 PM in response to freudsigmund

To clarify, you put the original library back, and now the screen saver works?

freudsigmund Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 9, 2013 3:51 PM in response to Linc Davis

No. Like you suggested, I moved the Aperture and iPhoto libraries to another folder, created new libraries in iPhoto and Aperture and filled them with a few photo's and now everything works as it should. Ergo, the trouble must have been caused by errors in these old libraries. Now that I know how to deal with it, if it happens again, I can safely try to import images from the old libraries to the new one and see if that still works or if there is something truly messy with the old libraries. I can only report in a few days whether importing succeeded or failed completely, since importing (and creating thumbnails) of the old Aperture library into a new one takes 2 or 3 full days on this 2,66 GHz IC2 duo iMac. I am curious to see whether all goes to smithereens again, or that creating new libraries and importing not just the Aperture library but only both iPhoto and Aperture libraies is the solution... I'll report when done.

freudsigmund Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 11, 2013 2:53 PM in response to freudsigmund

The true cause has finally come to light...ish

Both the iPhoto and the Aperture libraries were corrupt in such a way that even importing the images from an old library into a new library caused the issues to resurface. The only unanswered question is how come that both libraries get corrupted at the very same moment in the very same way...

but since it has all has solved: who cares.

thanks again for all the help.

"source" locks at "loading" and no image-screensaver can be selected