Iphone require me to local every single file.. why

Question

Not sure is it something wrong with the database. I just re-installed leopard and I copy the entire iphone library from my backup.
When I opened the application it seems fine, all the thrumbnail and folder is there but when I click onto it. it said they cannot find the file and want me to local it.. and I have to do it for every single one..
I tried to delete the whole folder and import the file again but it said the volume cannot be found..
is there something wrong with my database ??

Answer 1

Well what's happened here is that you've referenced the file and the file's location has changed. When you reference a file then you take responsibility for file management, and one of the trickiest things to do is move libraries across volumes.
Using REFERENCED libraries you need to be aware of a number of potential pitfalls.
1. Import and deleting pics are more complex procedures
2. You cannot move or rename the files on your system or iPhoto will lose track of them
3. Most importantly, migrating to a new disk or computer can be much more complex.
Always allowing for personal preference, I've yet to see a good reason to run iPhoto in referenced mode unless you're using two photo organisers.
If disk space is an issue, you can run an entire iPhoto Library from an external disk:
1. Quit iPhoto
2. Copy the iPhoto Library as an entity from your Pictures Folder to the External Disk.
3. Hold down the option (or alt) key while launching iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library' and navigate to the new location. From that point on this will be the default location of your library.
4. Test the library and when you're sure all is well, trash the one on your internal HD to free up space.
If you're concerned about finding the files there are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto:
For 10.5 users: You can use any Open / Attach / Browse dialogue. On the left there's a Media heading, your pics can be accessed there. Apple-Click for selecting multiple pics.
To upload to a site that does not have an iPhoto Export Plug-in the recommended way is to Select the Pic in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export and export the pic to the desktop, then upload from there. After the upload you can trash the pic on the desktop. It's only a copy and your original is safe in iPhoto.
This is also true for emailing with Web-based services. If you're using Gmail you can use THIS
If you use Apple's Mail, Entourage, AOL or Eudora you can email from within iPhoto.
If you use a Cocoa-based Browser such as Safari, you can drag the pics from the iPhoto Window to the Attach window in the browser.
Or, if you want to access the files with iPhoto not running, then create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use THIS
Other options include:
1. *Drag and Drop*: Drag a photo from the iPhoto Window to the desktop, there iPhoto will make a full-sized copy of the pic.
2. *File -> Export*: Select the files in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export. The dialogue will give you various options, including altering the format, naming the files and changing the size. Again, producing a copy.
3. *Show File*: Right- (or Control-) Click on a pic and in the resulting dialogue choose 'Show File'. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.
As to getting our of your present predicament:
What version of iPhoto are you using? Your posting on the v5 forum, but you're on a MacBook and iirc the earliest version of iPhoto that came on a MacBook was v6. I ask as it makes a difference on the possible fixes.
Regards
TD