Hung the iPhoto library rebuild

Intermittently, iPhoto synchronizes all my events to my iPhone 4 or iPad 2 in random order. The events are not in alphabetical order (like I have the on the computer), or apparently even time-ordered, expect that the most recently created event does seem to appear at the very bottom of the list. This makes finding the events I want on the phone/pad agonizing, since there are many events and many thousands of photos. To make matters worse, when I plug the device into the computer, and look at the synchronization details in iTunes, the list of events appears random there too. Albums and Faces are always in order. I've deleted all photos from the device, then re-synced. That seemed to help once and failed about 9 times. Occasionally the problem seems to fix itself for a while. Right now it's fine on my iPhone and messed up on my iPad. Suspecting library corruption, I tried to rebuild the iPhoto Library after making a backup. It gets to 98% then hangs forever when I ask for the first option (rebuild) with or without other options selected. If I ask for the rebuild from automated backups option, it gets to "Rebuilding Library: 14625 Versions restored" then hangs forever. If I only ask it to rebuild thumbnails (either of the 2 options) it has no trouble.
I'm stumped. Anyone have experience with this issue???
--Scott

I've got the same problem with iPhoto. Hangs at 69% when rebuild; hangs at a large number of items when rebuilding from backup. If I try to rebuild from backup, wait for the hang, and then force quit, the library is corrupted and iPhoto opens up with nothing. I have to use Time Machine to rebuild.

Similar Messages

How do I get photos from the iPhoto import folder to the iPhoto library? It uploaded, but hung while deleting from my camera, so no imported photos are in the iPhoto library.

How do I get photos from the iPhoto import folder to the iPhoto library? It uploaded, but hung while deleting from my camera, so no imported photos are in the iPhoto library. I watched it upload about 400 photos, one by one. They're somewhere, but they don't appear in the iPhoto library. As iPhoto was deleting them from my camera, it got hung up, then a message came "you should eject before disconnecting a device." I hadn't touched the camera. The message came by itself. I couldn't get iPhoto to respond, so I disconnected the camera and did a Force Quit. Opening it back up, the pictures were gone. Can somebody help me?

What version of iPhoto are you running? Assuming it's iPhoto 9 or later Apply the two fixes below in order as needed:
Fix #1
1 - launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys held down and rebuild the library.
2 - run Option #4 to rebuild the database.
Fix #2
Using iPhoto Library Manager to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
1 - download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
2 - click on the Add Library button and select the library you want to add in the selection window..
3 - Now that the library is listed in the left hand pane of iPLM, click on your library and go to the Library ➙ Rebuild Library menu option.
4 - In the next window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed.
5 - 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

I have iphoto 6 and my pictures are no longer showing. I have tried importing them but it just give me an error msg. (file format not recognized) I have tried rebuilding the iphoto library but that doesn't work either. Any suggestions?

I have iphoto 6 and my pictures are no longer showing. I have tried importing them but it just give me an error msg. (file format not recognized) I have tried rebuilding the iphoto library but that doesn't work either. Any suggestions?

How did you rebuild?
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 allowing it to overwrite the damaged file.
2. Download <a href="http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/"><b><u>iPhoto Library Manager</b></u></a> 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 6* library:
Note this will give you a working library with the same Rolls and pictures as before, however, you will lose your albums, keywords, modified versions, books, calendars etc.
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 on your desktop and find the Originals folder. From the Originals folder drag the individual Roll 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.

Trouble with rebuilding the iPhoto library

Hi, I'd need help for a problem I have found on my dad's Imac. It's a late 2009, 21.5" with Core 2 Duo and 8 GB ram running Snow Leopard and the preinstalled iPhoto (I'm not sure about the version)
He told me about some issues with photos in his library, so I thought that maybe rebuilding the iPhoto library would fix them. Unfortunately I can't access the "rebuild" dialog and holding down Command and Option keys when opening iPhoto does nothing.
I've been trying with the iPhoto icon in Applications folder, not through the dock, keeping them pressed before doubleclicking, pressing them at the same time, pressing also shift or control or both... I've tried all combinations without any luck, as iPhoto starts normally without showing the dialog.
What could be the problem? Any solution?
Thanks!

Yep! I know it doens't make any sense... I've tried repairing permissions and checking the file system, I've also deleted the content of "caches" folder but without any luck.
I've moved the library to the desktop and started iPhoto, created a new library and then tried with that one. It doesn't work.

Rebuilding the iPhoto Library

I messed up the iPhoto Library!
What i did was that i wanted to use Automator to COPY all of the original photo files to a new hard drive for backup, but i MOVED them instead. So now I have one big folder of originals and an iPhoto library empty of originals.
Question:
1.Can i use the rebuild iphoto library thing?
2.Where do my originals need to be for iPhoto to find them again?
3. Any other way or program?
Thanks!

You need to put the original files back into the proper film roll folders. I think it will need to be done manually. You can look at which roll the thumbnails with the same file names are located and then move the originals into the same rolls in the Originals folder.
Inside your library folder (named "iPhoto Library" unless you changed it), you will see two folders you are interested in. The one named "Data" contains the thumbnail files. The one named "Originals" contains the original image files. They have the exact same structure except "Data" only has thumbnail versions of your photos.
Use the Data folder and its thumbnails to see where your original images should go in the "Originals" folder.
Rebuilding the library will not help, in fact if you try a rebuild before putting those files back it may mess things up.

My iPhoto closed unexpectedly and now it says "Rebuilding the iPhoto Library database". What is going on and are my photos still going to be there?

My iPhoto closed unexpectedly and now it says "Rebuilding the iPhoto Library database". What is going on and are my photos still going to be there?

With the amount of information you've provided it's impossible to offer a solution. We can't see your computer so we need to know the details of your problem and setup, i.e.:
what version of iPhoto are you using?
what system version are you running?
what were you doing when iPhoto closed unexpectedly?
how big is your library, i.e. how many photos?
how long has the rebuilding been going on?
do you have a recent backup of the library made just prior to this occurring?
where is your library located?
did you apply any updates or upgrades just prior to the problem occurring?
are you running a "managed" or "referenced" library?
what type of Mac?
how much free space on your boot drive?

Loss of photos resulting from rebuilding the iPhoto library?

On behalf of myself and Susan Pease: Can following the directions to rebulild the iPhoto library (by holding down the option and shift keys while opening iPhoto) result in a loss of the photos? Is there some precaution we should take to make sure that the photos are not lost?

Hi, aag. I didn't make myself clear, at least not to you. Inside your personal Home folder on your hard drive is a Pictures folder, and inside the Pictures folder is an iPhoto Library folder. You can see this folder structure by visiting your Home folder in the Finder. What I was advising against in my prior post is opening that iPhoto Library folder in the Finder and adding, deleting or moving any of its contents. Don't do that.
When iPhoto is open, what it displays is the contents of that folder. It expects to find them exactly as they were the last time you closed iPhoto, and it counts heavily on finding them structured exactly the way it structured them the last time you ran it. If you have changed anything in there while iPhoto wasn't running, you're going to have trouble: iPhoto won't load the library, it won't display all your pictures, some of your albums may be missing or incomplete, etc.
"Nobody has any business in there except iPhoto itself" means that the only methods you should use to tweak, edit, delete, import, copy, export or organize the photos in your iPhoto Library folder are the methods offered by iPhoto itself when it's running†. When iPhoto isn't running, leave your iPhoto Library closed and stay out of it.
† Note that, at least in iPhoto 4 (I'm not familiar with iPhoto 2), these allowable methods include the designation of a different application for use in iPhoto's Edit mode, allowing you to use Photoshop, GraphicConverter, etc. to tweak your photos without removing them from iPhoto's control. But under no circumstances should you import a photo from your camera into Photoshop or GC and then save it in your iPhoto Library folder without opening iPhoto and importing it properly. And similarly, you should never open one of the photos in your library with another application, make changes to it, and resave it in the same place (or worse, a different place in that folder) without going through iPhoto to do so.
If you can train yourself to think of the iPhoto Library folder as a locked box to which only iPhoto has the key, you'll be doing yourself a big favor.

Iphoto locked up, I forced quit and now when I try to open iphoto it gives me a Caution note...The iphoto library is locked, on a locked disk, or you do not have permission to make changes to it. What do I do now?

I had to force quit from iphoto...
then I tried to reopen iphoto and it gave me a Caution message.
The iphoto library is locked, on a locked disc, or you do not have
permission to make changes to it....
What do I do to be able to get to my photographs?

Try Rebuilding the iPhoto library and post back with results. BTW if you don't get an answer on this forum there is an iPhoto forum too.

I don't know what has happened but I can't open iPhoto. When I try to open it I receive a caution "The iPhoto Library is locked, on a locked disk, or you do not have permission to make changes to it." How do I solve this??!!

I don't know what has happened but I now can't open iphoto. I get a caution when I try which says the iphoto library is locked! It was working perfectly fine this afternoon until I tried to upload some photos from my camera and my computer started to run very slow and wasn't recognising my camera. I tried to quit iphoto and then when I came back in to it, this was the message I received. As far as I am aware I didn't alter any settings or put on any locks. Please help!!

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 Rebuild iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup.
If that fails:
Option 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. .
Regards
TD

How can I back up the iPhoto library when iPhoto won't open and I can't simply copy the iPhoto library packet because "some of the data in the packet cannot be read from or written to"?

How can I back up the iPhoto library when iPhoto won't open and I can't simply copy the iPhoto library packet because "some of the data canny be read from or written to"?

Regarding not being able to open iPhoto. As a test launch iPhoto with the Option key held down and create a new, test library. Were you able to create a new library?
If so then your current library is damaged and needs to be repaired.
Apply the two fixes below in order as needed:
Fix #1
Launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys held down and rebuild the library.
Since only one option can be run at a time start
with Option #4 and then #1 as needed.
Fix #2
Using iPhoto Library Manager to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
1 - download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
2 - click on the Add Library button, navigate to your Home/Pictures folder and select your iPhoto Library folder.
3 - 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.
4 - In the next window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed.
5 - 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. However, books, calendars, cards and slideshows will be lost. The original library will be left untouched for further attempts at fixing the problem or in case the rebuilt library is not satisfactory.
OT

Can I copy the iPhoto Library to a different user on the same computer?

I have spent a lot of time organizing my iPhoto library.
My wife also has a user account on the iMac. She would like the iPhoto library I currently have, but (for many reasons) we do not want to share the same library.
Another words, I want to copy my iPhoto library to her side, then both maintain independent libraries.
Can I copy the iPhoto Library icon (in the Pictures folder) on my side to the the shared folder, then delete and replace her iPhoto Library file with mine in her Pictures folder? Or is there something about how the library is set up that will cause problems if I copy my iPhoto Library to her side as well?
Thanks,
-Lee

TD,
Thanks. I deleted her iPhoto Library, and replaced it with mine. I did hold down option and command the first time I opened iPhoto as you suggested. However, it did not ask me anything. It just opened as I might normally expect it to.
The library works perfectly, it is definitely my library that copied over.
Should I be worried that it did not ask me anything (like about rebuilding or repairing library permissions)?
Thanks,
-Lee

I lost all my photos, while repairing the Iphoto library lost most photos.. help!!!

Hi all!
It seemed I made several stupid choices while I was trying to repair iphoto.
1. Importing photos
When I was importing photos, Iphoto said there's not enough space in my startup disk. And it showed me some choices, and I don't exactly remember what I chose(was really tired after work)/ I think I did something and relaunch or something. And I think I forced quit when it seemed like not responding.
2. All photos were gone
When I reopened Iphoto, all photos were gone(it seemed like.)
3. The photos were there
So I googled like a maniac, found apple discussion. Checked iphoto library, and package contents. The photos were still in Old masters folder. The library was nearly 354gb or something.
4. Backing up
So I found a way, "repairing database". I tried follow people's suggestion, back up before you repair. So I was trying to back up with my timemachine, but again it was saying it's backing up for 459 something GB, and I didn't have enough space in my hard drive, so I didn't back up.(stupid choice).
At this stage, the photos were still there.
5. Repair database
Then I was trying to repair or rebuild database, and......when it was loading my enormous amount of photos 130,000photos, it was saying there might not be enough space in my startup disk, DO YOU WANT TO CONTINUE? and I said....yes.
6. Importing photos
So when it was doing its job, importing from the library, several hours passed. Then it said there's not enough space, and it stopped.
7. Iphoto library,,,,,,nothing there.
So now,,, the iphoto library is 1.47gb.....instead of 375 something gb.
It seems the all photos are gone.
8. the luck is.
I backed up on 28th, January. And photos from 30th, January are still in my SD card. So if I go back to 28th of January, I will only loose one day of photos.
But I don't want to loose them. I came to Kenya to build a children's library transforming an old bus, and the lost photos are when we are painting outside of the bus. The most fun part.
9. HELP
So please help!!!! I want to do all I can do to bring those photos back.
10. additional information
I deleted many files to have some space. When I check about this Mac, the storage shows back ups are 400 something GB.. why???
Thank you so much! Asante sana in advance.
Bobae.

The fact that the original files are in the "Old Masters" folder is an indication that you got bit by a bug in iPhoto that occurs when an import is interrupted.
I recommended a possible fix to another user but haven't heard back from them as to whether or not it worked. It consisted of:
1 - move the "masters" folder to the Desktop.
2 - rename "Old Masters" to "Masters"
3 - rebuild the library with iPLM with the option to scavenge any orphaned photos.
It is a long shot but worth a try.
If that doesn't work you'll need to start over with a new library and import the contents of the "Old Masters" folder, several sub folders at a time.

I went into the original files in the iphoto library and organised the photos there, now when I try to look at the photos in iphoto the tiles are there but when I try to enlarge or put into a slide show a big grey explanation mark occurs?

I tried to organise my iphoto originals to it would be easier to back them up onto my hard drive, so I renamed them and grouped them in the orinigal file. Now when I go onto iphoto to view the photos in a slide show a big exclamation mark comes up and if I click on the photo to see the original file it can't find it. Any ideas?

You won't be able to run the rebuild function and restore your library becaue you renamed and regrouped your original photos from the Finder. I doubt if you can change the names back to their original names and put them back in the folders they were in originally so your only option is get your backup library and replace the one you damaged.
If you don't have a backup copy of the library from just before the problem that contains all of your photos you will need to start over from scratch as follows:
Start over from scratch with new library
Start over with a new library and import the Originals (iPhoto 09 and earlier) or the Masters (iPhoto 11) folder from your original library as follows:
1. Move the existing library folder to the desktop.
2. Open the library package like this.
Click to view full size
3. Launch iPhoto and, when asked, select the option to create a new library.
4. Drag the Originals (iPhoto 09 and earlier) or the Masters (iPhoto 11) folder from the iPhoto Library on the desktop into the open iPhoto window.
Click to view full size
This will create a new library with the same Events as the original library but will not keep the metadata, albums, books slideshows and other projects.
In the future stay out of the iPhoto Library package and only access the photos using iPhoto.
OT

Can't open iPhoto "To open your library with this version of iPhoto, it first needs to be prepared. To prepare the library, use the iPhoto Library Upgrader available from Apple." Doesn't work...

I've tried to open my iPhoto and a message box opens up and reads "To open your library with this version of iPhoto, it first needs to be prepared. To prepare the library, use the iPhoto Library Upgrader available from Apple." I update this and this message continues to pop up. I've even tried to rebuild it, but no matter what I do the same message appears and iPhoto still wpn't open. Can somebody please help me?!

i'm having the same problem with my iMac (Mac OS X 10.7.5) . i haven't really made any updates to it and yesterday when i tried to access the iPhoto library of my MBP (from my iMac) is when problems started. The iPhoto on the iMac initially said I need to install the recent version of the iPhoto. Since I can't find a 9.0 download, I went to buy the iPhoto on the App store.
When I tried to install iPhoto (version 9.4.3) to the iMac, I got this message:
The iPhoto Library Upgrader is a tool that prepares libraries from iPhoto 5 or earlier, so you can upgrade them with the current version of iPhoto. You can download the tool here.
Note: If your library is from iPhoto 6 or later, this tool is not required."
I then installed the iPhone Library Upgrader, but I got the same prompt:
'You can't open your current photo library using this version of the iPhoto. You have made changes to your library using a newer version of iPhoto. Please quit and use the latest version of iPhoto."
I guess this takes me back to square one? I am inclined to buy the iLife on eBay with the iPhoto 9.0 version, but needed to know if this is the case before I unfortunately bite the bullet.

RAW thumbnails missing after iPhoto library rebuild

iPhoto would not open for me shortly after upgrading to Lion. I rebuilt the library using command + option with all checkboxes checked. All JPEG thumbnails were present, but all RAW thumbnails just showed a black box with a dashed line. When I double click the missing thumbnail, the image does appear in iPhoto.
I then rebuilt the library a second time, but the problem is the same. The iPhoto library is in the normal place on the startup drive.
RAW photos were generated with a Canon Digital Rebel and Canon 40D cameras. I do have Aperture on the system as well.

As I say, I've seen it take 4 times to work.
Other than that:
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.

Hung the iPhoto library rebuild

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