I am having trouble with iPhoto-it won't launch.

Question

am having trouble with iPhoto-it won't launch and leaves a blank white screen box and spinning wheel of death-if I re-install software-will I lose all photos and faces settings? Any ideas-this is a Mac Pro and Xserve school system.
It seemed to stem from when I was transferring some movie footage from an HD camcorder to iMovie.
This is a school system and I'm worried I may lose many photos and face recognition data.
Phil

Answer 1

1. The library is separate from the application, so re-installing shouldn't cause an issue with the actual photos. But it would be foolhardy in the extreme to do anything without first backing up.
2. Often these issues are caused by a damaged Library, so reinstalling doesn't change much.
FWIW
To re-install iPhoto
1. Put the iPhoto.app in the trash (Drag it from your Applications Folder to the trash)
2a: On 10.5:  Go to HD/Library/Receipts and remove any pkg file there with iPhoto in the name.
2b: On 10.6: Those receipts may be found as follows:  In the Finder use the Go menu and select Go To Folder. In the resulting window type
/var/db/receipts/
A Finder Window will open at that location and you can remove the iPhoto pkg files.
3. Re-install.
If you purchased an iLife Disk, then iPhoto is on it.
If iPhoto was installed on your Mac when you go it then it’s on the System Restore disks that came with your Mac. Insert the first one and opt to ‘Install Bundled Applications Only.
If you purchased it on the App Store you can find it in your Purchases List.
Alternative approach:
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