IPhoto crashes upon Startup

Question

Hello all
Upgraded to recent version of iLife lately - while I was still running Leopard (2 weeks ago) - gave me the normal prompt to 'upgrade' my library when I started, not a problem - ran through fine. However, now whenever I startup, iPhoto sits there for about 5 minutes, frozen, until it lets me use it. It loads whatever picture is in the chosen view - than just sits there.
Very frustrating! I've upgraded to Leopard and the problem persists.
Help?
Thanks,
Daniel.

Answer 1

Daniel:
Welcome to the Apple Discussions. You may have a damaged database file in the library or a damaged preference file or erroneous access privileges to one or more files. The first thing to try is delete the iPhoto preference file, com.apple.iPhoto.plist, that resides in your User/Library/Preferences folder and launch iPhoto to see if it will open OK.
If not the download and run BatChmod on the iPhoto Library folder with the settings shown here, putting your administrator login name, long or short, in the owner and group sections. You can either type in the path to the folder or just drag the folder into that field.
Lastly, if needed, rebuild the library as follows: launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys depressed and follow the instructions to rebuild the library. Select the first three options.
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 created 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. It's compatible with iPhoto 08 libraries. 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.