IPHOTO CRASH AGAIN!!! TD are you there?

Question

this just happened in April and now again. i pulled up the post from before and read (thanks for all the help before) but i am wondering if anyone has any new insight on why this keeps happening.
please help and tell me what i need to post or show you to resolve this issue. i have 9700+ photos on here.
here is the link from before
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=4339196#4339196
thanks again,
movie lady

Answer 1

Did you by chance dismount the external drive with iPhoto opened? If so that probably trashed the database file and caused your current situation.
Do you have a backup copy of the iPhoto database file, Library6.iPhoto? It's the most critical file of the library.
If the rebuild does not restore your library and you don't have a backup copy of either the library folder or the database file, you'll have to start fresh with a new library and import the original files from the old library. Here's how:
Creating a new library while preserving the rolls from the original.
Move the existing library folder to the desktop.
Launch iPhoto and, when asked, select the option to create a new library.
Drag the Originals folder from the iPhoto Library on the desktop into the open iPhoto window.
This will create a new library with the same rolls as the original library. However dates on the rolls may be different but can be edited as you would the roll title.
Once this is completed you can delete the iPhoto library folder from the desktop. If desired, you can keep the older library folder to try other fixes on it.
In the future I recommend you make a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto file after each import and after doing a lot of editing and organizing in the library. Then if you experience a similar crash all you need to do is replace the damaged database file with the backup copy and you'll be back to the same place in the library as when you make the backup. See the tip at the end of my signature. You'll have to modify the Autromator script to look for the database file on the external HD. Then it will be copied to your Pictures folder on your boot drive. Use it after any import, editing, organizing, etc. that you do in iPhoto.
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 (requires Tiger), 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. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.