Iphoto 5.0.4 version

Question

2 problems:
1. when I edit a photo, it does not save any of my changes. Instructions state it's suppose to happen automatically after making the changes. Not so.
2. I lost (use the term lost loosely) all pictures in library. Called Mac support to assist me in retrieving them, and we were successful. It was an engaging technical evolution requiring both hands and a minimum of 5-6 fingers. Several months later, and I've lost all the pictures again. Contacted Mac support and instead of walking me through it, they sent me an email with the step to rebuild Iphoto for Mac 0s x 10.4 or later. I followed the steps and my library is empty. At least I had an empty box representing where the pictures were in the library prior to taking these latest steps.
Any help would be apprecitated in retrieving these pictures.
Also, would it be best to update to the latest version of Iphoto at this point.
Thanks.
Compt

Answer 1

Compt
While I do recommend updating iPhoto, this is not the point to do it.
You have a damaged library and until you have fixed that, all you will be doing is rolling the problem further on.
Both the issues describe are attributable to a damaged database file, and, absent a recent back up, the solution is to create a new library.
Option 1: 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.
Option 2: The process as described here: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107947
When you have a working library is the point to upgrade.
Regards
TD