IPHOTO crash, pictures lost

Just recently iPhoto crashed and I've lost all of my pictures that I downloaded. I've tried to locate them through backdoor means but with no avail. iPhoto is a relatively new program to me so I need all the help I can get.
Titanium PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.7) 867 MHz PowerPC G4, 1 MB L3 cache

Hi, Catiepie. Since you were in the middle of re-importing your photos when you posted, we don't know whether or not that resolved your problem. If it didn't, you may now be a bit worse off than you were before, depending on exactly how you went about it. Let us know the outcome.
When your computer hangs and you force it to restart, it doesn't have a chance to do its normal directory housekeeping chores before shutting down, and the result is often a damaged directory that doesn't properly reflect changes you made before the forced restart. That's one possible explanation for the corruption and apparent disappearance of your iPhoto Library. A more likely explanation, given your additional questions, is that you had been mucking about in your iPhoto Library folder in the Finder, trying to arrange things in there more understandably. If that's the case, your library was corrupt even before the system hang and forced restart, and its corruption was entirely the result of your meddling with the organization that iPhoto imposes on its library, and expects to find in place the next time you open the application. You must stay out of your iPhoto Library folder at all times, leaving everything inside it exactly as iPhoto has arranged it. Simply renaming a file in there is enough to prevent iPhoto from opening the library at all. Use the options within iPhoto for all alterations of the contents of its library.
If you have trouble locating photos in your iPhoto Library when you're working in other apps, open iPhoto and export copies of the photos in question to the desktop. Then quit iPhoto. The pix will then be right where you can easily put your hands on them, and you won't have to go rummaging through the iPhoto Library folder after them.

Similar Messages

Imported photos, deleted originals, then iphoto crashed and lost everything

I imported photos from my iphone, deleted the originals (i never do this, but figured, it's a new year so i should start cleaning up my phone!), and then iphoto crashed and now the photos i imported are nowhere to be found! help!

Welcome to the Apple Discussions. There's still a good chance that the photos are in the library but just not being recognized by iPhoto. Backup the library and try the three fixes below in order as needed:
Fix #1
Delete the iPhoto preference file, com.apple.iPhoto.plist, that resides in your User/Library/Preferences folder.
NOTE: If you're moved your library from its default location in your Home/Pictures folder you will have to point iPhoto to its new location when you next open iPhoto by holding the the Option key. You'll also have to reset the iPhoto's various preferences.
Fix #2
Launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys depressed and follow the instructions to rebuild the library. Select last three options.
Click to view full size
Fix #3
Rebuild the library using iPhoto Library Manager as follows:
Using iPhoto Library Manager to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
1 -Download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
2 -Click on the Add Library button, navigate to your User/Pictures folder and select your iPhoto Library folder.
3 - Now that the library is listed in the left hand pane of iPLM, click on your library and go to the File->Rebuild Library menu option
4 - In the next window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed.
5 - Click on the Create button.
Note: This creates a new library based on the LIbraryData.xml file in the library and will recover Events, Albums, keywords, titles and comments but not books, calendars or slideshows. The original library will be left untouched for further attempts at fixing the problem or in case the rebuilt library is not satisfactory.
OT
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto (iPhoto.Library for iPhoto 5 and earlier versions) 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.
NOTE: this is not the same as routinely backing up your entire iPhoto library folder to protect your photos. It only protects the loss of your organizational efforts that the database file contains.
I've created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger or later), 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. There are versions that are compatible with iPhoto 5, 6, 7 and 8 libraries and Tiger and Leopard. Just put the application in the Dock and click on it whenever you want to backup the dB file. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.
NOTE: The new rebuild option in iPhoto 09 (v. 8.0.2), Rebuild the iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup" makes this tip obsolete.

Lost pictures when syncing from camera and iPhoto crashed.

I was syncing my photos (around 900), and iPhoto crashed. They are no longer on my camera and not on iPhoto. Any way to recover it?

maybe
you can try Back up your iPhoto library, Depress and hold the option (alt) and command keys and launch iPhoto - rebuild your iPhoto library database
you may be able to recover the phtos on the SD card using media recover
for the future a best practice to is to never have any computer program (including iPhoto) delete the photos from the card but to import the photos and keep them and then after at least one successful backup cycle has completed and then reformat the card -- I use three very large (32 GB) cards in rotation so I do not reformat for typically a year or more giving me one more long term backup of my photos
LN

Lost photos as iphoto crashed- how do I get them back?

As I was downloading my photos from my exilim camera, iphoto crashed and I lost my photos. I pressed the download and delete from camera button as I usually do- so there aren't any files left on the camera. Can I open one of those files in the picture library that I have no idea what their function is about and find my photos?? Are my pictures possibly hidden somewhere. Please help!!
Powerbook G4 12" Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Isaac:
Welcome to the Apple Discussions. The photos in your library are in the User/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Originals folder. What happened is that the crash damaged the Library6.iPhoto database file, causing iPhoto to think there are no photos in the library.
You'll have to start over with a new library and import the Originals folder and subfolders into the new library. Move the current library folder to the desktop and launch iPhoto. When it asks you what to do select "Create library". Then drag just the Originals folder from the library on the desktop into the open iPhoto window. That will give you the same rolls as was in the old library but no keywords, comments, albums, etc.
To recover the files in the camera you can try MediaRECOVER. You can run it in the Demo mode to see what photos it will be able to recover before you commit to purchase.
In the future for insurance against the occasional iPhoto database corruption that you experienced I recommend that you make 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 you your library back. With that in mind by keeping it current I mean backup after each import and after any serious editing or creating that you might do in the library like making books, slideshows, 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.
Do you Twango?

I have had my iphoto crash twice whilst nearing the end of making a photo book. Are these books lost and do I have to start again? ): I cant find the folder in iphoto on the time capsule. Folder from which the book was being made is now empty? help pleas

I have had my iphoto crash twice whilst nearing the end of making a photo book. Are these books lost and do I have to start again? ): I cant find the folder in iphoto on the time capsule. Folder from which the book was being made is now empty? help please Using IMAC OSx

Hi shldr2thewheel,
it has been a while since we have last spoke, I would like to let you know, I am still working on getting used to the switch from windows to a Mac/Apple system. I do have a new question for you, I did purchase In Design CS5.5 through journeyed.com through Cuyahoga Community College of which I attend as a student, is there a way to purchase an online book through iTunes to learn that as well? Also, you know me, the struggling student, I would also, when and if the book can be purchased through the iTunes, would need to know if you do know of a much easier book for struggling students like myself and at a reasonable price as well for the In Design CS5.5 program. Our campus bookstore had closed early, and, so did the colleges library and our local library here where I do live, so, I cannot go to either place to purchase a book or to take out a book, plus cash funds are low at this moment as well but, I do have money left on the iTunes account to use, if it can be used. So, can it be used, the iTunes money, towards finding a low priced online book? I am in great need of assistance as I have a project due for my one course for this Tuesday, September 4, 2012.
Sincerely in need of help once again,
Kim

IPhoto crashed during sync, photos lost .. can I recover?

So I plugged my iPhone in, iTunes opens & I open iPhoto. Whilst iPhoto syncs I choose to delete photos once it's finished. Stupidly started doing something else at the same time and then both iTunes & iPhoto crash. I end up having to restart. Look at my phone and all 100 photos have gone .. check iPhoto and they are not there either
There are a load of text files that look like they should be the images, but they're not.
Is there any way to restore lost photos? (I don't think the iTunes sync had finished up either so I can't restore to a previous time). Any ideas?
Thanks,
Imogen

If you took the photos with your phone, they might be still part of your last iphone backup, if you did not back up after the crash. "About backups": http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1766

IPhoto Crashes if I just look at a picture

Just recently loaded in a 1 Gig card 4 or 5 times four Gig or so in Photos. I have almost 20 Gig in the iPhoto folder. Have been running 5.0.4 for a while without incident. Suddenly after just scrolling through a couple of pictures or sometimes just selecting one iPhoto crashes and the only error message I get is in the error report that is generated. It's all Greek to me.
Any clues?

Have just one 500 Meg Ram. I have an 80 Gig drive, of which an average of 60 Gig are on it.
The 20 Gig of pictures are about 9,800 photos. Hey I archived some recently...... By the way I'm trying to decide on a good archival system.....
Is there a maximum to the number of Pics with iPhoto before it gets sluggish and crashey?
I heard it may work better with Tiger.

Iphoto crashes so tried the Alt start with new library and that worked. So now what? How to I get back to my pictures.

Iphoto crashes so tried the Alt start with new library and that worked. So now what? How to I get back to my pictures.

That shows you that iPhoto is working correctly and whatever issue you are having is based in your original library.
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.

I was importing photos to iphoto and somehow lost access to my iTunes library. when i open iPhoto, it asks me to select a library, but there are no photo libraries for me to select. I cant find my pictures and have no access to my iPhoto..

I was importing photos to iphoto and somehow lost access to my iTunes library. when i open iPhoto, it asks me to select a library, but there are no photo libraries present for me to select. I cant find my pictures and have no access to my iPhoto.

somehow lost access to my iTunes library.
What does iTunes have to do with this? Also more specific information might be helpful.
What system and iPhoto versions are you running?
Where are you being asked to select a library? What kind of library, iPhoto or iTunes?
What do you see when you first launch iPhoto?
OT

Upgraded to iphoto 11 and lost all pictures

Perhaps my question has been answered in another area, but I couldn't find it. I, like others who have upgraded to iphoto 11 have lost all my pictures. They are not on the new iphoto version nor in any of the picture library files. Are they gone? If not, where do I start looking for them? Never had a problem like this before. Any Advice?
Thanks.

What system are you running and what version of iPhoto do you currenty have? How did you perform the upgrade? From an iLife disc or from the App Store?
Is there an iPhoto Library package in your Pictures fodler? If so what is its size as shown in the Finder?
Is that size large enought to include your photos?
OT

I was working with iPhoto downloading pictures and it quit unexpectedly and i lost a bunch of pictures what do i do can they be recovered ? Please can someone help it took me 12 hours between scanning & transferring & dating old family slides

I was working with iPhoto downloading pictures and it quit unexpectedly and i lost a bunch of pictures what do i do can they be recovered some where on my computer?? Please can someone help it took me 12 hours just today not counting yesterday between scanning & transferring with a flash drive then dating old family slides in my iphoto. I lost alot

I was working with iPhoto downloading pictures
Do you mean importing photos? If so what were you importing from? If it is a flash drive why not just re-import from it? Where did you scan them?
As to backups - you really need to always have your backup running - without good backups you will lose all photos sooner or later
LN

IPhoto crashes when trying to view pictures.

Everytime I click on a thumbnail to view the picture, iPhoto crashes. Prior to this I had the problem of the endless loop of "Loading photos...". I thought I had it fixed when I trashed the AppleAppSupport.framework folder, but not entirely. Hope someone can help me with this.
Powermac G4 Quicksilver Mac OS X (10.4.2)

Hi Ernie,
That folder and the contents within it it are needed by iPhoto. You need to reinstall iPhoto or copy that folder to your computer from another computer running the same version of iPhoto.
check out this thread
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=193522&tstart=0
Lori

The pictures in several events I imported disappeared, only the event names remain. Now iPhoto crashes when I try to import new files. Any ideas?

I imported several hundred pictures to different events. Some directly from a Canon EOS camera (large card) and some form old CD's. The import process went fine. But I noticed some events were empty after having seen them in the library. Thought it was my mistake and may have moved the pictures to other event. The last CD I was importing could not be read and iPhoto hanged. I had to force turn off the laptop and when restarted, several of the newer events were also empty and now iPhoto crashes when I try to Import to Library. Does anybody has had an experience like this? I really need to recover the pictures because I already deleted them from the camera. Help will be greatly appreciated.

What version of iPhoto? Assuming 09 or later...
Option 1
Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Repair Database. If that doesn't help, then try again, this time using Rebuild Database.
If that fails:
Option 2
Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. (In early versions of Library Manager it's the File -> Rebuild command. In later versions it's under the Library menu.)
This will create an entirely new library. It will then copy (or try to) your photos and all the associated metadata and versions to this new Library, and arrange it as close as it can to what you had in the damaged Library. It does this based on information it finds in the iPhoto sharing mechanism - but that means that things not shared won't be there, so no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your events, albums and keywords, faces and places 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.
Regards
TD

IPhoto crash, lost slideshows

Iphoto crashed - it just shut down - and I lost all the content in my slideshows. Any idea how I can recover them?

With the amount of information you've provided it's impossible to offer a solution. We can't see your computer so we need to know the details of your problem and setup, i.e.:
what version of iPhoto are you using?
what system version are you running?
what do you see when iPhoto opens you library? Describe or post screenshots.
what fixes have you tried?
where is your library located?
did you apply any updates or upgrades just prior to the problem occurring?
are you running a "managed" or "referenced" library?
what type of Mac?
how much free space on your boot drive?

IPhoto crashed - Lost Project Progress

iPhoto crashed and I lost the majority of a photo book I was working on (which took a few hours of carefully selecting and composing pages.) Is there any way to recover the file?

Unfortunately no
LN

IPHOTO crash, pictures lost

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for