Iphoto library missing

When I opened iphoto 6, it asked me if I wanted to update caches,but I chose "later". However, it shows no photos even though files are still there. I relaunched iphoto using alt key and it asked me to either create new library or choose library. I selected choose library and it it opened an old iphoto with files created in 2005 but still no pictures! I can't seem to get back to original iphoto with all my current files.

aue
Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
You have a damaged database file.
Try these in order - from best option on down...
1. Do you have an up-to-date back up? If so, try copy the library6.iphoto file from the back up to the iPhoto Library allowing it to overwrite the damaged file.
2. 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.
3. If neither of these work then you'll need to create and populate a new library.
To create and populate a new library:
Note this will give you a working library with the same Rolls and pictures as before, however, you will lose your albums, keywords, modified versions, books, calendars etc.
Move the iPhoto Library to the desktop
Launch iPhoto. It will ask if you wish to create a new Library. Say Yes.
Go into the iPhoto Library on your desktop and find the Originals folder. From the Originals folder drag the individual Roll Folders to the iPhoto Window and it will recreate them in the new library.
When you're sure all is well you can delete the iPhoto Library on your desktop.
In the future, in addition to your usual back up routine, you might like to make a copy of the library6.iPhoto file whenever you have made changes to the library as protection against database corruption.
Regards
TD

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IPhoto library missing. Tried "other library", found iPhoto, clicked open, nothing happened library

iPhoto library missing. Tried "other library", found iPhoto library, clicked open, nothing happened.

Restore your backup - obviously no one here has any idea where anything on your computer is located - by default the iPhoto library is int he pictures folder
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George,
You get a "gold star" for your observations. Your interpretation seems crystal clear.
After your first rebuild, the "_1" library folder was made the "current" library. To change to a different library (assuming you have more than one), you must "trick" iPhoto into believing that it has lost track of what it "thinks" is the current library. That's done by changing the current library's name (even slightly) using the Finder.
If the old folder has nothing of interest, you can delete it when the rebuilt folder satisfies you, and the rest of this reply is just academic.
If for some reason both folders have unique images, and you want to combine them into a common library, then you would do as I described in step 5 -- drag the "old" iPhoto Library folder into the "current" iPhoto Library folder (iPhoto must not be active), then rebuild the current iPhoto library folder. Under the circumstances you describe, you do not need to choose a new library, because the rebuilt library you've just created serves that purpose.
Since you no longer have a folder named "iPhoto Library" (you changed it's name by adding "-old", and you will have moved it into the "_1" folder), now when you rebuild again, the new "current" library will get the name "iPhoto Library" by default. When you're done, you will find the iPhoto Library_1 folder still there in Pictures (with "iPhoto Library-old" still inside it), but it will no longer be the "current" library.
The only duplicates you will find will have occurred if "iPhoto Library-old" and "iPhoto Library_1" happen to each contain the same photo(s). Unnecessary duplicates can be deleted from within iPhoto after the final rebuild has completed. If you're satisfied with the rebuild, then you can also delete the "_1" folder.

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After upgrading to 9.4.3 my 3 latest events and iBook (WIP) are missing. The Event folders exist but when I try to look at the files either in the event or in photos they exsist only as a blank image with the original Id intack. None of the dB rebuild options on iPhoto start up have recovered the files or made them readable. Any ideas?

Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. (In Library Manager it's the FIle -> Rebuild command)
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_+*VERY ANGRY!!_!+*
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The Apple Genius just called again and wanted to give up, but as a last gasp, I convinced them to restore the whole 10.5 install off the drive, in hopes that 10.5 might recognize the library where 10.6 cannot. Given my understanding that Time Machine was supposed to back-up the whole drive, I have faint hopes this might work.

IPhoto Library Missing - can't restore old library to new iPhoto

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Sorry but what is the actual problem?
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4927
has details on how to restore an iPhoto Library from Time Machine.

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Thanks Terence for your followup.
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I have recently upgraded to Leopard and last night upgraded to the most recent version of iPhoto. When I opened iphoto only the last import I did appeared in the library. In older iPhoto versions it showed the actual file structure with pictures in them but now all I see is a single file called iphoto library. To recover the pictures in iPhoto I dragged the iphoto library file to iphoto. It then imported them, but I believe also took up significant hard drive space to do it. My pictures at first blush appear to be back in the library, though I am not sure all of them as I have 17,000. I do have two iphoto libraries on my computer. Perhaps the upgrades caused iphoto to look in the wrong place.
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Well, It would seem the only problems I have now is that I have two of everything and my thumbnails appear as if they are pictures
Well that's a direct result of
To recover the pictures in iPhoto I dragged the iphoto library file to iphoto. It then imported them,
As the iPhoto Library Folder contains Original, Modified and Thumbnail versions.
Given that you also dragged into a damaged database, I think your best bet is to start over. Do you have a back up? If not then you'll need to create and populate a new library.
To create and populate a new library:
Note this will give you a working library with the same Events and pictures as before, however, you will lose your albums, keywords, modified versions, books, calendars etc.
In the iPhoto Preferences -> Events Uncheck the box at 'Imported Items from the Finder'
Move the iPhoto Library to the desktop
Launch iPhoto. It will ask if you wish to create a new Library. Say Yes.
Go into the iPhoto Library (Right Click -> Show Package Contents) on your desktop and find the Originals folder. From the Originals folder drag the individual Event Folders to the iPhoto Window and it will recreate them in the new library. *However br sure that you do not bring over any file smaller than 100kb, as these will only be the thumbnails*
When you're sure all is well you can delete the iPhoto Library on your desktop.
In the future, in addition to your usual back up routine, you might like to make a copy of the library6.iPhoto file whenever you have made changes to the library as protection against database corruption.
If you still have duplicates then try using Duplicate Annihilator
Regards
TD

IPhoto library missing photos after rebuild

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Did you try to rebuild with iPhoto with "Find orphans" option selected? If that doesn't work you'll have to start over with a new library as follows:
Creating a new library while preserving the Events from the original library.
1 - Move the existing library folder to the desktop
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Dino:
Check in your User/Pictures folder and see if you have more than one iPhoto Library folder. If so check the Originals folder of each to see which contains your image files. Then move the one without the image files to the desktop.
Next delete the iPhoto preference file, com.apple.iPhoto.plist, that's in your User/Library/Preferences folder. Launch iPhoto with the Option key depressed and when asked, search for and select the library folder in your Pictures folder to open. If it crashes again, try the following:
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Download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
Click on the Add Library button, navigate to your User/Pictures folder and select your iPhoto Library folder.
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
In the next window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed.
Click on the Create button.
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This creates a new library folder which you name and leaves your original library folder untouched. It has succeeded where other methods have not.

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I have a big iPhoto library, about 30.000 photos
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If I go to my albuns or smart albuns, it shows the photos there. But not on my books.
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thanks
lucia

Hi Old Toad again!
I Ready this post from you:
"Since the xml files are hosed try the following: open the iPhoto package and move the two Albumdata.xml files to the Desktop. Launch iPhoto which will rebuild the xml files. This may or may not recover the keepsakes, i.e. books, calendars, etc.
I know the horse is out of the barn but for future books you might consider what's described in Old Toad's Tutorial #9a - Archiving an iPhoto 7(08)/8(09) Book for Editing and/or Ordering at a Later Date. "
2 questions:
1. should I try to do the first step? Just to clarify: All the events, photos, albuns & smart albuns are there. Only the books, when I click on them, it doesn's show anything, keeps showing what I have selected before.
2. I ready your # 9a Tutorial. It has to be done 1 book at the time? I have about 30 books, how should I do it?
Thanks
Lucia

Iphoto library missing from Time Machine backup

I recently backed up my Mac Mini (Mac OS X v10.7.5) to a Seacoast 1TB external hard drive with the Time Machine feature. I wanted to double check a few key files to ensure they were backed up. Upon searching I was able to discover all my files transfered over EXCEPT my iphoto library or rather I might be looking for it in the wrong place. I made sure iphoto was closed during the back up. I currently have about 17,000 photos and I would like them preserved above all else. Can anyone provide some suggestions?

Have a look at
 > System Preferences... > Time Machine
Click the padlock (bottom left) if its not open, and enter an Admin password.
Next, click the 'Options...' button (bottom right)
Is iPhoto listed in the window? If so, it means it's been excluded from the backup.
To include it, highlight it in the window, click the -minus button and hit 'Save'.
In the menu bar, click the TM icon and choose 'Back up now' from the menu to start the backup.

My iPhoto Library missing. How can I retrieve it?

I did not know what key I pressed. My iphoto gone. Can someone help me how to retrieve the file back if possible.
Tks

Restore from your back up.

I have an old Mac book pro which had hundreds of photos in iphoto. recently bought a new mac book air. now my iphoto library on the old mac book is gone!!!!

I have an old Mac book pro which had hundreds of photos in iphoto. recently bought a new mac book air. now my iphoto library on the old mac book is gone!!!!

now my iphoto library on the old mac book is gone!!!!
How did you search for the iPhoto Library?
What do you mean by "is gone"? Is the iPhoto Library missing from the Pictures folder? Or does iPhoto launch and show and empty library, and you assume, that the library is missing?
Which version of iPhoto is installed on your old Mac?
Search with Find Any File for iPhoto Libraries - download Find Any File here: The trial is free:
http://apps.tempel.org/FindAnyFile/index.htmlhttp://apps.tempel.org/FindAnyFile/index.php
You can search everywhere with FindAnyFile, where Spotlight will not search.
I learned this from Old Toad , see his post here:
Re: My iPhoto Library disappeared...how do I get it back?
Download and run Find Any File to search for a file with "ThumbJPGSegment" in the file name. These are files common to all versions of iPhoto libraries.
FAF can search areas that Spotlight can't like invisible folders, system folders and packages. If there's a library hiding somewhere on your hard drive FAF will find it.

I have 2 iphoto libraries but one is lost, missing, cannot seem to find it... tried an apple care person - they were no help - we use Time Machine for external backup... but cannot find my older iPhoto library! I desperately need some help!

I have recently had something really odd happen within iphoto. My photos from May-Oct 2013 appeared to be missing from my primary Iphoto library.
last night I was trying to find any additional Iphoto libraries on my Imac... I could not find them... but then somehow the May-Oct 2013 library showed up and now I cannot find the "current" primary Iphoto library. I sought help from apple care today but no solutoin from them after 2 hours trying. I have timemachine that backs up my Imac each day to an external hard drive. When I open Iphoto while holding down the "option" key - it lets me choose which Iphoto library... but only (1) library comes up... I can't figure out what happened - but it seems that I must have more than one Iphoto library because yesterday I was able to see all my photos except the "gap in dates" from May-Oct 2013. Today - I can only open a Library called Iphoto2014... and it contains the photos from the gap in dates. I can't "see" any other options to open photos... but just yesterday there appeared to be a different library available.
Any advice or steps i should take to locate my missing photos - would be soooooo much appreciated.

I have recently had something really odd happen within iphoto. My photos from May-Oct 2013 appeared to be missing from my primary Iphoto library.
last night I was trying to find any additional Iphoto libraries on my Imac... I could not find them... but then somehow the May-Oct 2013 library showed up and now I cannot find the "current" primary Iphoto library. I sought help from apple care today but no solutoin from them after 2 hours trying. I have timemachine that backs up my Imac each day to an external hard drive. When I open Iphoto while holding down the "option" key - it lets me choose which Iphoto library... but only (1) library comes up... I can't figure out what happened - but it seems that I must have more than one Iphoto library because yesterday I was able to see all my photos except the "gap in dates" from May-Oct 2013. Today - I can only open a Library called Iphoto2014... and it contains the photos from the gap in dates. I can't "see" any other options to open photos... but just yesterday there appeared to be a different library available.
Any advice or steps i should take to locate my missing photos - would be soooooo much appreciated.

Iphoto library missing

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