Iphoto says my library has become unreadable

i was importing and editing pictures tonight, and all of a sudden my library won't open and I get a screen that says my library is in use  by another application, or has become unreadable. i tried shutting down and restarting, and restarting pressing option and command and got nothing. help!

It would help if you provided details like version of iPhot and of the OS
a general answer is to rebuild your database = Back up your iPhoto library, Depress and hold the option (alt) and command keys and launch iPhoto - rebuild your iPhoto library database from the resultion first aid window
If that does not resolve things download iPhoto Library Manager - http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/ -  and use it rebuild command
LN

Similar Messages

  • My iphoto library has become unreadable. I am wondering if I shoudl delete iphoto and reinstall? Can I download iphoto from the web? I bought my computer in February of this year. Do I have to buy a new copy of iphoto?

    My iphoto library has become unreadable. I am wondering if I shoudl delete iphoto and reinstall? Can I download iphoto from the web? I bought my computer in February of this year. Do I have to buy a new copy?

    It's probably the library that's the prolem and not the application. Try this:  launch iPhoto with the Option key held down and create a new, test library.  Import some photos and check to see if the same problem persists. If you can create and open a new library then your existing library is damaged.
    If that's the case, Make a temporary, backup copy (if you don't already have a backup copy) of the library and apply the two fixes below in order as needed:
    Fix #1
    Launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys held down and rebuild the library.
    Select the options identified in the screenshot. 
    Fix #2
    Using iPhoto Library Manager  to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
    Download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
    Click on the Add Library button, navigate to your Home/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.
    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

  • When I tried to access iphoto today I got a "being used by another application or your library has become unreadable" anyone know what I can do about this?

    when I tried to access iphoto today, I got a "being used by another application or library has become unreadable" anyone know how I can fix this?

    What version of iPhoto and of the OS
    Back up your iPhoto library, Depress and hold the option (alt) and command keys and launch iPhoto - rebuild your iPhoto library database
    LN

  • User 2 photo library has become unreadable

    I am the adminstrator of our iMac. My wife is the other user and when she tries to access her photo library a message appears: "photo library has become unreadable .." Does anyone know how to resolve this?

    There are 9 different versions of iPhoto and they run on 9 different versions of the Operating System. The tricks and tips for dealing with issues vary depending on the version of iPhoto and the version of the OS. So to get help you need to give as much information as you can. Include things like:
    - What version of iPhoto.
    - What version of the Operating System.
    - Details. As full a description of the problem as you can. For example, if you have a problem with exporting, then explain by describing how you are trying to export, and so on.
    - History: Is this going on long? Has anything been installed or deleted? - Are there error messages?
    - What steps have you tried already to solve the issue.
    - Anything unusual about your set up? Or how you use iPhoto?
    Anything else you can think of that might help someone understand the problem you have.

  • Photo library has become unreadable

    I recently upgraded my Mac to OS-X 10.9.4. When opening Iphoto, I now get the message that photo library is in use by another program, or has become unreadable. I tried to rebuild the library, doesn't work. I have tried to install previous version of Iphoto via Time Machine, and I still get the same message. How do I get my photos back?

    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.

  • How do i retrieve photos from my iPhoto when the program has become unreadable?

    Its a 9.3.2 verson of iPhoto and has suddenly become unreadable.
    I am unable to open the program, so i cannot retrieve all my photos off it!
    please help!!!!

    what happens? What version of the OS?
    Back up your iPhoto library, Depress and hold the option (alt) and command keys and launch iPhoto - rebuild your database
    LN

  • IPhoto library has become unreadable (again!)....

    I have a very large iPhoto library containing everything I ever photographed since 2000
    It worked perfectly until I was away in February when it crashed (became unreadable) while I was editing new photos - I panicked thinking I had lost everything and then read as much as my small brain could understand about how to fix it and only lost a couple of photos in the repair.
    Since then, iPhoto has worked perfectly again although I tend not to shut it or the MacBook down as often.
    Last night, editing new photos, it became unreadable again.
    I now have the old old library stored on a small hard drive, the new old library on another, time machine backed up on another and a big new LaCie 3tb external hard drive which only has the photo library on it (bar the very recent photos which are still on my camera card)
    I am not technical enough to understand why my library keeps having a problem or what to do about fixing it properly and I am struggling to know how to manage it all
    What I really want to do (I think) is store my iPhoto library permanently on the external drive as it has considerably more capacity than my MacBook but also be able to access the more recent photos just on the MacBook - is this possible?
    How should I fix my library and sort this mess out?
    Step by step info and assume I know less than a 3 year old about it please - also I have aperture on my MacBook could this be part of the problem?
    Thanks in advance - v frustrated at my lack of knowledge!!
    Ps I have read the forums but I don't understand most of it! I need an idiots guide...
    MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)
    I have 44.29GB of space left on my hard drive (242.something maximum)
    iPhoto version is 9.4.3

    28k isn't a big library these days. My main library is coming up on twice that and we see reports on here from people with libraries in excess of 100k. The capacity of an iPhoto 11 library is 1,000,000, earlier versions are good for 250,000.
    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

  • Help...iPhoto library has become unreadable

    i am getting this message when i try to open my iphoto library. it is on an external hard drive. my girls were downloading movies on the computer and said it froze. we unplugged everything and fired it back up again. everything seemed to be working except we can no longer open iphoto... help.

    Back up your iPhoto library, Depress and hold the option (alt) and command keys and launch iPhoto - rebuild your iPhoto library database
    LN

  • When I start my iPhoto it says: "Your photo library is either in use by another application or has become unreadable". I don't have a back-up of my library and I don't know what to do! Thanks

    When I start my iPhoto it says: "Your photo library is either in use by another application or has become unreadable". I don't have a back-up of my library and I don't know what to do! Thanks

    Try to restart your Mac. If the library is really in use by another application, that can clear it.
    Tell us more about your system. Which version of iPhoto are you using? Which version of MacOS X?
    Where are you storing your iPhoto Library?
    What happened before this problem first started? Did iPhoto crash? Did you move the iPhoto Library somewhere else?
    Try Terence Devlin's fix here:   Re: IPHOTO LOCKED
    Go to your Pictures Folder and find the iPhoto Library there. Right (or Control-) Click on the icon and select 'Show Package Contents'. A finder window will open with the Library exposed.
    Look there for a file called ‘iPhoto’Lock.data or similar. Drag it to the Desktop. Make no other changes. Start iPhoto. Does that help?

  • I was editing photos in my iphotos and it says Your photo library is either in use by another application or has become unreadable on me.  I shut down my computer and when I restarted I can not access my photos, it keeps giving me

    I was editing photos in my iphotos and it froze on me.  So I shut down my computer and when I restarted I now can not access them.  It says Your photo library is either in use by another application or has become unreadable.  What can I do to fix this?

    What you're describing is the Finder window for your external hard drive.  When you're in iPhoto and try to edit a photo what happens?
    Are you saying that the photos for your iPhoto library are located on the external HD while your library is in the Pictures folder on the boot drive? That would indicate a referenced library.  You can check to see if you're running a referenced library by checking the Advanced Preference pane in iPhoto:
    Click to view full size
    So based one the Advanced preference pane in iPhoto what type of library are you running. Where is the library itself located?  It should look like this:
    By default it should be located in your Users/Home/Pictures folder. However, it could be run on an external HD.

  • When I open iphoto I get an error message that says Your photo library is either in use by another application or has become unreadable,

    when I open iphoto I get an error message that says Your photo library is either in use by another application or has become unreadable, I have tried restarting computer and opening iphoto whilst holding down option and command key, but then I get the following message-Your photo library is damaged or unreadable and cannot be opened. Please restore from a backup.  Please can anyone help?

    Make a back up now. If you have any vaule in Your photos always have a back up.
    Most Simple Back Up
    Drag the iPhoto Library from your Pictures Folder to another Disk. This will make a copy on that disk.
    Slightly more complex:
    Use an app that will do incremental back ups. This is a very good way to work. The first time you run the back up the app will make a complete copy of the Library. Thereafter it will update the back up with the changes you have made. That makes subsequent back ups much faster. Many of these apps also have scheduling capabilities: So set it up and it will do the back up automatically. Examples of such apps: Chronosync or DejaVu . But are many others. Search on MacUpdate
    In Library Manager the Rebuild command is under the File menu. There's also an excellent Help available.
    Regards
    TD

  • I have my iPhoto set to an external drive yesterday when it was in use the usb disconnected i now have a message saying (your photo library is either in use by another application or has become unreadable) I have tried shutting down and restarting.

    I have my iPhoto set to an external drive, when it was in use the usb disconected as i was moving my mac air, when i re-conected a message said (your photo library is either in use by another application or has become unreadable).
    I have tried shutting it down and then re opening iPhoto but get the same message.
    The reason for the external drive was there was not enough room on my hard drive, I have around 7000 photos on it.
    is there a simple fix?
    Regards
    Dale

    These are your options:
    1. Restore the iPhoto library from the most recent backup that predates the issue.
              Advantages: Always works, if library damage is causing the problem and the backup is intact.
              Disadvantages: Impossible if you don't have a backup. All changes made since the backup are lost.
    2. Repair or rebuild the library. Be sure to back it up first.
              Advantages: May solve the problem with no loss of data.
              Disadvantages: May fail. May take a long time if the library is large.
    3. Scavenge the library with a third-party application called "iPhoto Library Manager," which you can find in a web search. From the application's menu bar (not the iPhoto menu bar), select Library ▹ Rebuild.
              Advantages: All images and albums should be preserved.
              Disadvantages: All books, calendars, and slideshows will be lost.

  • All my photo's are missing from iPhoto and I'm getting a message "your photo library is either in use by another application or has become unreadable"

    Yesterday when I opened iPhoto all of my photo's were missing.  After many hours of frustrating time looking how to resolve, I decided to try again this morning.  When I tried to open iphoto, I got the message I referenced above regarding the library is either in use or has become unreadable.
    My photos are not in iPhoto anymore.  There's nothing there.  iphoto acts like its never even been set up.    I have iPhoto '11 version 9.4.3. I have OS X Lion version 10.7.5.  However, when I go to "All My Files" and then under "images", there are over 10,000 images.  I see my photos (I guess it's all of them - i have no idea how many there were) and other "images" also.  When i go to "pictures" I only see the 15 or so items I have scanned.  In "iPhoto Library", there is 1 picture of what looks like a deck of playing cards with flowers on them - I don't know where that came from.  But also in "iPhoto Library"  under the heading "desktop", it shows a size of over 27GB and under "kind" it says "package".  Still under desktop and "Photo Booth Library" it shows 53GB and under "kind" it says "Photo Booth Library".  Before I opened iPhoto to view my photo's, I went to "empty trash" yesterday (not in iPhoto) and it showed over 65,000 items to delete.  There were no more than 200 that I could actually see.  So, I don't understand.  I let it delete a couple of thousand before I stopped it because I didn't know what it was doing.  I know - not too smart.  I don't know if that has anything to do with iPhoto or not; I'm just throwing that out there.  Today I went to "empty trash" and it now shows the 200 items that I can see in there.  Don't know what happened.
    I do have a time capsule but not sure if I’m using it correctly. If you were to tell me to restore to a certain point, I’d have to be walked thru the process.
    I downloaded “iPhoto Library Manager”, not exactly sure how to use it, but got a message basically saying the library nor the database could be loaded and that album data file for the library “iPhoto Library” could not be read.
    I’ve spent hours and hours and hours searching the web for answers but I’m scared to do much of anything thinking I could end up losing all my photos if I haven’t already.
    Please help!
    Thank you!
    James

    Apply the two fixes below in order as needed:
    Fix #1
    Launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys held down and rebuild the library.
    Since only one option can be run at a time start
    with Option #4 and then #1 as needed.
    Fix #2
    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 Home/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.  However, books, calendars, cards and slideshows will be lost. The original library will be left untouched for further attempts at fixing the problem or in case the rebuilt library is not satisfactory.
    OT

  • How do I restore my iPhoto. When I open i get a window dialog "Your iphoto library is either in use by another application or has become unreadable shut down and restart your computer. If problem persists, try rebuilding your iphoto library. To do th

    When I try to open iPhoto I get a window dialog that says...
    Your photo library is either in use by another application or has become unreadable
    Shut down and restart your computer, and then open iPhoto again. If the problem persists, try rebuilding your photo library. To do this, quit iPhoto, and then reopen it while keeping the Option and Command keys pressed. You can also try restoring your photo library from a backup.
    I have tried the reopen it while keeping the Option and Command keyes pressed.
    No change.
    I dee nothing but a blank page,
    Any help would be appreciated.
    Also hace back ups of all images on cd's. dvds and jump drives.
    Any advice is appreciated.

    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

  • HT2638 My iPhoto says it is in use by another application or has become unreadable. Nothing I have done is working?

    My iPhoto says it is in use by another application or has become unreadable. Nothing I have done is working? I've tried restarting my compuer, holding down the command and option keys as I open it and have tried downloading another version of the iPhoto..

    See if you can do the following:
    Using iPhoto Library Manager  to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
    Download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
    Click on the Add Library button, 
    navigate to your Home/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 Library ➙ 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.
    Note: This creates a new library based on the LIbraryData.xml file in the library and will recover Events, Albums, keywords, titles and comments. However, books, calendars, cards and slideshows will be lost.
    Note:  your current library will be left untouched for further attempts at a fix if so desired.
    OT

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