8 months of photos lost -- PLEASE help

Question

Last night when I opened up iPhoto, all my photos since 10/30/2006 are gone. I read to try deleting the com.apple.iPhoto.plist file, but this didn't work.
Where could these pictures have gone? And why just this chunk of pics after 10/30/2006?. Please help, as there are a LOT of shots than were taken from Nov 2006 to present.
P.S. I just realized this is being posted in the iPhoto 6 forum. I am using iPhoto 5 though...

Answer 1

rmcfall:
Welcome to the Apple Discussions. No, I don't think you've lost your image files. Look inside the iPhoto Library/Originals folder and you should find them all in subfolders representing the rolls in the library.
Since the rebuild didn't restore the library you'll have to create a new library and import the original files from the old one as follows:
Creating a new library while preserving the rolls from the original.
Move the existing library folder to the desktop.
Launch iPhoto and, when asked, select the option to create a new library.
Drag the Originals folder from the iPhoto Library on the desktop into the open iPhoto window.
This will create a new library with the same rolls as the original library. However dates on the rolls may be different but can be edited as you would the roll title.
Once this is completed you can delete the Originals folder from the desktop and the iPhoto Llibrary folder. If desired, you can keep the older library folder to try other fixes on it.
In the future I recommend you make a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto file after each import and after doing a lot of editing and organizing in the library. Then if you experience a similar crash all you need to do is replace the damaged database file with the backup copy and you'll be back to the same place in the library as when you make the backup. See the tip at the end of my signature.
Do you Twango?
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
I've written an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.