Old Toad - help with lost iPhoto Library

I posted in the iPhoto 06 board by mistake, I am actually running 08. I found the iPhoto library in Pictures, but it stopped in July 07, and I seem to have lost a year's worth of photos. Do you have any advice?

Miriam:
It may be that the photos are still there but that bunch has been lost from the database file. Try the three fixes below in order as needed:
1 - launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys depressed and follow the instructions to rebuild the library. Select all options.
2 - rebuild the library using iPhoto Library Manager as follows:
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 User/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: It may take some time to create the new library if you have a lot of photos.
3 - start over with a new library and import the Originals folder from your original library as follows:
Creating a new library while preserving the Events from the original library.
Move the existing library folder to the desktop.
Open the library package like this.
Launch iPhoto and, when asked, select the option to create a new library.
Drag the Originals folder from the iPhoto Library on the desktop into the open Photo window
This will create a new library with the same Events as the original library if you have the Finder checkbox unchecked in the Events preference pane.
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto (iPhoto.Library for iPhoto 5 and earlier) 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 or later), 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 6 and 7 libraries and Tiger and Leopard. 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.≤br>
Note: There now an Automator backup application for iPhoto 5 that will work with Tiger or Leopard.

Similar Messages

Screensaver configuration problem with lost iPhoto library

Hi, I justed switched my macbook and I used to have another iPhoto library in an external HD that is now gone. I cannot configure the screensaver, I think it searches for my lost iPhoto library and cannot select my current pictures. Can someone help me with this problem? Thanks.

If the rebuild doesn't help try Fix 101: make a temporary, backup copy of the library if you don't already have a backup copy and try the following:
1 - delete the iPhoto preference file, com.apple.iPhoto.plist, that resides in your
User/Home()/Library/ Preferences folder.
2 - delete iPhoto's cache file, Cache.db, that is located in your
User/Home()/Library/Caches/com.apple.iPhoto folder.
3 - launch iPhoto and try again.
NOTE: If you're moved your library from its default location in your Home/Pictures folder you will have to point iPhoto to its new location when you next open iPhoto by holding down the Option key when launching iPhoto. You'll also have to reset the iPhoto's various preferences.
OT

Help with 'unlocking' iPhoto Library! SO LOST!

I was a PC user all my life and recently I decided to switch to Mac. I'm still figuring things out and for the most part I've got the hang of it, with one exception...iPhoto. I'm not having problems with iPhoto or using it for that matter, my problem is this; I want to be able to upload photos using Facebooks photo uploader instead of having to upload the entire album using the iPhoto uploader. My next problem is that I just purchased Pixelmator and it won't let me open photos from my iPhoto library. The only photos I can access are the ones from Photo Booth. So, how do I 'unlock' my iPhoto library so that I can actually access my photos? HELP!!!

To up load selected photos to Facebook (or any other supported service) select the photo(s) and click on the service name in the tool bar - it will create an album in the source pane on the left and up load to the selected service. Any changes made to the album on the service or in iPhoto will be synced so they always stay the same
TO access your photos in any open/attach window look in the lower left hand corner under media ==> photos ==> iPhoto (*the media browser) - click here for a discussion on the many correct and safe ways to access your iPhoto library photos.
and it would be a worthwhile investment of time to take the iphoto tutorials - http://www.apple.com/findouthow/photos/ - they are very helpful and will save you a lot of time and frustration.
LN

Upgrading to iPhoto '08 - what's going wrong with my iphoto Library

Hi,
I would appreciate your advice/knowledge on this problem.
==> Short Description of my problem:
I can't recover the keywords associated with my pictures. I am asked to import my pictures although I choose to open my previous iPhoto Library after converting to iPhoto 08.
==> What I did:
1. I recently upgraded my mac to Leopard, and then to iPhoto'08. When opening for the 1st time iPhoto '08, I selected my iPhoto Library (as I held the option key while opening iPhoto).
2. I then get the message: “The photo library needs to be upgraded to work with this version of iPhoto. Your photo library will not be readable by previous versions of iPhoto after the upgrade. The upgrade process may take several minutes depending on the number of photos in the library.” I clicked on the "Upgrade" button
3. My Mac then loaded/created ALL my previous albums and smart albums (including the most recent ones). It loaded pictures up to April 2005. BUT then, it prompted me with the following message : "5584 photos have been found in the iPhoto Library that are not a part of this photo library. Would you like to import them?". I was surprised to get this message, as I read that the upgrade should run smoothly.
4. I made two tests, following this prompt. First, I answered "YES". I ended with a 24.5 GB iPhoto Library (instead of my previous 12.64 GB library). Then, while repeating steps 2&3, I answered No. I then decided to import manually my missing pictures, and ended up with a 14,4 GB (surprisingly, I got events called originals that contained same pictures than other created events). I have repeated the steps 2 to 4 from a new user account, but got the same results.
5. None of these solutions are satisfactory as I had assigned keywords to my 5000+ photo. What is going wrong? Here is the content of my iPhoto Library (before conversion), if this is of any help:
In my iPhoto Library Oct 23, 2007:
folder 2000 Oct 18, 2007
folder 2004 Feb 13, 2005
folder 2005 Jan 29, 2006
folder 2006 Jan 7, 2007
folder 2007 Oct 23, 2007
AlbumData.xml Apr 17, 2005
folder Album Nov 11, 2007
Dir.data Apr 9, 2005
iPod Photo cache Nov 11, 2006
iPhoto.db Apr 17, 2005
Library.iPhoto Apr 9, 2005
Thumb32.data Apr 9, 2005
Thumb64.data Apr 9, 2005
ThumbJPG Apr 9, 2005
This library is an external-drive backup copy of my HD photo library (that no longer exists).
==> What to do next?
1. How to check if my keywords information is still present in my original iPhoto library? Is there any solution to get back my photo with their keywords?
2. Manage my iPhoto library with a smaller quantity of pictures, to ease backup and conversion. I have understood that iPhoto Libray Manager is a convenient free software to merge/de-merge libraries. Is that correct?
Thanks for your help,
Nicolas

NicoSou
This sounds to me like your v5 library is corrupted.
Try using the rebuild command from iPhoto Library Manager to recreate the library - it won't get everything, but should get albums and keywords. Read the iPhoto Library Manager Help for more details.
Regards
TD

How do i launch iphoto on an external drive with my iphoto library already on it, how do i launch iphoto on an external drive with my iphoto library already on it

how do i launch iphoto on an external drive with my iphoto library already on it, how do i launch iphoto on an external drive with my iphoto library already on it

If you start iPhoto while holding down the option key you will get the library choice window.
From here you can select the library on the external drive and have iPhoto open it.

Help with lost Droid MAXX. Lost it a week ago while I had it turned off, I cannot track it until it is turned on. Is there anyway to remotely turn on the device?

Help with lost Droid MAXX. Lost it a week ago while I had it turned off, I cannot track it until it is turned on. Is there anyway to remotely turn on the device?

Have you tried randomly using Google - Device Manager? Though it will not track the Droid Maxx when it's turned off. It will show the last time the phone was turned on. To see if that coincides with the last time you had the phone on.

Help to restore iPhoto Library from TM backup

I use an external hard drive to store my iPhoto Library which was manually added to my Time Machine backup as my iMac internal hard drive is insufficient to store all my media.
I set up Time Machine to back up both the iMac and the 1TB external drive to a second 3TB external drive. Now that the 1TB drive with my iPhoto Library has failed, I seem to be having problems restoring all the media from 2TB drive. This is because the Time Capsule interface is designed to display finder windows at various points in time so you can go back to when your missing files existed and restore them.
The problem is that I need the entire contents of the dead 1TB drive restored to a new drive. When I open the 3TB drive in a Finder window I can clearly see that it has backups of the 1TB drive, but they are spread out among different folder snapshots of various dates.
How can I use Time Machine to restore the entire contents of the dead 1TB external drive from the 3TB TM backup to a new external drive?

To restore the dead drive from your Time Machine backup use Pondini's FAQ, that Larry pointed to - a combination of the entries 17 and 16.
You need first to open the backup in Time Machine, as described in item 17. " How can I see my backups, or the Backups for a different Mac? http://pondini.org/TM/17.html ", and then restore to the new drive, using the procedure "16. How can I restore a file/folder to an alternate location? http://pondini.org/TM/16.html"

How can I retrieve old Photo Stream photos from a lost iPhoto Library?

My laptop was stolen and with it an external drive that had my iPhoto library. I had an old backup and when I opened the backup and turned on Photo Stream, I saw all my old photos appear again! After a short while, it was removing old photos from the photostream and replacing them with newer ones. I'm now missing months of Photo Stream photos that I really want back. I tried creating a new library and enabling Photo Stream to try to capture those missing images, but I am not able to see anything older than Oct. I could really use some help if somebody knows a way to get those memories back...
Thanks
-Rob

I had an old backup
What kind of backup? Do you have a Time Machine Backup of your complete system from the time before the laptop was stolen?
To restore the Photo Stream images from that time you need to restore the folder
your home folder /Library/Application Support/iLifeAssetManagement/Assets
This folder contains the PhotoStream pictures that were part of the PhotoStream at that time.
To restore this folder from TimeMachine, open a Finder window showing this folder, make it the active window, and then enter TimeMachine. Go back in time in the TimeTunnel, till you see the correct date. Don't restore to the library but to a folder on the Desktop.
Regards
Léonie

Problems with copying iPhoto library onto new hard drive from external HELP

I had to get a new hard drive installed onto my MacBook Pro, but was able to copy my iPhoto library onto my external hard drive via another computer before the old hard drive failed. Now, I am trying to copy that library back onto my MacBook.
After I copied the library onto the MacBook, when iPhoto was opened, it showed no photos but I could see album titles. Then when I opened iPhoto while holding down the option key, it was all clumped into one event and not nearly all of the photos were there. Also, I have right-clicked on the library to see package contents and everything seems to be there, but I don't know how to make it all show up in the library.
I've downloaded iPhoto Library Manager because I thought that might help (but haven't used it yet -- don't know how) and I just need some help to recover my iPhoto library... and is there a way to restore all the separate events imported and time/date stamps, in order to get all the photos in chronological order?

Should I just go through the iPhoto Library package contents and drag every folder into iPhoto?
No. That will get you massive duplication.
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 (Right Click -> Show Package Contents) 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 *iPhoto 08* 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.
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

Help with Sharing iPhoto 9.5.1 library between users on same computer

Hi,
I have upgraded operating systems to Maverick on my macbookpro which also upgraded iphoto to 9.5.1. Previously in IPhoto I could choose to share the library in each of three user accounts. The third account was used only for gathering photos to make books, calendars etc. There does not appear to be a way to do this now. How do I share libraries on the same computer without creating a library on a separate device?
So frustrating....I was right in the middle of creating a book.
Thanks for any help.

That particular feature has been discontinued with iPhoto 9.5.1. However, you can use iCloud to share photos via Shared Photo Streams. Each user account will need their own iCloud account and each user can create Shared Photo Streams to be shared with the other accounts. The photos in the SFSs can be downloaded by any account with access to the stream.
Anbother option would be to create a Dropbox account and when the 2 accouts come across photos to be used in a project they can export the original file to the Dropbox in the account so they can be downloaded into the 3rd account and imported into the project library.
If you have an external HD you could put the project library on it and access it from each of the other 2 accounts. Project photos could be added to that library directly by the other 2 accounts by exporting to the desktop and importing into the projects library with an easy library switch. Or one can use the paid version of iPhoto Library Manager to copy selected albums between libraries.
OT

Help! I can't sync my phone with new iPhoto library

I recently split my iPhoto library into two separate libraries to save space on my hard drive. One is now on an external drive and the one that I want to sync with my iPhone is on my hard drive. Now when I try to save the iPhone and asks me to choose a library but won't allow me to choose the new library I created. the library is located in my pictures folder. Is there something I'm doing wrong?

Version 11.1.5.5 of iTunes was just released today. If you update to that, does that help with the recognition troubles?
http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

Restore lost iphoto library (iphoto v.8)

Hi, I was making an iMovie and when I hooked up my DV camera it would not load the camera and an error came up and said you should put away in finder or data will be lost. Well I thought that was the camera not my external hard drive. The cables are next to each other and when I unplugged the Hard Drive LaCie Hard drive d2 Quadra, then my camera was found. So I proceeded to install the video. After I finished I went back to the photo library part of the iMovie and all the pictures were missing. I could not save the new stuff I did on iMovie. When I went into the iphoto library on my hard drive all 4,000 pictures where gone...So my question is can I retrieve my photos? Are they on that hard drive somewhere and I'm not seeing them. Time machine does not have them. Please help?
Thanks,
Fam5

Fam5:
What has happened is the library's database file, Library6.iPhoto was damaged when the external HD was disconnected. If you have a backup copy of the library or the dB file that's current, i.e. no imports or major changes to the library since the copy was made you can replace the dB file in your working library with the backup copy.
If you don't have a backup copy you have two possible fixes to try:
1 - 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.
2 - if #1 didn't do the trick you'll have to start over with a new library and import the Originals folder from the old one as follows:
Creating a new library while preserving the Events from the original library.
Move the existing library folder to the desktop.
Open the library package like this.
Launch iPhoto and, when asked, select the option to create a new library.
Drag the Originals folder from the iPhoto Library on the desktop into the open iPhoto window.
This will create a new library with the same Events as the original library if you have the Finder checkbox unchecked in the Events preference pane.
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 and Leopard. 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.

Restore lost iphoto library

Hi, I was making an iMovie and when I hooked up my DV camera it would not load the camera and an error came up and said you should put away in finder or data will be lost. Well I thought that was the camera not my external hard drive. The cables are next to each other and when I unplugged the Hard Drive LaCie Hard drive d2 Quadra, then my camera was found. So I proceeded to install the video. After I finished I went back to the photo library part of the iMovie and all the pictures were missing. I could not save the new stuff I did on iMovie. When I went into the iphoto library on my hard drive all 4,000 pictures where gone...So my question is can I retrieve my photos? Are they on that hard drive somewhere and I'm not seeing them. Time machine does not have them. Please help?
Thanks,
Fam5

I tried both the last two posts and the finder image search did nothing. Niel's advice was good but it only turned up the current iphoto that I have started to fill with what little pictures I did back up before I installed the new ilife. only 555 pictures verse the 4000 I lost. Any other ideas out there?
Fam5

Help! Whole Iphoto library is gone.

So I have been having a few problems with the computer shutting down lately but I haven't noticed any major problems when rebooting. But then I went to open iPhoto and my entire library is gone. When I go into finder they are all still in folders under the iPhoto library but when I try to resync the folders to the iPhoto library while the application is open but it won't let me. I tried syncing a new set of pictures and it worked and saved to iPhoto but those are the only pictures that show when I open the application please help!!!

Your database has been corrupted.
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 *iPhoto 6* 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

Lost iphoto library/program

When I tried to activate my iphoto app today I got a msg box asking what photo library I wanted to use. I can't seem to move from that and the Iphoto menu bar is pretty much greyed out. No matter what I do I can't find my library/program which always opened automatically when I clicked on the icon. I put in a camera memory chip to try seeing if I could activate that way. Same result. I use the program almost daily and have about 7K photos stored. Hope someone can help me...please.

Option 1
Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the apple and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Rebuild iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup.
If that fails:
Option 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, 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

Old Toad - help with lost iPhoto Library

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for