Photo could not be opened, because the original item cannot be found

I've drawn a blank. This error message gets touched on in places, but I cannot find a direct answer.
I have never used iPhoto.
After installing and without changing any settings, I got to import folder.
I select my photos folder and begin to import all my photos.
Every single photo of the 3500+ pops up the error:
"The photo "xxx.jpg" could not be opened, because the original item cannot be found"
And I have to press Cancel (and then it imports it anyway) for each of the 3500+ photos.
What is going on?
I need to employ a chimp to press Cancel thousands of times...
I have not imported, deleted, moved or done anything. Apart from install iPhoto and then IMPORT.
TIA

Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
Try this
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.
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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