iPhoto keeps duplicating the same picture until my hard drive runs out of space

I made almost as Old Toad advised, I'd copied last com.apple.iPhoto directory to desktop and removed that from original directory. After that iPhoto doesn't opened anymore. It gave error message It can't write to iPhoto library_SSD and ask's check if I've writing permission to library.

So I restated the computer and opened iPhoto. It opened normally and started immediately create duplicates of same picture to same directory as earlier. In less than a half of minute it had created already 20 similar 4,5 Mt files.

Check the Console for messages while those files are being recreated in that folder. It may tell us which process is doing it.

Otherwise you can try booting into the Recovery volume (boot with the Command + R keys held down) and reinstall the system.

The Console didn't show any log information done by iPhoto when files was created or when I started iPhoto once again (and made again new files).

I'm a new user of mac so reinstall the system is little bigger case for me and needs some more investigation before I'll start that.

It might not be iPhoto that is duplicating those files. It could be coming from some other process. As a test try the following:

1 - add the Console and Activity Monitor applications to the Login Items for you account so they both will open when you start.

2 - create an alias of the com.apple.iPhoto folder and put it on the Desktop.

3 - again move that folder to the Desktop and reboot.

4 - open the alias for the com.apple.iPhoto folder and to view the files being created.

5 - check the Console messages as the photos are recreated in that folder. Go to the All messages section.

6 - check Activity Monitor under CPU to see what process is the most active. You can try stopping it to see if the creation of those files stops.

Old Toad, thank you for your help. I made as you described. The Console didn't show anything during this. The Activity Monitor shows iPhoto using 45-55% of CPU time. iPhoto created again less than two minutes 185 pictures and 831 Mt in to same folder com.apple.iPhoto.

After this test I removed original foto withs is always been duplicated from its directory and also from iPhoto. Next start of iPhoto didn't change anything - it starter duplicate again same picture even it wasn't anymore in the folder or iPhoto.

Is it possible to remove and reinstall iPhoto some way if there is some bug in program?

Yes, iPhoto can be reinstalled but I doubt it's a problem with the application. It won't hurt to do so and either rule it out or in. What system and iPhoto versions are you running?

OS X 10.9.4

iPhoto 9.5.1. (902.17)

Hold down the Command(⌘) key and drag the iPhoto application to the Trash bin on the Dock. Don't empty it yet. Log into the App Store and go to Purchases, find iPhoto 9.5.1 and download it again.

Didn't help. Same problem exist.

OldToad:

would this be worth a try:

empty trashbin.

delete the following:

/private/var/db/Bootcaches/l-o-n-g-n-u-m-b-e-r/app.com.apple.iPhoto.playlist

/private/var/db/Bootcaches/o-t-h-e-r-l-o-n-g-n-u-m-b-e-r/app.com.apple.iPhoto.pl aylist

do not empty the trashbin now

restart

Lex

the last should be "playlist" not "pl aylist" ofcourse

I tried but didn't help. Still starts immediately create files.

Then this crap script sit somewhere else.

Are you willing to run an etrechecklist?

Now I need more advise. What is the etrechecklist and what it will effect?

It is a list of hard and software on your mac, that answers a lot of questions about your system that otherwise would be asked. It is made by one of the most respected members on this forum to help him and others to quickly understand more about the mac in question. It is not a pinpoint for diagnosis. It will not reveal personal data. You download it from the site of the programmer/helper: www.etresoft.com/etrecheck

You download it, run it, a LIST is displayed, at the bottom of the list is a button "copy to clipboard", paste then into a post here. You can check this list before you post it, but do not change it.

Lex