Library Disappearred

I was re-partitioning my hard drive and somehow lost my iPhoto library. Here are the specifics:
I have 2 internal hard drives. One has 2 partitions, my system, apps, etc on one and just the system and some utilities on the second as an emergency bootable partition.. The second HD is all my media files (songs, photos, movies, etc.)
I have always had an external that I back up both internal HDs to, which I have never had any problems with.
Well, the smaller internal with my media on it got full and the larger one was barely being used, so I decided to re-partition the internals and move files around. My process was as follows: I repaired permissions and updated everything I could on the existing internals. Once that was dones I backed them all up to my external using SilverKeeper (Lacie software). When the back ups were done and good to go, I re-partitioned the internals and basically reversed the process.
When I was done, I noticed that my iPhoto library had disappearred. Unfortunately, I did not notice this until after I re-partitioned the internals and had lost the original.
2 Questions.
1) I think I know the sad answer, but I will ask anyway. Any ideas on how to restore the library, or at least recover the photos?? I am running Tech Tool data recovery know to see if it finds anything. I assume with the repartitioning and all, it is probably a lost cause.
2) For the future, any ideas what caused this?? I fear I have lost almost 10 years worth of family photos and would like to know what I can do to not have this happen again.
Thanks, Ben

Ben
Check out File Salvage, see if it can find anything - but it is a long shot.
What caused it? Well you obviously missed the iPhoto Library Folder in your backing up? Try a Spotlight search for
library6.iphoto
see if that finds anything. It's the main db file.
Regards
TD

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Josie
Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
1. Go to your Pictures Folder. In their is a folder called the iPhoto Library Folder. Inside it is a folder called Originals, and that contains Roll Folders. Your pics should be inside there.
That's: Pictures / iPhoto Library Folder / Originals / Rolls
So, first off, confirm that your photos are there.
2. Yes you do need to clear off disk space, and yes, your iPhoto files and any music you have a good candidates for moving to an external disk. You can purchase an external disk from the online apple Store (http//:www.apple.com/iestore is the Irish AppleStore) Look for the 'Storage' link on the left hand side. They'll ship it to you in three or four days (in my experience)
3. In the meantime, rebuilding your library will require disk space. It's not difficult, and doesn't take very long. If you have Firewire on the old Powerbook then here's what you do:
1. Turn Off the Old Powerbook. Connect it to the Macbook using a FireWire cable
2. Hold down the 'T' key and start the Powerbook. A Firewire symbol will appear on the screen, and the PB will turn up on your MacBook desktop, as an external disk.
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4. Confirm that your Pictures have crossed over safely. Then double check. And then check again, because...
5. Put the iPhoto Library Folder in the Pictures Folder of the MacBook into the trash and empty it. (Note: Be sure that your pics are on the old Powerbook!!!) (We have to trash the iPhoto Library Folder from the MacBook to make space for the rebuild.)
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Greetings from sunny Clare.
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