Can't edit imported files; iPhoto asks for file import upon each launch

Question

Hi,
My hard drive recently went bad and I lost all photos (didn't back up...I've learned my lesson). An authorized repair shop replaced the drive and installed 10.5.2.
I just tried to import 150 new photos from my camera. After importing from the camera, iPhoto said all files were imported successfully. I was trying to create room on my memory card, so when asked if I wanted to delete the originals, I said yes. (I was planning on backing up the photos just as soon as I got them onto my drive).
I see them as thumbnails, etc., but I get the grey/black exclamation graphic if I try to edit. Fullscreen gets me a black screen, that's it. Each time I launch iPhoto, it says that it detects 150 pictures not imported. Would I like to import? I choose yes, but the same problem persists.
When I view each thumbnail, the reported sizes average about 2 mb, so it seems that the real photos are somewhere. I just don't know where. As a last resort, I guess I could try to do screen captures of the thumbnails, but that'll take forever, and I really want these originals back.
Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

ObamaFanRC
Are you running a Managed Library or a Referenced Library?
If you're running a Managed library, then it's the default setting, and iPhoto copies files into the iPhoto Library when Importing
If you're running a Referenced Library, then you made a change at iPhoto -> Preferences -> Advanced and iPhoto is NOT copying the files into the iPhoto Library when importing.
If you're running a managed library is sounds very like a damaged database file to me.
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 back.
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