IPhoto Library's Lost All Photos

OS 10.4.10
Ibook G4
1.5 GB Ram
iPhoto 5.0.4
Hi,
My first time on iPhoto group.
I've been using iPhoto successfully since I got my mac, 2 years ago.
I may not be using many of the features available. I download digital
pictures, and I take pictures of web pictures with the key code ctrl/click >
Download to iPhoto.
Today I took a picture and got a couple of windows. I can't recreate them
now, but they said something like "Can't find iPhoto Library"
When I open the iPhoto application, none of some one hundred pictures show
up.
I recall starting a full backup to external HD, and learning the export
part of iPhoto. I did it. Then I had to stop the back up because I had to
do something that the backup interferred with. In an export, don't the
original pictures stay in the application?
I have some things in my Pictures folders. There are a few scatterred
pictures from my collection, but not the whole thing.
Where does "Export"export to?
I see now that many of my photos are scattered in my Pictures folders along
with my .pngs.
There are also lots of files that look like this <DSCF0001.jpg> but they
don't open. A window pops up that says
"Couldn't open the file. It may be corrupt or a file format that preview
doesn't recognize."
Of course, Iphoto doesn't open in Preview, does it?
I have a feeling I messed something up when I "exported".
Any way I can recreate my collection?
I know I've never gotten past just downloading the pictures and having all
of them remain on one iPhoto screen. I've never gotten into rolls or
libraries etc.
Thanks,
Rafael

Is there an item named "iPhoto Library.photo library" or similar in your "Pictures" folder, showing with an icon like a fan of pictures?
Or did you store your iPhoto Library in a different folder, perhaps on an external drive?
if you cannot find your iPhoto Library search for it with Find Any File, as described by Old Toad in this post:
Re: My iphoto library has disappeared. How do I find it?
Old ToadFeb 4, 2014 9:05 PM
Re: My iphoto library has disappeared. How do I find it?in response to onpurpose
Download and use Find Any File to search for a file named "iPhoto6.Library". It's a file unique to all iPhoto libraries.
FAF an search areas that Spotlight can't like invisible folders, packages and system files. If there's another iPhoto library hiding somewhere on your hard drive FAF will find it.
OT

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natasharileyparish:
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Do you Twango?
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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 (Right Click -> Show Package Contents) allowing it to overwrite the damaged file.
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IPhoto Library's Lost All Photos

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