Software update lost photos in iPhoto library

I have read many threads but still have yet to find the golden answer.
No, my time machine was NOT working so no back-up.
I have spent 2 days recovering some from Stellar Phoenix.
Is there anything left to do? Are my photos from the last 3 years gone, gone, gone?
Don't understand why after the disasterous update, the iPhoto Library reverted back to several years ago to albums, photos that I had deleted many years ago  but precious recent family photos have disappeared!
If anyone has found THE ANSWER to this horrible Apple disaster, I would love your input and direction.
Thank you!
susan

library is located on desktop/applications
No, that should be the iPhoto application, not the iPhoto Library.  By default the library should be located in your Pictures folder.
Once you locate the library apply the fixe below:
Using iPhoto Library Manager  to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
1 - download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
2 - click on the Add Library button and select the library you want to add in the selection window..
3 - Now that the library is listed in the left hand pane of iPLM, click on your library and go to the Library ➙ Rebuild Library menu option.
4 - In the next  window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed.
5 - Click on the Create button.
Note: This creates a new library based on the LIbraryData.xml file in the library and will recover Events, Albums, keywords, titles and comments.  However, books, calendars, cards and slideshows will be lost. The original library will be left untouched for further attempts at fixing the problem or in case the rebuilt library is not satisfactory.

Similar Messages

  • Lost photos after iPhoto library rebuild - what happened?

    After noticing that there were albums entitled Recovered photos in my iPhoto library, I deleted those albums. As expected, i got a message that i was not really deleting the originals, just getting rid of such albums. There were about 5 of those "recovered albums": one contained about 30 photos; three had zero and another had over 1000 photos. Subsequent to that, thinking of making this library totally clean, I decided to do a "libraty rebuild" using the option-command rebuild procedure of iphoto. I checked all the options presented for that procedure. To my surprise, when the process was finished I had less events, and less photos. A careful visual check of the display pane of events and photos confirmed that i had lost actual photos. I tried to reclaim those lost photos with another rebuild -- this time using iphoto library manager, but without success. What happened? Is there any way to reclaim those lost photos?
    I do have a backup, but would prefer to correct the problem in the original library to avoid having to assemble and clean up duplicates that i had before.
    I'm using the newest version of iPhoto: 8.1 and OS X 10.5.8 on a MacBook 2.4 Ghz - 2Gb Ram - 250 GB HD, 42 GB available. My iPhoto library has over 12000 photos

    Why these things happen is always difficult to answer. My experience with iPhoto is using it since v1 on with a single library that's upgraded each new versions and migrated from G4 iMac to G5 iMac to Intel iMac and then a second Intel iMac. I load photos in, my wife does and my 12 year old does too.
    And never had a problem.
    The database gets corrupted when the app is interrupted when writing to it. The usual causes of this include a crash, a force quit or a lost connection to the Library on an external disk. More rarely minor disk or directory damage might be a cause.
    I wondered when I read your report
    Subsequent to that, thinking of making this library totally clean, I decided to do a "libraty rebuild" using the option-command rebuild procedure of iphoto. I checked all the options presented for that procedure.
    The options presented for that procedure include various items that require the app to read the database file plus this one
    Rebuild iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup.
    +I Wonder+ - I stress, I wonder, no more - if reading to rebuild various thumbnails from a file that is being vacuumed +while at the same time+ is being replaced by a backup is what caused the issue.
    If it is, then the Rebuild from Back Up option should be sandboxed and not possible while the other events are going on.
    But that's just a guess.
    Regards
    TD

  • Lost photos from iphoto library

    I backed up my iphoto library from my old macbook to an external hard drive and now imported it to my new imac. When I open iphoto all thumbnails show up, but when I click on a photo a black picture with an exclamation mark shows up. Some photos open fine, most won't.
    I tried rebuilding iphoto with iphoto's own rebuild and with iphoto library manager, both with same results: only 2000 of my 9000 photos showed up!
    I did have a problem when first time trying to move files from the external hard drive - Lacie 1tb usb- once it was unplugged without first being ejected, and also it made my computer crash few times and I had to reboot the imac. I suspect this had something to do with the lost photos.
    Is there a way to get these photos back?

    Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
    The photos should still be in the library package file.
    You may need to start over with a new Library:
    Try these in order - from best option on down...
    1. Do you have an up-to-date back up? If so, try copy the library6.iphoto file from the back up to the iPhoto Library (Right Click -> Show Package Contents) allowing it to overwrite the damaged file.
    2. Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. This will create a new library based on data in the albumdata.xml file. Not everything will be brought over - no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your albums and keywords back.
    Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one.
    3. If neither of these work then you'll need to create and populate a new library.
    To create and populate a new *iPhoto 08* library:
    Note this will give you a working library with the same Events and pictures as before, however, you will lose your albums, keywords, modified versions, books, calendars etc.
    Move the iPhoto Library to the desktop
    In the iPhoto Preferences -> Events Uncheck the box at 'Imported Items from the Finder'
    Launch iPhoto. It will ask if you wish to create a new Library. Say Yes.
    Go into the iPhoto Library (Right Click -> Show Package Contents) on your desktop and find the Originals folder. From the Originals folder drag the individual Event Folders to the iPhoto Window and it will recreate them in the new library.
    Regards
    TD
    When you're sure all is well you can delete the iPhoto Library on your desktop.

  • Lost photos from iphoto library after moving it

    Comments:
    I have a G5 OS X Version 10.5.5.. I had a lot of photos in my iPhoto library and I was told I could move iPhoto application to my external HD by holding down the command key and then drag iPhoto over to the external HD. Which I did. I opened the external HD and all the photos where there in the iPhoto Library. I had to shut down my computer as I was away for a few days and when I turned it back on and went into the external HD the iPhoto application was not there nor the photos. My Time Machine has no record of them as iPhoto only seems to have a record of a new iPhoto Library on my desk. Can I retrieve these photos? Can you run iPhoto from your external HD? Thanks for your help. Regards Amanda

    Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
    I was told I could move iPhoto application to my external HD by holding down the command key and then drag iPhoto over to the external HD.
    The problem with moving while dragging is that you defeat the default behaviour of the OS. If you simply drag then your Mac makes a copy of the library on the new volume and you have the opportunity to test it thoroughly before trashing the library on your start up disk.
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    3. Hold down the option (or alt) key while launching iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library' and navigate to the new location. From that point on this will be the default location of your library.
    4. Test the library and when you're sure all is well, trash the one on your internal HD to free up space.
    Next, moving your Library - which normally lives in your Pictures Folder - and moving the iPhoto application are not the same thing. You should not move the application.
    Start by doing an All Images Search:
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    -f
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    Size: Greater than 300k
    see if that finds anything.
    Regards
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  • Lost photos in iPhoto library

    My Mac OS X 10.4.11 is owned by my sister.  After the home icon, it always said her name.  Today, I changed the the of the folder to Home.  After I did that, all the photos I had put into the Iphoto library are GONE!  How do I get them back and where are they??  If I try to change the name of home back to my sister's name, it says that name is already in use.  HELP!

    First, try changing the name back again. Then:
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    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1428
    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3872

  • Lost photos in iphoto library...help

    I have no idea what happened but when I open my iphoto application, all of my photos/albums/projects have disappeared. When I look at ALL Documents, my photos are there.
    Any ideas about how to get them back into my iphoto library?
    There is some iPhotoLock.data that says it's an Unreadable File.
    HELP

    Trouble brother big bro
    Welcome to the Apple user discussion forums
    If the iPhoto rebuild did not fix it download iPhoto Library Manager - http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/ - and use its rebuild function
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  • Please help!! Ive suddenly lost my entire iPhoto library..says it doesn't exist although I can see the photos all in grey-but also the menu is in grey, can't do anything

    Please can anyone help! Ive suddenly lost my entire iPhoto library while I wss cleaning up…sometimes I can find them, they're there but all in grey and so is the menu for iPhoto…so I can't open or do anything…

    There are 9 different versions of iPhoto and they run on 9 different versions of the Operating System. The tricks and tips for dealing with issues vary depending on the version of iPhoto and the version of the OS. So to get help you need to give as much information as you can. Include things like:
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    - What version of the Operating System.
    - Details. As full a description of the problem as you can. For example, if you have a problem with exporting, then explain by describing how you are trying to export, and so on.
    - History: Is this going on long? Has anything been installed or deleted? - Are there error messages?
    - What steps have you tried already to solve the issue.
    - Anything unusual about your set up? Or how you use iPhoto?
    Anything else you can think of that might help someone understand the problem you have.

  • I have lost my entire IPhoto Library and albums

    IMac OS X  V 10.6.8
    I have lost my entire IPhoto Library and albums. 
    How do I restore?

    Your only other option is to stop using your Mac as soon as possible to minimize precious data being overwritten to, purchase a high quality, fast external hard drive, preferably a FIreWire external hard drive such as these
    http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/1394/USB/EliteAL/eSATA_FW800_FW400_USB
    using an OS X Snow Leopard install disc, format this external drive as a Mac OS extended (journaled) formatted hard drive with a GUID partition scheme and then, using a install disc of OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, install a fresh copy of OS X Snow Leopard and boot your Mac to that external hard drive by using the Startup Disc icon in the OS X System Preferences Panel to boot your Mac to the external hard drive. Once your Mac is booted and running from this hard drive,  then use the OS X Software Update feature to update that version of OS X Snow Leopard to OS X 10.6.8.
    Then, you need to do a web search for a Data recovery software such as Prosoft Engineering's Data Rescue and purchase, download, install and use this software to perform data recovery of your iMac's internal hard drive following the proper instructions on how to use the software. to recover the data.
    Be advised that any images you recover will no longer be in a format that IPhoto will read and most like will just be a folder with just the images alone without any more linkage to the IPhoto library, but I am not completely sure about this as I always have redundant backups of my entire system.
    If this seems all too complicated and complex to you, you need to stop using your Mac ASAP and either contact an Apple Store or Apple Authorised reseller/service/repair center to find out how much it will cost for them to recover your data and bring your Mac in for a more professional data recovery.
    I still strongly advise you purchase a high quality, large storage, fast, external hard drive to use for future data backups to prevent such a catastrophic data loss from happening, again.
    Every  computer user SHOULD have, at least, one external backup drive and having redundant backup drives is even better.

  • Lost my complete iphoto library!!

    Hi,
    I have lost my complete iphoto library. I have just upgraded to OS X 10.8.2 from 10.5 and I did not back up previous to losing it. Is there anything tha I can do to retrieve it?

    There are no guarantees.
    You download the app and it will scan the disk for recoverable files. It will tell you what it thinks it can recover. Only then do you purchase, if you think it's worthwhile.
    Given that the OS was upgraded from 10.5 to 10.8 there was a lot of writing to the disk in the process and the chancs of your deleted photos been overwritten is high.
    Regards
    TD

  • How do I recover lost photos in iPhoto?

    How do I recover lost photos in iPhoto? Instead of photos I have dotted borders or, in a few cases white boxes.

    You could try rebuilding the database ...
    Launch iPhoto while holding down the Command + Option keys.
    The Photo Library First Aid window should open.
    Select:  Repair Database
    Click:  Repair
    If that doesn't help, open the Finder. From the Finder menu bar click Go > Go to Folder
    Type or copy paste the following:
    ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.iPhoto.plist
    Click Go then move the com.apple.iPhoto.plist file to the Trash.
    Quit and relaunch iPhoto.
    If that doesn't help, copy paste the following:
    ~/Library/Caches/com.apple.iPhoto/Cache.db
    Click Go then move the Cache.db file to the Trash.
    Quit and relaunch iPhoto.
    If you do not currently have a wawy to backup your iPhoto library, you need to do that so that you can recover your photos in the event of a hard drive problem.
    Help here >  Mac Basics: Time Machine
    message edited by:  cs

  • How do I delete photos in Iphoto library that have not been imported?

    How do I delete photos in Iphoto library that have not been imported?

    How did they get there and how do you know that they are there?
    If they were not imported and iPhoto is not aware of them then you can be sure your current backup is up to date and tested, quit iPhoto and drag them to the finder trash - But be very careful because if you trash any items that iPhoto knows about you will corrupt your library
    Before you empty the trash, launch iPhoto again and be sure everything is working correctly
    It is recommended that you never modify the iPhoto library using anything except iPhoto or iPhoto aware programs like iPhoto Library Manager including adding, modifying or deleting items, files or folders within the iPhoto library
    Your current case may be one of the very unusual exceptions to this - if they were put there without iPhoto's knowledge
    LN
    Message was edited by: LarryHN

  • I'm running iPhoto '08 version 7.1.5. My collection of 25,000  photos on iPhoto library is completely empty. How can I get them back?

    I'm running iPhoto '08 version 7.1.5. My collection of 25,000  photos on iPhoto library is completely empty. How can I get them back?
    I dragged one photo to the My Pictures folder in Finder. I knew it was just one photo because it was the only one highlighted in yellow. When I saw it in Finder, it was labled iPhoto. I thought it was the wrong picture, so in Finder I deleted the file. When I got back to iPhoto, EVERYTHING was missing. Events, photos, recent, and even trash. At this point, I went into my Trash. I searched for iPhoto and iPhoto was there. I opened it and it was still empty. All I want to do is to get my collection of photos back!

    Best solution is to load your backup from before you did this?
    Where did you drag the photo from?
    Have you tried dragging it from the trash to the desktop?  What size is it?
    What size is your iPhoto library in the pictures folder?
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  • How to import photos from iPhoto Library to Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 Editor?

    I can't use Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 Editor to edit photos from iPhoto Library. If I choose File, Open, and then select 'iPhoto Library', error message is "could not complete your request because of a program error."

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