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iPhoto '11 won't open

Why can't iPhoto9.1Update.pkg be installed on my HD to upgrade the library to iPhoto '11?User uploaded file


The application would quit on clicking either "Quit" or "Upgrade" button. I'm following the instructions on installing iPhoto 9.1 before upgrading the library to iPhoto '11. When I try to install iPhoto 9.1 it wasn't allowed.


Hope someone could refer me to a site for a remedy to this problem.

MacBook Pro (13-inch Late 2011), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5), iPhoto '11 would not launch.

Posted on Sep 26, 2013 9:47 PM

Reply
17 replies

Sep 27, 2013 1:37 AM in response to augn1817

What is the iPhoto version you are upgrading from?

And how did you get the iPhoto 9.1 installer?

You cannot install the 9.1. updater, if you already have a current iPhoto version. To be able to run the 9.1 updater, you need to have a previous iPhoto version installed.


If you want to upgrade from iPhoto '09 or earlier to iPhoto '11, it should suffice to run iPhoto '11 and to upgrade the library using iPhoto '11, like your screenshot is showing.


The application would quit on clicking either "Quit" or "Upgrade" button.

Is there an error message or crash log, when that happens?


Can you create a new iPhoto library in your current iPhoto '11? When you launch iPhoto with the ⌥-key held down and select to create a new library?

Sep 27, 2013 5:24 AM in response to léonie

Hi, Leonie, (I'm assuming that it is your firsrt name)


First of all, thanks for your promt respose. I believe I have iPhoto '11 currently installed on my Macbook Pro but I couldn't have that verified as I couldn't open it. I downloaded 9.1 installer for the Apple site and the installation was successful. I cannot do anything to create a new library or to repair any database after launching iPhoto with the alt and command key held down. I was wondering if I shoud trash the iPhoto app and download iPhoto 9 and then upgrade to iPhoto '11. It seems that whatever I do iPhoto would just quit.


By the way I have my Macbook Pro re-installed about two weeks ago.

Sep 27, 2013 5:41 AM in response to augn1817

I believe I have iPhoto '11 currently installed on my Macbook Pro but I couldn't have that verified as I couldn't open it.

Select iPhoto in the Applications folder and look at it in column view. You should see the version number.

User uploaded file

I still don't see, what iPhoto version you bought originally and which version created your current iPhoto library.

Did you buy iPhoto '09 as iLife bundle on CD? Or was iPhoto preinstalled on your Mac and came on system installation media?

If you only own an earlier version of iPhoto (not iPhoto '11), you cannot upgrade to iPhoto '11 without buying it. All upgrade installers for iPhoto '11 on Apple's Support site require an existing iPhoto '11 installation.


Regards

Léonie

Sep 27, 2013 6:13 AM in response to augn1817

Then you are having the most recent version, and no need to upgrade at all, Khin.

What iPhoto version created your current iPhoto library?



I cannot do anything to create a new library or to repair any database after launching iPhoto with the alt and command key held down. I was wondering if I shoud trash the iPhoto app and download iPhoto 9 and then upgrade to iPhoto '11.


Check, if it only happens in your User account or if you are having a system wide trouble.

You can create a new user account from the "System Preferences" Accounts panel or enable the Guest account. Then log off and sign into the other account and try to launch iPhoto from there.


  • If iPhoto is not working even from a different account, delete it from the Applications folder and download it again from the AppStore to reinstall.
  • If iPhoto is working from the other user account, you are probably having preferences settings in your current account that are corrupted. Then post back, please.


-- Léonie

Sep 27, 2013 10:50 PM in response to augn1817

I can open iPhoto as a Guest but I didn't transfer the library over. Now the problem is what to do with the corrupted settings preferences. Awaiting your suggestions.

Good morning, Khin - it looks like our time zones are very for apart!


Your test with the guest account confirmed, that your iPhoto installation is o.k. So the problem is either your current iPhoto Library or some preferences or startup Items in your account.


I cannot do anything to create a new library or to repair any database after launching iPhoto with the alt and command key held down.

What exactly happens, when you try to launch iPhoto with keys held down? DOes it crash or do you get an error message?


To remove preferences and clear caches: Old Toad described it beautifully here:

see: Re: Removing a page in iphoto book.


If you are having trouble to open the hidden User Library:

In MacOS 10.7. or later the User Library is hidden. To find the Preferences Files use the Finder's "Go" menu:


  • Quit iPhoto, if it is running.
  • Click onto you Desktop to bring the Finder forward.
  • In the Finder Menu press "Go" and hold down the "option/alt" key, until your user library appears in the drop-down menu
  • Select "Library" and in the Finder window that opens navigate to the "Preferences" folder; move com.apple.iphoto.plist to the Desktop.
  • Log off and on again, before launching iPhoto again. Otherwise the removal may not help.


-- Léonie

Sep 27, 2013 11:16 PM in response to augn1817

This is the window that opens when I try to launch iPhoto with the keys held down. When I click on the "Choose" button iPhoto would go into the launch pattern with the spinning wheel and then it quits.

And when you click "Create New" or "Other Library"? The same problem?


Tthe question is, if your library is causing this or iPhoto is generally unable to create a new library or open any library in your account.

Oct 2, 2013 7:43 AM in response to augn1817

If you have the original library you can recover - open the bad library with iPhoo and select any new photos, export them as kind - original, quit iPhoto and drag the bad library to the desktop, drag the old library to the pictures folder, launch iphoto and let upt upgrade as needed and then import the photos you just exported


LN

Oct 2, 2013 8:44 AM in response to LarryHN

As I don't have any new photos I just quit iPhoto and dragged the bad library to the desktop, the old library to the pictures folder and I could launch iPhoto. I think it is the same bad folder that opens. Do I have to leave this bad library on the desktop? The iPhoto Library in the Pictures Folder is of size 22.62 GB and Kind - package and when I clicked on it a Terminal window opened. I didn't enter any command in terminal. Maybe I should leave things as they are, now that I can at least open the bad library.


KA

iPhoto '11 won't open

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