Recovering iphoto library: rebuilding database doesn't work

My iphoto-library runs on an external HDD (using a MBP 256 SSD). It contains 38.000 photos, lots of albums and projects (photo albums) and a week ago it crashed. I accidentally removed the hdd while using iphoto. This happened to me before and with a simple recovery (update library. 'Werk bij' in Dutch. I work with a Dutch version) it was back.
But now my library is completely gone. I tried recovering my library by using 'option+command'. It recovered my photos, but not my settings. See the screen print. No albums and projects...
My masters, previews and projects (photo albums) are all there (in finder).
Does anybody have a solution for my problem? How do I recover my setting/iphoto library?
Thanks in advance.

Have you tried Repair Disk?
Connect the external drive and open Disk Utility from your main drive. (Applications / Utilities / Disk Utility)
In DU, select the external drive, then First Aid and click Repair Disk.
Good luck.

Similar Messages

I have iphoto 6 and my pictures are no longer showing. I have tried importing them but it just give me an error msg. (file format not recognized) I have tried rebuilding the iphoto library but that doesn't work either. Any suggestions?

I have iphoto 6 and my pictures are no longer showing. I have tried importing them but it just give me an error msg. (file format not recognized) I have tried rebuilding the iphoto library but that doesn't work either. Any suggestions?

How did you rebuild?
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 <a href="http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/"><b><u>iPhoto Library Manager</b></u></a> 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.

HT5037 The iPhoto Library Upgrader tool doesn't work. I've downloaded it, and follow the directions, but iPhoto still won't open.

The iPhoto Library Upgrader tool doesn't work. I've downloaded it, and follow the directions, but iPhoto still won't open.

Your Library is damaged.
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 early versions of Library Manager it's the File -> Rebuild command. In later versions it's under the Library menu.)
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.
As for goign back: do you have an undamaged library?
Regards
TD

Iphoto library rebuild

Hi All.
Have had to resort to posting on here for assistance with an issue on my mid 2010 macbook pro, purchased January 2011. Never had any issues with it until now. I recently updated software and now can't access iphoto. I am not sure what the update was and whether this is related or not.
On trying to open iphoto, the message is that the library needs to be upgraded to work with this version of iphoto and my iphoto library will not be readable by previous version of iphoto after the upgrade process. The only options were quit or upgrade so on clicking 'upgrade' the message becomes "iphoto is unable to open this library...it has issues that require rebuilding to correct." Options are quit or rebuild so on clicking 'rebuild', message becomes "iphoto library is missing required database files and must be rebuilt before it can be opened". On clicking the further 'rebuild' option, the message becomes "iphoto will open as soon as the library is available. However having left it running overnight, it still appeared to be trying to rebuild with no discernable progress made. As a result, i have cancelled the rebuild after 12 hours.
Having looked at a few postings on here with apparently similar issues, i have tried the CMD/ALT option when opening iphoto and selecting various options available. Option 1 - repair iphoto database seems to produce the same effect as above, ie says it is rebuilding though no progress can be seen, though there is a secondary 'rebuilding library : examining library' box which never makes any progress. The 2nd option - rebuild iphoto library database from automatic backup, doesnt work and results in the message 'your photo library is damaged or unreadable and cannot be opened. Please restore from a backup. I do have a backup on a separate hard drive.
I have the following questions and would be grateful for any assistance that can be given. I am by no means a computer expert but figure with a bit of pointing in the right direction, i should be able to sort out basic issues.
1 - I am not sure how to restore from a backup so assistance would be appreciated.
2 - Is the problem with iphoto itself or, as has been suggested in some postings, the library? What is the difference?
3 - Do i need to delete the version of iphoto i have and replace either from the discs or with a downloaded version? if so, what version do i use? My mac uses osx 10.6.8.
4 - Are my photos still on the macbook somewhere and assuming i can get a working version of iphoto again, how do i access them? Or, do i have to use the backedup photos on the separate drive?
Many thanks
Mike

Here is what I suggest you do.
(a) Download iPhoto Library Manager. I think it costs $20 or $30 but it is worth it.
(b) Make a copy of your iPhoto Library from your backup that presumably is in better shape than the one you have been working from. I don't know what format your backupo is. If you can simply copy the iPhoto Library file (it's actually a type of folder but looks like a file) over from the backup, do that, and work with that copy, leaving the backup copy alone, untouched (in case something goes wrong). If you used Time Machine, run Time Machine and go back in time to before you started trying to update the iPhoto Library file and copy that earlier backed up copy over to work with. If you instead wish to work with your current version of the iPhoto Library, which I don't recommend but which might be ok, you can do that.
(c) Run iPhoto Library Manager. Choose Add Library and navigate to and select the copy of your iPhoto Library backup from above (or your current copy of the iPhoto Library if that is the approach you are taking).
(d) Once you have that iPhoto Library selected in iPhoto Library Manager, under the File Menu select Rebuild Library ...
(e) It will save this rebuilt library as a separate file, not modifying the file you are rebuilding. This is a big plus.
(f) As the rebuild proceeds, it will show you each photo as it processes it, so you can gauge the progress precisely.
(g) When done, the rebuilt iPhoto Library (new) file should work properly with iPhoto.
My daughter's 22,000 iPhoto Library was rebuilt this way and it took ~ 4 hours. But it worked. Hers stopped working when her computer froze while working in iPhoto.
This iPhoto Library Manager program is more successful in rebuilding these photo databases than is iPhoto itself.
Answers to your questions:
(1) Depends on your backup. I gave some hints above for Time Machine.
(2) The iPhoto Library is a database of all the photos. I suspect from what you describe that it is the iPhoto Library itself that has become corrupted. This is the most common problem. The database is complex and is prone to this sort of thing.
(3) You should use the most recent version of iPhoto. Click ONCE on the iPhoto application in your Applications folder and in the File Menu select Get Info. It should be version 9.3 or later. You can update it through Software Update or through the App Store if necessary.
(4) Even though your iPhoto Library file/database appears to be corrupted, the photos are all still there. Just the pointers have been corrupted so iPhoto cannot access them in an orderly way. You can see the original photos by going to the iPhoto Library, RIGHT-CLICKING on it, selecting Show Package Contents, and looking in the folder there called Masters (or Originals). If you really had to, you could copy those originals out into a big new folder and re-import them all into a new iPhoto Library, but I doubt that will be necessary. By the way, do not change or modify anything that is inside this iPhoto Library file/folder, but you can look in there to see that your original photos are still present.

IPhoto 8.1.2 doesn't work after reinstalled the OS 10.6.8?

iPhoto 8.1.2 doesn't work after reinstalled OS 10.6.8?

To re-install iPhoto
1. Put the iPhoto.app in the trash (Drag it from your Applications Folder to the trash)
2. Download it from the App Store to reinstall It's on your Purchases List* there.
For older versions that have been installed from Disk you'll need these additional steps:
2a: On 10.5: Go to HD/Library/Receipts and remove any pkg file there with iPhoto in the name.
2b: On 10.6: Those receipts may be found as follows: In the Finder use the Go menu and select Go To Folder. In the resulting window type
/var/db/receipts/
2c: on 10.7 or later they're at
/private/var/db/receipts
A Finder Window will open at that location and you can remove the iPhoto pkg files.
3. Re-install.
If you purchased an iLife Disk, then iPhoto is on it.
If iPhoto was installed on your Mac when you go it then it’s on the System Restore disks that came with your Mac. Insert the first one and opt to ‘Install Bundled Applications Only.
*Sometimes iPhoto is not visible on the Purchases List. it may be hidden. See this article for details on how to unhide it.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4928
One question often asked: Will I lose my Photos if I reinstall?
iPhoto the application and the iPhoto Library are two different parts of the iPhoto programme. So, reinstalling the app should not affect the Library. BUT you should always have a back up before doing this kind of work. Always.

There's a glitch somewhere. iphoto just wont open. upgraded to yosemite and downloaded iPhoto upgrader and it doesn't work, just keeps telling me to upgrade when I did already or quit, so no way to do photos on this brand new mac. that's a pity!!

there’s a glitch somewhere. iphoto just wont open. upgraded to yosemite and downloaded iPhoto upgrader and it doesn’t work, just keeps telling me to upgrade when I did already or quit, so no way to do photos on this brand new mac. that’s a pity!!

You need to have iPhoto 11 v9.6 (which you can get from the App Store) to use iPhoto on Yosemite. If you already have iPhoto 11 then the update is free. Otherwise it's a purchase.

Can IPhoto Library Version 9.2.3 work on snow leopard

Can Iphoto Library Version 9.2.3 work on snow leopard?

iPhoto 9.2.3 works on 10.6.8
That's what I hane on my SL machine.

I'm using imovie 10.0.3 with OS x Version 10.9.2. or some reason I can't double click on iphoto events to siadplay the pictures within that event. I've rebuilt my iphoto library, but nothing seems to work. Any help would be appreciated.

I'm using imovie 10.0.3 with OS x Version 10.9.2. or some reason I can't double click on iphoto events to siadplay the pictures within that event. I've rebuilt my iphoto library, but nothing seems to work. Any help would be appreciated.

Hello All,
Also no answer but am having the same problem. All my catalogueing via folders is up in smoke and no external HDs (where I would normally directly store raw footage when importing) showing up on the iMovie interface. It is a pain the arse to go back to the earlier version - why APPLE, pray tell, do you continue to lower expectations user-friendly functions. Shall try the option+open for a library but this too is extremely inconvenient if it works like iPhoto because you have to log out to log in to a new library whereas I just want to be able to see my multiple HDs directly from the iMovie menu and then the folders within folders I have layered in there - to make it easy to FIND STUFF. Wake up Apple, you are NOT meeting your customer's needs or desires.
Thanks to the posters who are helping the rest of us lost in the dark with possible solutions - free fix-its for Apple which they don't deserve.

My cc library of indesing doesn't work.

my cc library of indesing doesn't work. i can't add anything and i cant's see things i put in illustrator library.
please help me sold the problem

Try restoring your InDesign preferences. This articles tells how:
Trash, Replace, Reset, or Restore the application Preferences

Why is restoring my iphoto library using backup app not working?

Hey,
I did not have enough space on my hard drive for all of my photos in iphoto. So I did a complete backup of my entire iphoto library onto an external hard drive. I have since upgraded to a new, larger internal hard drive. So I wanted to restore my complete iphoto library.
I used the Backup application to restore the files to iphoto, and Backup says the process was successful. When the application backed up my photos it created 10 different back up files, but only one of them has photo files in it. I restored them all, but only one actually restored my photos. So now my photos have been restored to iphoto, and I am able to see all the photos in each event when viewing them all at once, but if I double click to view a single image, the icon of a ! with a circle around it appears. So I don't really have any of my photos...I don't understand why this is or how to fix it.

What backup application did you use to make the backup and to try to recover the library?
The iPhoto 08 library is a unix style package and will have up to 16 items in it:
Click to view full size
Are you getting something similar?
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 versions) 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. There are versions that are compatible with iPhoto 5, 6, 7 and 8 libraries and Tiger and Leopard. Just put the application in the Dock and click on it whenever you want to backup the dB file. 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.
NOTE: The new rebuild option in iPhoto 09 (v. 8.0.2), Rebuild the iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup" makes this tip obsolete.

Recover Iphoto library

Following a cleaning I may have put in the trash all my iphoto library (I then emptied the trash) because when I am clicking on Iphoto I get the message "iphoto can t continue without a photo lobrary. Make sure the disk containing your iphoto library is connected". Any idea how to recover the Iphoto Library.
Thank you in advance!
Best regards

Welcome to the Apple Discussions. At this point your only option would be to use a file recovery application like SubrosaSoft FileSalvage to recover the image files from your hard drive. You can run FileSalvage in demo mode to see what image files you can recover before you have to purchase it. I believe other file recovery applications have similar demo modes.
It might be time to consider getting an external FW hard drive to use with Time Machine for backups.
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 versions) 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. There are versions that are compatible with iPhoto 5, 6, 7 and 8 libraries and Tiger and Leopard. Just put the application in the Dock and click on it whenever you want to backup the dB file. 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.
NOTE: The new rebuild option in iPhoto 09 (v. 8.0.2), Rebuild the iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup" makes this tip obsolete.

HT201250 How to recover iPhoto Library after format of hard drive?

I've recently reinstalled Lion onto my hard drive but I forgot to backup my iPhoto library. Is there any way of recovering this library? I also have an external hard drive that had Time Machine Backups but that hard drive has since gone through formats as well. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you

SOLUTION : iPhoto folder recovered after formatting hard drive by mistake.
I was able for recover my iPhoto library ( intact ) after formatting the hard drive by mistake.
On top of that I formatted it in FAT32 format. My iPhoto folder was huge 100GB with file and movies of all sort of formats. I kept it on a secondary hard drive of 500 GB. one day I was formatting flash drive for somebody which was 500Mb, seems similar to my 500GB and I formatted my hard drive by mistake. I realized the mistake a week after the person called me and said there is nothing in flash disk and I find a single file on my hard drive. Needless to say the earth disappeared underneath me. All my pictures for 10 years , 8000 thousand of them, cherished memories all gone. But was I determined to find them back and I know they are intact somewhere. My biggest fear was that formatting on MS-dos format might have really deleted them , but they were there. and here is how I got them back.
First I tried the Data recuse 3 software. I got the photos back, but they were all jumbled up. Long numerical file names and original dates were gone. No way I could sort it out back to the way it was before . So my target was to recover the iPhoto folder intact.
- I bought an external hard drive with 1tb space to retrieve the data.
- The software which did the miraculous job is called " STELLAR PHOENIX MAC DATA RECOVERY" .
- I ran a deep scan all night and came up with many volumes. volume-1 was the MS dos , volume 2 was a mac system,
- I tried MS dos volume first and there was nothing on it.
- I tried the 2 volume with mac system. It got all my files and some other system file.
- I could see the iPhoto folder and click on that only to recover. After that I went for my doc and other files later.
- It took hours to retrieve my iPhoto folder intact, The folder size was right and file were there in master folder.
- I checked in FINDER , opening iPhoto with "show content " and all my picture file were there with original date.
- BUT when tried opening it in iPhoto , there was nothing. it keep showing the wait icon and nothing shows up. Empty iPhoto.
- I tired starting iPhoto , holding command -option and tried building and repairing database, nothing worked.
- Then I got this software " iPhoto library manager" .
- downloaded, installed it and pointed it towards my iPhoto folder.
- It asked for space to rebuild a new iPhoto library with existing picture and folder.
I had another external hard drive , I used it to make a rebuild iPhoto library.
and there I GOT IT. only took three night of pain.
IMPORTANT:
I never touched my original formatted hard drive. Don't write anything on it until you are sure you have recovered everything. open and see files with your own eyes.
- I recovered the iPhoto on another hard drive and then built it on another hard drive . Yes its pain in the neck but well worth fixing your stupid mistake of not making a back up in the first place.
I hope this helps all who are looking for iPhoto recovery and their lovely memories.

Recovering Iphoto library on External HD

Hey,
So I decided to transfer my entire Iphoto Library to my external HD, about 1 hour ago. I did the transfer, and checked to see if I could open my new Iphoto Library from my external by pressing option before clicking on Iphoto and choosing the new library. Everything worked fine, so I deleted my Iphoto library on my mac HD. After deleting all the files I tried to open my Library on my external and Iphoto opens without and pictures. The Iphoto Library on my external has 14.97 GB being used so I know the files are there, I just cannot open them.
I would love to figure this out, so I dont loose all of my photos!
Thanks for the help
JT

Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
First off confirm that you're opening the Library on the Extenral. It's possible that for some reason iPhoto has created a new blank Library. Hold down the option (or alt) key key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library'...
If that doesn't help:
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, 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

IPhoto library. How does it work ?

Hi there. I am new to the whole iPhoto thing. But I went out and bought the iLife 08 and for me it just rocks. Everything I need to do.. It´s there. Great.
But I can´t really figure out how the iPhoto library work !?...
Normaly I just had all my pictures on my hard drive. I imported all those pictures (around 6000).. But instead of making a iPhoto library with the same size as all my pictures it´s only 5Gb instead of 25Gb !??! What´t the deal here ? Can a delete all my pictures and only work with the iPhoto library or is that only the size of the thumbnails it created ? and is useing my "original" photos on my hard drive ??
Any help on this would be great
THANKS

Your Advanced preferences in iPhoto should look like this:
If not then you're only using alias (link) files in the library pointing back to the "source" files that you imported. NO you can't delete those files you've imported. If your preferences are not as displayed, I suggest you move the library package to the Desktop, launch iPhoto and create a new Library. Then set the Advances preferences as shown above and the Events' preferences like this:
Now reimport your "original" photos again by dragging them into the open iPhoto window. The Evenrts preferences will insure that each folder imported from the Finder will remain in one Event instead of being split into multiple events based on the time frame set in the Events preferences.
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 written 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. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

Lost photos after iPhoto library rebuild - what happened?

After noticing that there were albums entitled Recovered photos in my iPhoto library, I deleted those albums. As expected, i got a message that i was not really deleting the originals, just getting rid of such albums. There were about 5 of those "recovered albums": one contained about 30 photos; three had zero and another had over 1000 photos. Subsequent to that, thinking of making this library totally clean, I decided to do a "libraty rebuild" using the option-command rebuild procedure of iphoto. I checked all the options presented for that procedure. To my surprise, when the process was finished I had less events, and less photos. A careful visual check of the display pane of events and photos confirmed that i had lost actual photos. I tried to reclaim those lost photos with another rebuild -- this time using iphoto library manager, but without success. What happened? Is there any way to reclaim those lost photos?
I do have a backup, but would prefer to correct the problem in the original library to avoid having to assemble and clean up duplicates that i had before.
I'm using the newest version of iPhoto: 8.1 and OS X 10.5.8 on a MacBook 2.4 Ghz - 2Gb Ram - 250 GB HD, 42 GB available. My iPhoto library has over 12000 photos

Why these things happen is always difficult to answer. My experience with iPhoto is using it since v1 on with a single library that's upgraded each new versions and migrated from G4 iMac to G5 iMac to Intel iMac and then a second Intel iMac. I load photos in, my wife does and my 12 year old does too.
And never had a problem.
The database gets corrupted when the app is interrupted when writing to it. The usual causes of this include a crash, a force quit or a lost connection to the Library on an external disk. More rarely minor disk or directory damage might be a cause.
I wondered when I read your report
Subsequent to that, thinking of making this library totally clean, I decided to do a "libraty rebuild" using the option-command rebuild procedure of iphoto. I checked all the options presented for that procedure.
The options presented for that procedure include various items that require the app to read the database file plus this one
Rebuild iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup.
+I Wonder+ - I stress, I wonder, no more - if reading to rebuild various thumbnails from a file that is being vacuumed +while at the same time+ is being replaced by a backup is what caused the issue.
If it is, then the Rebuild from Back Up option should be sandboxed and not possible while the other events are going on.
But that's just a guess.
Regards
TD

Recovering iphoto library: rebuilding database doesn't work

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