Black exclamation mark

I am being driven to distraction. I am running iPhoto 08. While I can see all my older photos as thumbnails, when I try to open them, or when I try to do anything with them, the photo disappears and is replaced by a blurry, white circle on a black background with a large black exclamation mark in the middle.
I also run Photoshop CS3 and Bridge CS3, but this happens whether or not I am running these Adobe products.
What the )(&^&& is going on?

Nikapika:
That "!" means that iPhoto has lost the path to the original files and the library's dB file, Library6.iPhoto, has been damaged. If rebuilding the library as suggested in the link that Larry supplied doesn't work, you'll have to start over with a new library and import the Originals folder from the old library as follows;
Creating a new library while preserving the Events from the original library.
Move the existing library folder to the desktop.
Open the library package like this.
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 Events as the original library if you have the Finder checkbox unchecked in the Events preference pane.
If you decide to start over as described you might try following Tutorial #1 first in an attempt to keep the keywords, comments and titles of those photos still visible in the library.
Happy Holidays
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 created 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. It's compatible with iPhoto 08 libraries and Leopard. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

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Since the rebuild fix didn't solve the problem give this a go:
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Note: your current library will be left untouched for further attempts at a fix if so desired.
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Not sure what you meant by "missing till" but all of the photos and movies are there. I concluded that searching for several photos by their file name and then opening them with Preview.
I'm pretty certain that I only used the Picasa desktop app to test using the Picasa web service for some family photos. I don't think I used it to edit any photos in the iPhoto library but I suppose it's possible that I did without really thinking about it.
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Thanks!

Why do I get a black exclamation mark blocking a photo when I click on a thumbnail in iPhoto?

Why am I getting a triangle with a black exclamation mark when I click on theumbnails in iPhoto?

That's an indication that the file path/link between the thumbnail and master/original file has been broken. Try the following to fix the links:
1 - launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys held down to open the First Aid window. Be sure to follow the circled recommendation in the screenshot.
2 - run Option #4, Rebuild Database.
What system and iPhoto versions are you using?

How can I open photos I keep getting a black exclamation mark, how can I open photos I keep getting a black exclamation mark

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Then try the next one:
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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.

Thumbnail pictures cannot be opened, black exclamation mark appears

Numerous photos cannot be opened any more, when I click on the little previews I see only a black surface with an exclamation mark. How can I fix this problem ?

The ! turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.
What version of iPhoto? Assuming 09 or later...
Option 1
Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Repair Database. If that doesn't help, then try again, this time using Rebuild Database.
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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.
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Hi
I go to my events - get up a section of photos and they all look fine in the 'event'. But if I want to edit them the exclamation mark comes up. And if I want to use them to illustrate my blog etc. they will not allow me to select these specific photos - when I click on them they will not highlight.
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The exclamation mark is an indication that the file path/link to the original file has been broken. Make a temporary, backup copy (select the library and type Command+D) and apply the two fixes below in order as needed:
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Launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys held down and rebuild the library.
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Download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
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Click on the Create button.
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OT

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Hi all folks,
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The ! turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.
Option 1
Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Rebuild iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup.
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cruz2
Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
The size of the exclamation mark doesn't matter, it means the same thing.
The ! or ? turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.
The most common cause of this is User Activity in the iPhoto Library Folder in the Finder.
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If that fails try Download BatchMod from
http://macchampion.com/arbysoft/
And apply it to the iPhoto Library Folder using the settings found here:
http://homepage.mac.com/toad.hall/.Pictures/Forum/BatChmod.png
(Credit to Old Toad for this one).
Regards
TD

When I click to open a photo it opens a black screen with a grey triangle, exclamation mark in the middle. How do I fix this problem?

When I click to open a photo it opens a black screen with a grey triangle, exclamation mark in the middle. How do I fix this problem?

Make a temporary, backup copy of your library if you don't already have one (Control-click on the library and select Duplicate from the contextual menu) and apply the two fixes below in order as needed:
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Select the options identified in the screenshot.
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Download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
Click on the Add Library button, navigate to your Home/Pictures folder and select your iPhoto Library folder.
Now that the library is listed in the left hand pane of iPLM, click on your library and go to the File ➙ Rebuild Library menu option
In the next window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed.
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 but not books, calendars or slideshows. The original library will be left untouched for further attempts at fixing the problem or in case the rebuilt library is not satisfactory.
OT

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I'm using iPhoto 09. I can view photos as thumbnails in all Events. But when I click on them I get a black screen with a grey circle and an exclamation mark. This only happens on some events, not all. Whats happened?

The ! turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.
Option 1
Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Rebuild iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup.
If that fails:
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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. .
Regards
TD

Black screen with exclamation mark .

Using iphoto 11 ver 9.2.1.
When I click on a photo to open the file I get a black screen with an exclamation mark.
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Thanks for your reply. I triedrunning Library Manager again and it worked this time.
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I've been using Iphoto as a primary download program for years. As of today, when I click a thumbnail to open the photo, I get a black screen with an exclamation mark on some shots. Also, these shots can't be dragged into Adobe Bridge. Would love help!

I use Iphoto as my primary download tool, then drag images into Adobe Bridge. Just today, when I tried to open a photo by clicking a thumbnail, all I got was an image of an exclamation mark and I couldn't drag the shot either. These are images I've successfully opened and dragged before. I would love guidance from anyone who knows a fix for this. Thanks! John

The ! turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.
What version of iPhoto?
As Larry says, your workflow doesn't make a whole lot of sense. If you're using iPhoto only for downloading then you're best off using Image Capture (in your Applications Folder) and just keep the whole database element out if it. If you're using iPhoto also to organise, then what are you using Bridge for? Anything you do in Bridge - or Photoshop - is unavailable in iPhoto if you work this way.
Regards
TD

Pictures turn to black and white exclamation marks when i click on them!

Could someone please help me! My iphoto randomly deleted all of my photos from it's library, and i have spent ages re-importing them. now when i click on a picture to view it in large it changes to a large, blurry exclamation mark within a second! What is going on?!

Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
The ! or ? turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.
My guess is that what has happened here is that your database has been damaged and the re-importing effort hasn’t worked because you’ve been importing to the same damaged DB.
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.
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

I cannot see my photos in iphoto when I open it...it just shows the albums/titles but only an exclamation mark when I click on the picture. How can I fix this please?

I have downloaded some photos and all I see now is a black sqaure with an exclamation mark in it. If I double click and make them full screen I can see them, but not as thumbnails. Please help :-( In the EVENTS, they are just black sqaures.

The ! turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.
Option 1
Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Repair Database. If that doesn't help, then try again, this time using Rebuild Database.
If that fails:
Option 2
Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. (In Library Manager it's the FIle -> Rebuild command)
This will create an entirely new library. It will then copy (or try to) your photos and all the associated metadata and versions to this new Library, and arrange it as close as it can to what you had in the damaged Library. It does this based on information it finds in the iPhoto sharing mechanism - but that means that things not shared won't be there, so no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your events, albums and keywords, faces and places 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.
Regards
TD

Black exclamation mark

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