IPhoto 6 failure to detect duplicates when importing

Question

When importing from camera iPhoto 6 refuses to recognize duplicate photos. I can import a roll, switch the camera off and quit iPhoto, and a few minutes later just repeat the import. iPhoto duly creates a new roll and imports the same batch of pictures all over without the expected warning dialog and using exactly the same file names.
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Version of iPhoto is 6.0.5.

Answer 1

hippocrene:
Welcome to the Apple Discussion. I don't import directly from the camera but when importing from a folder on the HD I do get the duplicate warning. First try deleting the iPhoto preference file, com.apple.iPhoto.plist, that's in your User/Library/Preferences folder. A damaged pref file can cause a number of seemingly unrelated problems. If that doesn't help see if importing from the desktop will do that. I prefer to upload to a folder and then import from that folder. Avoids some issues of a potential aborted upload due to battery drain, etc.
Do you Twango?
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
I've written an Automator workflow application, iPhoto dB file backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. You can download it at Toad's Cellar