Photo library not opening in iPhoto any longer
Hello,
I was in my iPhoto software today importing new photos but all of the sudden my iPhoto said that it could not access my library any longer. So I tried to repair the permissions but it did not work at all. I can see my library is like 220 GB big so there is definitely something in it but it will just not open itself.
Please help if you have any idea as I do not have these pictures anywhere else and I would hate to loose like 65,000 pics because of this. I had a similar issue with iTunes and it took me like 3 days to fix as I had to recreate all my playlists and reimport each song in each playlists. Such a hassle. I sure hope this will not happen to me.
Thanks in advance.
what version of iPhoto?
as to losing photos - do you have a backup ? If you do then you are safe - if you do not then you are 100% guaranteed to lose your photos and everything else sooner or later - things fail and with no backup you lose things when failures occur
what changed just before this occurred? Why can't you access your library? What does happen? What messages do you get?
LN
Similar Messages
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Some photos will not open in Iphoto
Since updating to Mountain Lion, I find a few thumbnails will not open for edit or export in Iphoto. I just get an icon and a message that the original is missing or corrupt. What can I do?
The ! turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.
What version of iPhoto? Assuming 09 or later...
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 Library Manager it's the FIle -> Rebuild command)
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 -
Photo will not open in iPhoto even though I have thumbnails.
Screen goes blank with a large '!' in it...... Can not get file to open at all
Can anyone helpThe ! turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.
What version of iPhoto? Assuming 09 or later:
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 -
Library not opening in iPhoto '11
I recently "upgraded" to iPhoto '11, but when I tried to open my library, it gave me an error message. Sorry I don't have the quote of the exact message, but it was something to the effect of "I can't read this old library, but I can upgrade it for ya" and then it tried to upgrade it, but it told me "no, actually this library is broken, I can't upgrade a broken library".
So I then "downgraded" back to iPhoto '09 via Time Machine, and it still wouldn't open. But when I restored the library from a day-old version via Time Machine its back to working fine.
I was reading some older discussion here from folks with similar problems, and it looks like I might be missing some data files? If so, how do I fix it?Sorry, what I've done so far is basically as described in my first email, with the addition of rebuilding using the feature within iPhoto and using iPhoto Library Manager. I have two separate iPhoto Libraries, and the exact same problem is happening for both.
It looks like my problem is similar to what the guy on this thread is dealing with:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2642315?threadID=2642315&tstart=0
I am in the same boat as Big McAl. I seem to be missing some data files in the library. This is the case for both of my original libraries, and the rebuilt version (only bothered to rebuild one of them). -
Just up graded my iMac to OS X Maverick after saving all file on external drive.
HELP: Can not open my iPHOTO Library file because previous iPhoto application
is no longer available.
What to do? If I need new application, which is the best ?Have you upgraded iPhoto to the current version (9.5.1)?
Have you failed to allow your previous iPhoto library to be upgraded?
Have you tried holding the "option" key while opening iPhoto to point to your iPhoto library? -
I have a MacBook Pro OS X 10.9.3. My IPhoto is version 9.5.1 (902.17). I just updated all available software on the computer and still could not open IPhoto.
Message states " IPhoto needs a photo library to open. Select from list, find another library or create new library you can import photos to later. Same photo library will be used next time you open IPhoto." I don't really want to do any of this. I just want to be able to open IPhoto as I always have and just did a couple days ago. Don't know why this is happening all of a sudden. Please advice. Thank you." IPhoto needs a photo library to open. Select from list, find another library or create new library you can import photos to later. Same photo library will be used next time you open IPhoto."
This means, that iPhoto cannot find your iPhoto library. You need to point iPhoto to the location of the library. Have you checked in the fInder, if your iPhoto library is still where it is supposed to be by default, in the Pictures folder, and called iPhoto Library.photolibrary? Or have you moved your library somewhere else and renamed it?
I just updated all available software on the computer and still could not open IPhoto.
Did you just update iPhoto to a newer version? What was the previous version? -
I just installed Yosemite. iPhoto is gone, and Photos does not open. Instead, I am prompted to update to the latest version. The App Store tells me that is not available in the US. What do I do? Cannot access any photos.
Reinstalling OS X Without Erasing the Drive
Boot to the Recovery HD: Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
Reinstalling OS X Without Erasing the Drive
Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions: Upon startup select Disk Utility from the main menu. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions as follows.
When the recovery menu appears select Disk Utility and press the Continue button. After Disk Utility loads select the Macintosh HD entry from the the left side list. Click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If Disk Utility reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit Disk Utility and return to the main menu.
Reinstall OS X: Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Continue button.
Download and install the OS X Yosemite 10.10.3 Combo Update.
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.
Alternatively, see:
Reinstall OS X Without Erasing the Drive
Choose the version you have installed now:
OS X Yosemite- Reinstall OS X
OS X Mavericks- Reinstall OS X
OS X Mountain Lion- Reinstall OS X
OS X Lion- Reinstall Mac OS X
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet
if possible because it is three times faster than wireless. -
Photo does not open in Photoshop as before from Iphoto
I have a large library with approx 9700 pics. In the past, I was able to double click on a photo in Iphoto and it would open Photoshop CS (PS). PS opens but the chosen photo does not open. I have also noticed that all of the albums in Iphoto are not seen in the PS file browser and that the photos are in numbered folders that I did not create.
thanks for any help.
joel wilmanHi jwilman,
To answer your first question:
You must have done an Archive and Install and the Scripting folder for PS did not get put back where it belonged. You must find that folder and put it back in the root library. or reinstall PS to get the folder.
Try this suggestion I copied and pasted from MacFixIt first
"Photoshop CS: Fix for file opening problem Yesterday we reported that since installing Mac OS X 10.4, Photoshop CS refuses to open any new files or create any new documents, reporting a "program error" when one tries to do so. Our previously reported workaround involved re-installing Photoshop CS, but MacFixIt reader Bryan Schappel now offers a faster solution:
"This happens because the Archive and Install option does not copy over a necessary folder for Photoshop. The critical folder is called 'ScriptingAdditions' and is stored in the main Library folder. This folder contains one file 'Adobe Unit Types' that makes Photoshop open files that have been double-clicked or dragged to the PS icon in the Dock.
"Simply move this folder (and file) from the 'Previous System' backup to the Library folder, relaunch Photoshop and all is well again. No need to completely re-install.""
I copied an pasted instead of putting the link in because it is not on the front page and you would have to search around to find it. Hope it is ok to do that here.
To answer your second question:
iPhoto 5 now stores the Album information in a data xml file. The Albums folder within the iPhoto Library folder is no longer used. At some point, usually after a rebuild, you will no longer have that folder in the Finder.
If you need to access photos from an album it is very difficult for a third party application to navigate the iPhoto Library in order to find the photo you need. You will have to know the date of import in order to find the photo.
There are some third party applications that can read the xml file and can navigate the iPhoto library and show you the Albums. Hopefully more applications will be revised to read this file.
Until then you will have to Share/Export the photos to the desktop. You can then navigate to the desktop to use the photos (example: web uploading from online photo site)
If your application supports drag and drop, you can drag the photo from an open iPhoto Library window into your application.
For email you can also use the email icon within iPhoto to open a message with the highlighted photo attached.
You can also use spotlight to find images in an Album...
This is what I have done using Spotlight to find my images that are in iPhoto albums without opening iPhoto..
In iPhoto, select the album, then select all, go to Photos/batch change.
Change the comments to text. In the text field I put the name of the Album.
Do this for each album.
Close iPhoto.
Open Spotlight and put in the name of the Album ( you have to remember the names of the albums or have then written down)
In the spotlight search results. click on "show all"
Under "Images" click on the "xx more" to show all the images in the album.
Make sure you have it in icon view, the icon view box is the last one on the blue images line.
Now you can control click on the image to "reveal in finder", open in iPhoto or Mail, etc.
I am not sure if this is going to make you happy and it is a little more work, but you can find images in albums and even view them in a slideshow (by clicking the play arrow at the end of the Images highlighted blue line) using Spotlight, all without opening iPhoto.
One important thing to know is you can set up a graphic program to be an external editor (when you double click an image in the library} such as PhotoShop or PS Elements. You set up that within iPhoto Preferences. Just make sure you save the image flattened and with the same name. The edits will then be relected in iPhoto when you hit "save".
Two Apple kbs for you to read
Don't tamper with files in the iPhoto library folder
About the iPhoto Library folder
This is a view of how the iPhoto Library looks in the Finder.
It is organized by Year folders. Inside the Year folders are Month folders. Inside the Month folders are the days of the Month. Inside the day folders are the photos you took on that day. If you imported video clips and RAW files on that day they will be in an Originals folder. If you have edited any photo imported on that day, the original will be in that folder also.
Lori -
I am using iphoto '09 version 8.1.2. (424). Today a few photos will not open. I can see them as thumbnails but when I try to open them they start to open and then a big ! mark appears. I have not had this problem before. Can you 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 -
IPhoto 8 does not open my iPhoto 6 library.
Hi,
I want to transfer my Photos from Iphoto (10.4.8) 6 on my Powerbook to my new MacBookPro with iPhoto 8 (10.5).
How can I do that without loosing my albums.
IPhoto 8 does not open my iPhoto 6 library.
ThanksSimply copy the iPhoto Library Folder from the Pictures Folder on your old machine to the same location on the new one. The launch iPhoto. That's all.
Regards
TD -
Iphoto will not open my iPhoto library......have tried everything. This has only happened in the last week.
I have tried everthing suggested on the forum.Did you follow these directions?
Using iPhoto Library Manager to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
1 - download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.>Click on the Add Library button,
2 - select the library you want to add from those in the selection window.
3 - make sure that in the rebuild window the checkbox "Scavange orphaned photos" is checked.
4 - 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
5 - in the next window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed. Click on the Create button.
Note 1: 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 2: Your current library will be left untouched for further attempts at a fix if so desired. -
can't open my photo library after upgrading to iphoto 11. Is it possible to download iphoto 9.0.1 after installing '11. Have followed all the other instructions and am in a loop which doesn't allow me to access iphoto or my photos.
when iphoto wouldnt open we read the trouble shooting info and it said that we may have needed to download 9.0.1 if we had an older version. We obviously didn't download it before the upgrade and wondered if it would cause problems or indeed solve the problem if we downloaded it now!
When we try to open iphoto is says:
To open your library with this version of iphoto it first needs to be prepared
To prepare the library use the iphoto library upgrader available from Apple.
We have downloaded this twice now and it still sends us this message when we try to open iphoto. -
When attempting to use Lightroom external editor program to edit a photo in Photoshop Elements 10, the photo does not open / appear on photoshop elements screen. I don't have any problem with this when using Photoshop Elements 6 or Photoshop CS. I'm using a Mac with Mountain Lion OS. Any solutions?
Adobe now hides the editor - what looks like it is not - you want the editor hidden in the support folder - see http://forums.adobe.com/message/3955558#3955558 for details
LN -
I have set up iPhoto 11 so that pictures will be edited in Photoshop elements 11. I selected the option to edit in another application. But when I select edit in iPhoto, elements opens but the photo does not open in elements. I'm using a Macbook pro 15 inch with retina display with OS 10.8.4 What is the problem?
http://barbarabrundage.com/2011/10/05/adobe-hide-and-seek-setting-pse-10-as-exte rnal-editor/
It relates to Elements 10, but it's the same for 11. -
I have been using iPhoto for several years. Today when I tried to open it, I got a "pop-up" message, "What photo library do you want iPhoto to use? Choose a photo library."
How manhy libraries does the "pop up" show? What ahppens when you select the?
Look in your pictures folder (default location) - is there an iPhoto library there?
LN
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