Photo GONE? grey exclamation point in iPhoto6

Okay...this is crap. Apparently if you do ANY EDITING to any picture whatsoever outside of iPhoto itself (this includes using things like Photoshop), EVEN IF ITS UNDER THE SAME EXACT NAME, for some reason, iPhoto can't retrieve the the actual file again and a big grey exclamation point appears in place of your photo.
yeah thanks apple. so much for "ease of use".
white macbook Mac OS X (10.4.8)
looking to get a macbook

iPhoto can handle many formats. The caveat is that the format not be changed. If you do, while going thru iPhoto to edit, create a layered or other type of edited file that requires the psd extension you need to do a Save As to the desktop and then import as a new file.
I've run some tests editing files in the Originals folder with Photoshop that I accessed outside iPhoto and did not get the "!".
Do any of those "!" files have the Revert to Original menu option available? If so activate it to get the original file back. I doubt if you'll find any but it's worth a try.
If you know which files they are and can find them via the Finder you can copy them to the desktop, delete them from within iPhoto as you normally would and then re-import from the Desktop.
Using 2 Image Editors in iPhoto
If you want to use both iPhoto's editing mode and Photoshop or Photoshop Elements without having to go back and forth to the Preference pane, once you've selected PE/PSE as your editor of choice, reset the Preferences back to "Open in main window". Then if you can Control-click on an image, the drop down menu will allow you to edit in your selected external editor.

Similar Messages

Emptying the trash can in iphoto causes the grey exclamation point.

Shortly after buying my new mac I made the cardinal error of manipulating some of my photos directly through finder, and ended up totally messing up my iphoto library. It's basically fine now, after much heartache - and I back up disc copies regularly and I also use time machine now. However, the other day I noticed there was a ridiculous amount of photos in my iphoto trash can - so I emptied the trash can in iphoto. I immediately got the grey exclamation point of death back in probably one third of my pictures. I restored the library from time machine, and the ex points went away, but does this mean that the link is bouncing THROUGH my trash can to get to the file? Is there any way for me to safely empty that trash can without having to once again rebuild my photo library?? (I'm a total shutterbug and don't want or need that hassle...)
I'm running the new iphoto 09 - but the problem was there before I installed the upgrade.
Something tells me OldToad is going to reply to this one... (At least I'm hoping...)
Thanks for any and all input.

Well hello, Old Toad, thought you might find us.
Terence, last night I backed up my library in time machine, emptied the trash can in iphoto (took five or six attempts, iphoto kept shutting down) and then rebuilt the library. Just an fyi, when I said ridiculous amount, I meant it - there are 26000 plus photos in my trash can. (I know why, but I think it's unimportant to this issue).
When I rebuilt it found 13000 plus photos to reinstate. I said ok, and around three hours later it was all said and done. No change, I still have the grey exclamation point of death on about a third of my photos in the events. The reinstated photos are all in an album, not an event - I can't seem to move them from the album into an event, and there aren't a lot of them there anyways that I'm all that attached to.
SO...
I restored the backup copy from time machine. Tonight, I will try OldToad's recommendation and try to put these photos back into their original homes, but with that many pics It may be Tuesday or so before you here back from me...
Wish me luck, thanks SO MUCH for the suggestions, and I'll keep you posted.

Red square with circle, grey exclamation point AND iTunes won't sinc new songs?

I have just upgraded my iPhone 4 to iOS 7.0.3 and for some reason my music on my phone will not play. Every song comes up with a red square with a red circle around it and simply will not play. Looking on iTunes now - every time I try to play a song a grey exclamation point with a grey circle pops up next to the song and again WILL NOT PLAY!
I've heard that it iTunes might be having trouble finding the source of the song (which its never had trouble doing before) so I deleted one song and tried to replace it back on there only to find that it is now not sincing new songs either! This new song is very light grey in colour and has the spotted circle next to it.
I don't even know where to start fixing these problems.
Additional Information:
I have my phone set up to Sinc only checked songs and videos.
I drag and drop my songs into the 'On this iPhone' heading rather than sicing the whole thing as I share this computer with my brother.
Am I going to have to downgrade my iOS back to what it was?
I really hope someone out there can help!

[[UPDATE]] SOLVED - I've restarted both my computer and my phone and tried to re-drop in that one song that was coming up light grey. It's now sinced and playing on Itunes and is the ONLY song on my phone. No more exclamation mark or red square.
Looks like I'm going to have to delete all the songs and replace them into my itunes.
*sigh*
Thank you Apple for this smooth, easy going update. Much appreciated.

Pics in iphoto are there but open as a grey exclamation point, help!

I impoted pictures from my other computer and it worked for a few months, then it would not open some pics. I can see them when i scroll over all thumbnails or when one picture is open and thumbnails are at the bottom, but when i click to open, the Grey Exclamation Point comes up! Any Help?

The ! turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.
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 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 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

Photos gone and Time Machine Backup does not work.

I did a rebuild of my thumbnails at iPhoto's suggestion, then left the room because it took too long. When I came back all the photos and albums etc were gone, not exclamation points but missing.
I thought iPhoto could not find the library so I tried the option + open and chose the proper library. Still opened to an empty library. According to the library file it was 102 GB in size but oddly had no information. I did not panic because I back up ALL the time. When I tried the TimeMachine backup (each of them back to March) they also said over 100GB but when I started to transfer them it totaled only 1019 MB and now I have exclamation points and no photos. So I need help getting back the photos. TimeMachine is the ONLY backup I have. Is this an iPhoto problem or a problem with TM? In older versions of iPhoto there was a folder of folders that had all my pictures by roll number did that change in this version, because I can't find that either? FYI all photos, and library, are (were) on an external drive.
Not gonna lie I am in a bit of a panic at this point. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I can clarify anything that does not make sense, I tried to keep the explanation as short as possible so people would read it!
Thanks in advance,
FatherTime

Do you still have your original library that started this problem? If so use Time Machine to bring forward the last backup before the problem happened. Do not replace the current library with the backup but select the option to keep both.
Open the recovered library and drag out the Library6.iPhoto file to the desktop and move the rest of the recovered library to the trash. Open your original library and replace the Library6.iPhoto with the file from the recovered library. See if iPhoto will open and recognize your photos now.
If you had any imports between the time of the last backup and your current library they will not be recognized in the library but will be inside the library non the less. You can find their event folder in the Originals folder, move it to the desktop to reimport.
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.

Exclamation point in iPhoto after transferring with Time Machine

Hi there -- I just got a new MacBook Pro, upgrading from a MacBook from 2008. On my old MacBook, I used Time Machine to back up my entire computer, including all my photos in iPhoto. On my old MacBook, all of my photos in iPhoto seem fine. However, I used Time Machine to set up my new MacBook Pro, but there is a big issue with the photos in iPhoto. When I first opened iPhoto on the MacBook Pro, it asked me if I wanted to upgrade my library or something like that. I said yes. Now, there appear to be tons of photos missing, particularly from recent "events." By missing, I mean that there is neither a thumbnail image, nor is there an actual photo when I click on it -- it's the black screen with the grey exclamation point. These seem to be scattered throughout many of my "events," however, with some events missing all the photos and other events missing photos seemingly at random.
I have seen other posts about holding down option and command while starting iPhoto and repairing/rebuilding the library. I have tried this and it didn't work. Because the photos all seem fine on my old MacBook, I'm guessing the best option is to just try to re-load my photos in some way from Time Machine. I have been unable to find a post, however, that explains how I can import just the photos from my Time Machine. There are hundreds of photos that seem to be affected and as I stated, they seem to be at random, so it's not as easy as just picking a few out.
Thanks so much for any help!!

The account name is shown in the left column of the info window. Click the + to add an account.
Try the troubleshooting steps under "Fix iWeb" here...
http://www.iwebformusicians.com/iWeb/iWeb-Tips.html

IPhoto restore all from within iPhoto gives many exclamation points

Started iPhoto Browse Backups and selected Restore All. The number of events and pictures soomed to match however when I select many random photos I get the large exclamation point. I have tried all of the recovery options in iPhoto plus iPhoto Library Manager. Did I put too much faith in Time Machine?

Trying to eliminate as many variables as possible: Trashed IPhoto library; created new blank library in its place; within new iPhoto used FILE > BROWSE BACKUPS >select date PHOTOS - RESTORE ALL. Restore of 63,939 photos took many hours. When I select most photos a large exclamation point shows. What is most troubling to me is that before my problems began I had 50 GB free on my HD but now I have 311 GB free.

When i enlarge photo (on some of my pictures) it quickly changes to a triangle with an exclamation point in the middle - how do I correct this problem?

It started a few days ago. I was looking through my photos. I could check them when they were smaller - as soon as I enlarged them - screen turned black, a grey triangle with an exclamation point appeared in the middle. It is not changing every picture - just some. How do I get rid of this problem? What caused this in the first place? Any help would be appreciated.

Try the following:
1 - launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys held down and rebuild the library.
2 - Run Option #4, Rebuild Database, followed by Option #1 if needed.
Happy Holidays

When I click on my uploaded photos a big box with an exclamation point pops up?

After loading my photos on Iphoto when I click the photo to try and view it larger or at all, a grey box with an exclamation point comes onto the screen. How do I view my photos?

The ! turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.
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 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 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

What is the grey triangle and exclamation point when trying to view pics in iPhoto?

having troubles with photoes that appear in iphoto as a thumnail but when selected a screen appears with a grey triangle and exclamation point !
what is this about?other photoes in the same album appear as they are selected!

This indicates a disconnect between the Thumbnail and the original
this can be caused by two things
1 - User action deleting items from inside the iPhoto library - can be directly - can be from the All images list (never delete from there) - can be from running cleanup software like MacKeeer, CleanMac2 or other dangerous, defective software that improperly deletes or changes things in the iPhoto library - if you have done any of these things you must restore your backup from before you did them and damaged your iPhoto library - and I recommend getting rid of any "clean up software" ASAP (although being essentially MalWear it is not easy)
2 - corruption of the iPhoto library - If it is not #1 then Back up your iPhoto library, Depress and hold the option (alt) and command keys and launch iPhoto - rebuild your database
LN

IPod exclamation point - HELP save 100's of photos

My iPod had been working for 3 months storing tunes and photos but now I just see the exclamation point. I can not view photos, or access them from my PC. I have tried the standard steps without success. The updater panel shows :
iPod updater 2006-01-10
Name: N/A
Serial #: shows correct serial number
Software version: 1.2 [needs update]
Capacity: N/A
the update button is grey and does not respond
the restore button is black but I do not want to lose my photos
Is there a way to recover ?
iPod 60GB Windows XP
iPod 60GB Windows XP
iPod 60GB Windows XP
iPod 60GB Windows XP

Does the iPod updater detect your iPod?
reply #2
the updater panel shows
iPod updater 2006-01-10
Name : N/A
Serial # : correct
Software vers : 1.2 (needs update)
capacity : N/A
the update button is grey and does not respond
the restore button is black but I do not want to lose my photos
Any chance of a rescue ?

Importing photos - exclamation point (!)

I've read several of the posts regarding "missing thumbnails" in an iPhoto library. My current library is fine. However, I just returned from a vacation and am trying to import my pictures and all of the new photos I am trying to add only show up as blank white boxes and when I double click on them I get the grey/black exclamation point. I tried to rebuild the library (chose the top 3 options) and still not working. Please help! Thanks.

Brandon
The ! or ? turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.
The most common cause of this is User Activity in the iPhoto Library Folder in the Finder.
Have you altered, moved or renamed anything in the iPhoto Library Folder?
If you haven't, then try rebuilding the database. Hold down the apple and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild.
You can also try to correct the File Permissions on the Library: Download BatchMod from
http://macchampion.com/arbysoft/
And apply it to the iPhoto Library Folder using the settings found here:
http://homepage.mac.com/toad.hall/.Pictures/Forum/BatChmod.png
(Credit to Old Toad for this one).
If that fails, you may have a damaged database file:
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 back.
3. If neither of these work then you'll need to create and populate a new library.
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

When I open Iphoto, I see all my photos for a second and then they disappear and only a white dotted box appears. Then I click on it and for photos is a triangle with an exclamation point. It doesn't happen to all but quite a lot. how to I get them back

When I open Iphoto, I see all my photos for a second and then they disappear and only a white dotted box appears. Then I click on it and for photos is a triangle with an exclamation point. It doesn't happen to all but quite a lot. how to I get them back

Have you recently deleted photos using the finder or run clean up software? Is so restore your backup
If not the backup your iPhoto Library and launch iPhoto while depressing the option and command keys. Rebuild your database
LN

When I click on a photo I see a yield sign with an exclamation point in it.

When I'm in an event I can see all my photos for that event, but when I open one of the photos I get an exclamation point in a yield sign shaped ICON. Is the photo damaged ? How do I repair this condition and how do I avoid it next time. Not all my photos have this problem, but the ones that do look like they are from the same import set. I know at one time they were OK.
Ward

Ward,
what is your iPhoto version?
The exclamation point shows that iPhoto has lost the connection between the thumbnails of your photos and the edited versions or original image files. You need to rebuild the iPhoto library and to reconnect the versions to the original image files. Try first, if the built-in first aid tools will help (launch iPhoto with the key combination ⌥⌘ held down to bring up the first-aid panel and try to rebuild the database.
iPhoto 6 and later: Rebuilding the iPhoto library
If that does not help, use iPhoto Library Manager: see Old Toad's Post here (Fix 2):
Re: iphoto crashed
Be sure to backup the iPhoto library before trying any rebuild options!
Regards
Léonie

Photo transfer and update from 5-year-old Macbook to new iMac using Time Machine resulted in half of 2014's photos being un-viewable (only a gray triangle with exclamation point shows). How do I fix it?

I turned on my new iMac for the first time today and set it up using a backup on Time Machine from my old Macbook, which is running OS X 10.9.5 and has iPhoto version 8.1.2. When I went to open iPhoto on the new computer, it said I had to update the photos to work with the new version. Now, my photos from part of July 26, 2014 and onwards do not show up in the new iPhoto. The albums and spaces for the photos are there, but only a gray triangle with exclamation point shows in their place. Every other photo from 2003 to half of July 26, 2014 appears to have updated without issue. None of the fixes/rebuilds I tried worked. When I open up TimeMachine, it has no backups that I can use for the new computer (perhaps, because I wanted to still have access to use my old backups for my old laptop so told it not to use them for the new computer). My most recent half a year's photos are the ones I need the most. How do I make them appear on my new iMac?

Do you still have the old Mac? Then check, if the iPhoto Library has the newer events from July 26 onwards.
If yes, copy the iPhoto library from the old Mac to the new mac by connecting both computers. And then try to upgrade the copied library.
If you no longer have access to the old mac, you could try to inherit the backup of the old Mac and try to restore the iPhoto Library from it.
See Pondini's FAQ: http://pondini.org/TM/B6.html

Photo GONE? grey exclamation point in iPhoto6

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