Help - "Unreadable files:.... The following files could not be imported..."

Question

Tried to add five .jpg photos to an existing iPhoto album and it raised this error:
*Unreadable Files: 5*
*The following files could not be imported (they may be an unrecognized file type or the files may not contain valid data).*
I tried to open them with Photoshop and re-save them, different size - no go.
iPhoto is set up to managed the photos in the library, when I look in the iPhoto library > originals > 2009 > directory, I see the photos there. They open with other apps just fine (preview.app, photoshop, browsers, quick look, etc.)
How do I get these to show up in iPhoto? What did I do wrong? Or, how do I tell what's wrong with these files, as they appear to be just fine.
Thanks for the help!!!

Answer 1

As a Test:
Hold down the option (or alt) key key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Create Library'
Import a few pics into this new, blank library. Is the Problem repeated there?
If the new Library works correctly then it suggests that the other library is damaged:
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