And my photo's have gone too...

Question

Help!
Seem to have a similar issue to the last post but as a recent convert from PC I'm no mac expert and got lost in the thread. Any simple advice would be really useful...
Using an 08 iMAC 20" / iPhoto 7.1.4
Library was set up and working fine.
Uploading images from the camera (Canon Ixus 330) and the operation timed out.
Got a [restart] message, mac restarted.
iPhoto library is now empty.
Starting up the app displays the [no photos] message
In Finder the picture folder contains the iLibrary, the iChat icons folder and booth.
iLibrary is 3.5GB - approximately the same size as it was when the photos were showing???
There's nothing in the trash or anywhere else I've looked.
Any advice would be really appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
M25

Answer 1

Have you followed TD's suggestions?
Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the apple and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild.
If that fails then you have a damaged database file:
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 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.
In the iPhoto Preferences -> Events Uncheck the box at 'Imported Items from the Finder'
Move the iPhoto Library to the desktop
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.
When you're sure all is well you can delete the iPhoto Library on your desktop.
In the future, in addition to your usual back up routine, you might like to make a copy of the library6.iPhoto file whenever you have made changes to the library as protection against database corruption.
Regards
TD
LN