Can't access my photos

Question

I have upgraded to iLife8 and now so many of my photos won't open. You can see the thumbnail but when you click on them it says "can't open because can't find original". Yes I do have backup but do not want to spend hours finding photos that should be in my library!
Also, if I am using a word processing application and want to insert a picture I can not access my iPhoto library through the pictures folder anymore. Why not?

Answer 1

Sheryln:
Welcome to the Apple Discussions. This preference setting constitute a managed library. If the check box is not checked then it's a referenced library with you taking the responsibility of managing the source files. Managed is the default setting.
Do you have a copy of the iPhoto Library or just the photos? If it's the library is it a recent copy, i.e. not new imports since it was made? If you do you can: 1- copy the Library6.iPHoto file from the backup into the working iPhoto Library package. You can open the package by Control-clicking on it like this; 2 - just move the entire backup library into the Pictures folder replacing the one in there. BUT, if you've added any photos since the backup you'll lose them with this method.
You can try to rebuild the library as follows: launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys depressed and follow the instructions to rebuild the library. Select the first three options.
If that doesn't resurrect the library you may be looking at starting over with a new library and importing the Originals folder from the old one. Here's how:
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.
However, this will lose your keywords, comments, albums, slideshows etc. You will retain your events. If you have a lot of effort invested in your keywords and comments you can try following Tutorial #1 before you start the new library procedure.
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 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. 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.