Blank Thumbnails in Library

In the Library in iPhoto I have many blank thumbnails. It is not possible to select one of these blanks and then see it, the spinning wheel turns grey, it all runs very slow and I then force quit the application. It is possible to select the blanks and then delete them. However, any operation with them takes forever. I have tried to rebuild the library using the hold-down of the apple and option kexs when launching iPhoto but the problem is still there.
Can any body please suggest what to do? Are the blanks actual photos, or just a 'ghost' in the machine?

Paul,
If your database is corrupted, then you do lose the albums, keywords, and other iPhoto metadata. You said you tried the option-command-launch rebuild, but that was before manually deleting those zero kb jpeg files. You could try the auto rebuild again, but I'd guess the chances of it helping are slim.
One final thing to try before starting a new library is to download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. It uses a different file to restore the library than the iPhoto rebuild, and can sometimes restore a library when iPhoto cannot. It's another slim chance, but may be worth the effort if it goes well. If it fails, it won't make anything worse. Plus, the iPLM Help gives good descriptions of how iPhoto works and may shed light on what happened to your library. I learned a lot just by reading their information.
And no, I can't explain the thousands of zero kb jpeg files in your library. Had you copied the library folder over to another drive and back? Did your hard drive get low on disk space? Prior to this trouble, had you ever used the Finder to change or delete the files inside your iPhoto Library folder? You could see if your hard disc needs repairs with Disk Utility. If it comes up with a long list of errors that would be a clue. You would be wise to repair the disk (in that case) before trying to repair your iPhoto library.
Regards.

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carlaz:
If you rebuild does not work you might try moving the contents of the Data folder to the trash and the rebuild again with the first three options. That will force creation of new thumbnail files. Another way that will work when the normal rebuild does not is to use iPhoto LIbrary Manager as follows:
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Download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
Click on the Add Library button, navigate to your User/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
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Click on the Create button.
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Do you Twango?
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IPhoto Library-only blank thumbnails??

Hopefully there is an easy solution to my problem. I wanted to create another (additional) Library. In the Help section, it told me to RENAME my current iPhoto library in the finder. I opened Pictures and renamed the folder.
Obviously that was my mistake, resulting in the "missing Library Images" When I now open iPhoto I get only blank thumbnails with titles.
Hope someone can guide me. Have approx 3500 images I would not want to lose.

When you launch iPhoto the library you last used will open. To switch, Option-launch and choose the other library. Same thing to switch back. There's no way to specify one or the other as the default, but you could remember to choose your preferred library when you finish working, so that it will open the next time you launch.
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Blank thumbnails in Iphoto mobileme gallery after snow leopard upgrade

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Greetings,
Do the original images show up in the Photos and/or Events section of iPhoto or do they also give you an exclamation point?
Do you have a backup of your important data like Time Machine?
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Ensure all your software is up to date (Apple Menu > Software Update).
Remove the following to the trash and restart the computer and try again:
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Home > Library > Preferences > com.apple.iPhoto (There may be more than one. Remove them all.)

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After installing iPhoto 6, I now have literally at least 100 photos that are blank.
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m. I am sure this is because I deleted the pictures through the hard drive and not iphoto.
So the missing pics correspond exactly to the ones that you trashed via the Finder?
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Regards
TD

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Hi,
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Hi again,
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Download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
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In the next window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed.
Click on the Create button.
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Using iTunes will all current updates. same for the iPhone.
iPhoto shows the contents of the iPhone as blank thumbnails but does show the image numbers. What I've tried;
1. restart iPhone, restart iPhoto.
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3. Rebuilt the iPhoto library.
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I don't know how to look at the iPhone to see what's there. I don't know if it's even possible. This iPhone is not jailbroken.
Ideas?

Hello Suzie,
If I'm understanding correctly from your description these are images that are on the iPhone and being offered as import options (Which is what you see when you plug in an iPhone with iPhoto open because iPhoto considers the iPhone a camera).
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1.) Hold down the option key and launch iPhoto
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If you take a new picture with the iPhone do you still get a blank thumbnail?
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Blank thumbnail photos on ipad

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Ah, maybe you were referring to the original suggestion of closing apps. Here was what I found worked:
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DdunnLytle

Hi,
Personally, I would never delete the originals, certainly not without have a backup of them. As I learn more of how to use Photoshop, I have often gone back to an original photo and processed it again to finish with better images. That is all down to your personal prefference though.
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Blank Thumbnails in Library

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