IPhoto 08, permitions missing?

Question

Hi!
This is my first post in the forum.
I have a really annoying problem that I guess I made my self.
I am no longer able to open my iPhoto library.
See the pictures (OS is in Norwegian):
http://bildr.no/view/325566
http://bildr.no/view/325568
I have lost permitions to open the library and the library is at
zero kb!
I know the pictures are not deleted.
No change in disk space have been done.
What I have done:
1. I tried sharing picture folder and then also iPhoto library with different user on this same computer.
2. I made, at least I think I did, make changes inside the info window of iPhoto library as follows:
- Make «username2» as owner.
- Deleting the user «username2» that have got ownership of the library. (I have a disk image of that user on my computer.)
Now I get all the messages as shown in the first picture telling me this:
1. There was a problem when changing the application to open iPhoto Library because there is not enough information.
2. You cannot change iPhoto Library so it always open in the chosen application.
3. iPhoto Library is closed, its on a closed disk, or you don't have permition to change it.
Anyone see my problem?
Anyone who can point me in the right direction to fix my problem?

Answer 1

Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
You have a damaged database file. This is very likely caused by your efforts at sharing.
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.
As to sharing:
There are two ways to share, depending on what you mean by 'share'.
If you want the other user to be able to see the pics, but not add to, change or alter your library, then enable Sharing in your iPhoto (Preferences -> Sharing), leave iPhoto running and use Fast User Switching to open the other account. In that account, enable 'Look For Shared Libraries'. Your Library will appear in the other source pane.
Remember iPhoto must be running in both accounts for this to work.
If you want the other user to have the same access to the library as you: to be able to add, edit, organise, keyword etc. then:
Quit iPhoto in both accounts
Move the iPhoto Library Folder to an external HD set to ignore permissions. You could also use a Disk Image or even partition your Hard Disk.
In each account in turn: Hold down the option (or alt) key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting dialogue, select 'Choose Library' and navigate to the new library location. From that point on, this will be the default library location. Both accounts will have full access to the library, in fact, both accounts will 'own' it.
However, there is a catch with this system and it is a significant one. iPhoto is not a multi-user app., it does not have the code to negotiate two users simultaneously writing to the database, and trying will cause db corruption. So only one user at a time, and back up, back up back up.
Finally: If you’re comfortable in the Terminal, and understand File Permissions, ACL’s etc., some folks have reported success using the process outlined here . (Note this page refers to 10.4, but it should also work on 10.5). If you’re not comfortable with the terminal, and don’t know an ACL from the ACLU, then you’re best doing something else... Oh, and the warning about simultaneous users still applies.
There is never a need to vary the permissions in the Library itself.
Regards
TD