Some iPhoto images show an exclamation mark

I am not sure if this happened because of the recent 9.1.5 iPhoto update, but some of the images have gone awol and instead turn up as a blank screen with an exclamation point. Any ideas, suggestions, advice? I have not deleted any of the images that now just do not open up. Some of the event folders in iPhoto have all the images as before, others have some missing and there's just the empty frame. When clicking on the empty frame, you get the exclalmation point.

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

Similar Messages

IPhoto show a exclamation mark instead of the picture

Hi all folks,
iPhoto 8.1.2 (iLife '09) show an exclamation mark only, instead of the picture. The thumbnail overview shows the picture and in the edit mode I got the picture too. All the time I open the picture with Preview, I got the picture, but iPhoto can't. In general I have no problems with iPhoto, all pictures are shown.
My question, does someone know where the exclamtion mark (a black exclamation mark in a white circle) came from.
Thanks for any help,
Lutz

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, 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

I'm finding that songs that I have imported to Itunes are suddenly showing with "Exclamation" marks and Itunes tells me that the original file cannot be found. When I tell it to locate the file, it can't do it.

I'm finding that songs that I have imported into Itunes and played before are suddenly showing an"Exclamation" mark and Itunes tells me that the original file cannot be found. When I tell it to locate the file, it can't do it. I went to the Itunes help for locating files, but that still won't do it. It seems that somehow they are getting deleted, but not by me that I know of.
Can anyone help me?

Maybe you rename it. Somehow the path to the songs have changed if not deleted.
In Finder go to "Macintosh/Users/username/music/iTunes/iTunes Media/Music" that's where all your songs located so if those songs are not there you get an exclamation mark. You can delete those entries in iTunes and re-import again.

IPhoto shows an exclamation mark inside a triangle when trying to view the image

When trying to access the photos, a triangle with an exclamation mark pops up and I am unable to drag or view the photo.
The triangle looks like this

That means, that iPhoto is unable to access the original image files. Either the original files are missing, or your iPhoto library is corrupted.
What happened, before this problem first occurred? Did you update or upgrade software? Run any cleaning application? Move your iPhoto library to a different location? has the size of your iPhoto Library changed? Is your iPhoto Library still large enough to hold all the photos? Which version of iPhoto and MacOS X do you have?
Before you try anything else, make a backup copy of your iPhoto library, but don't overwrite any recent backup you currently have.
After you made the backup copy, try if the iPhoto Library First Aid Tools can reestablish the connection between the thumbnails. To run the First Aid Tools, hold down the key combination alt/options and command while launching iPhoto. Keep holding down the keys, until you are seeing the First Aid panel. Then select "Rebuild Database" from the panel.
If that does not help, try "Repair permissions" as well. Then post back with more details.

Image blank with exclamation mark when editing

I can see the image in the thumbnails but when I double click to open it, I get a dotted square with an exclamation mark in the middle. By using Find, I have located the picture - there are three copies- one in trash. When I try to move them back to the library, I still get the square with the exclamation mark. If my pictures are corrupted, is there any way I can restore them? I do not have backup copies.
Thanks ahead for any help.
Ilze

Ilze:
Welcome to the Apple Discussions. The "!" occurs when iPhoto loses the link to the original file. Run 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. 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: There's now an Automator backup application for iPhoto 5 that will work with Tiger or Leopard.

JPG Images show as "Question Mark" when browsing online in Safari

How do I get my $2500 laptop to download JPG images consistently when browsing the internet?
Currently, for example, 1 in 4 images posted on craigslist show up as a nice little blue question mark. Ridiculous... I could buy 5 PC laptops for the same price, and all will show the images.
Really becoming perturbed,
Chris

There may be a number of reasons why the images do not show. Which browser do you use? Have you tried another browser? Have you tried creating a second account (useful to have a test account) to see if it happens there too? That would all help narrow down possible causes.
Could you provide specific URLs so that someone could visit the same pages you are trying.
The link between your computer and the router; or the router and your ISP may also come into the equation, as may Craigslist (I just tried and the pages I saw had no images anyway).
What about the page you are viewing at this very instant? There should be some icons to the right, a couple of avatars (mine is an eMac) to the left: are these displayed?
As others (including me) have no problem getting our 78,000 baht laptops to display images in the backwoods of Asia, maybe other reasons may be coming into play?

IPhoto Images Showing Up in iLife Media Browser, Desktop/ScreenSaver, Etc.

Like others, I'm having the problem where my iPhoto library/images are not showing up in the iLife Media Browser in other iLife and iWork applications. They are also not showing up in the Desktop & Screen Saver system preferences.
I've read a lot of posts on this problem and have tried the remedies that others have described - to no avail. It seems others have reached a dead end as well.
I even upgraded my entire machine with the purchase of a new iMac this week (to replace a non-Intel G5 running Leopard). I completed the Setup Assistant and all files transferred fine. I thought surely this would solve the issue, but to my surprise it continues on the new machine.
Any ideas?
On a side note, my Faces tags didn't transfer to the new machine. I posted about that issue here:
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=10680823
Not sure if that secondary problem is in any way related to the iLife Media Browser issue.
Thanks for any new light you're able to shed on the issue.

Try applying or reapplying iLife Media Browser Update and iLife Support 9.0.3.

I've been using Iphoto as a primary download program for years. As of today, when I click a thumbnail to open the photo, I get a black screen with an exclamation mark on some shots. Also, these shots can't be dragged into Adobe Bridge. Would love help!

I use Iphoto as my primary download tool, then drag images into Adobe Bridge. Just today, when I tried to open a photo by clicking a thumbnail, all I got was an image of an exclamation mark and I couldn't drag the shot either. These are images I've successfully opened and dragged before. I would love guidance from anyone who knows a fix for this. Thanks! John

The ! turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.
What version of iPhoto?
As Larry says, your workflow doesn't make a whole lot of sense. If you're using iPhoto only for downloading then you're best off using Image Capture (in your Applications Folder) and just keep the whole database element out if it. If you're using iPhoto also to organise, then what are you using Bridge for? Anything you do in Bridge - or Photoshop - is unavailable in iPhoto if you work this way.
Regards
TD

Why does Visual STudio 2012 References keep showing Exclamation mark (which means assembly is missing) even after I specify the exact path?

Our web application at work requires Visual Studio 2012
For one of the projects within the Visual Studio 2012 Web Application Solution, we need the System.Web.Mvc in the References.
I already have the following in the packages folder:
{blah...blah..Visual Studio Solution path..blah}\packages\Microsoft.AspNet.Mvc.5.1.1\lib\net45\System.Web.Mvc.dll
I keep adding it, but the References still shows the Exclamation mark ( which means missing) next to the System.Web.Mvc
Why does it keep showing the Exclamation mark ( which means missing) , even after I specify the exact path to the System.Web.Mvc.dll ?

Hi cslewis33,
Thank you for posting in MSDN forum.
Based on your issue, if you want to add the System.Web.Mvc reference for a web application in VS2012. As far as l know that the System.Web.Mvc dll is default be located like this path:" C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft ASP.NET\ASP.NET MVC 4\Assemblies\System.Web.Mvc.dll.
So if you create the web app using c# language, I suggest you can right-click your Reference under the we application -> Add Reference->select the System.Web.Mvc in the Assemblies tab.
If the above suggestion still could not help you, I suggest you can consult this issue directly to the ASP.NET forum:http://forums.asp.net/ , maybe you will get better support.
Thanks for your understanding.
Best Regards,
We are trying to better understand customer views on social support experience, so your participation in this interview project would be greatly appreciated if you have time. Thanks for helping make community forums a great place.
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HERE to participate the survey.

Exclamation mark instead of pictures (sophisticated)

Yep,
I have actioned some suggestions and tried some tricks - w/o success. I have no more idea and seeking for help here now.
The problem can be reduced to one thing in iPhoto 11: while some pictures are alright, some others in the same event just show an exclamation mark when enlarging them. Lets say picture named "cimg0700.jpg" is ok, but when enlarging "cimg0699.jpg" the exclamation mark is shown. Both pictures are in the same folder!
In my desperation, I already did an "chmod -r 777" against the folder which contains my iPhoto Library. The iPhoto Library is located at
"/Users/Shared/Bilder/iPhoto Library". I have also rebuild the library using the build in feature of iPhoto. No success.
I already suspected Lion to have something to do with it. Since installing Lion I have all kind of strange trouble with my MacMini.
Does anyone has an idea how I can recover from this situation?
1000Thx! As I already wrote - I have absolutly no idea what to do next

Then the third option is your next step:
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. (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.
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.

Missing photo with exclamation mark in triangle

Hi,
I've been reading the posts in the discussion and I am thoroughly confused. Here is my problem. My MacBook Pro died. I replaced it with a new one and restored it through TimeMachine last January. I was having problems with my new computer and Apple agreed to replace my harddrive. I made sure to backup my computer with TimeMachine before having the hard drive replaced. I restored the computer with TimeMachine and some of my most recent photos taken on my iPhone (not all) have thumbnails present, but when I click on them I get an image with an exclamation mark inside of a triange. Trying to export the image fails. That is I tried to use iPhoto to make a FaceBook album, which it did, but on Facebook it says there are no photos in the Album. I did a search of one of the images (IMG_1900) and found three other images with that name from photos taken from years ago from a different camera. It seems my iPhoto Library is very confused. Before the replacement of the Hard Drive, the photos were present and working in iPhoto. That is I could view them on the computer in their full original form. I've tried rebuilding the iPhoto Library, but this had no effect on the problem. I recently upgraded my iPhoto to 9.2.3 version. Current OS is 10.7.4
Anyone have suggestions on how I might fix this/these problems would be very much appreciated.

I happened upon this thread when I encountered the same problem. In another forum string, I found the solution that worked for me:
Highlight the thumbnail in your iPhoto window. Select File>Reveal in Finder>Original File. Double-click on that original file when it comes up in the finder. Mine opens in Preview. In Preview, select File>Export. I exported to my desktop with a new name, and then I was able to drag the image from my desktop back into Photoshop.
This solution worked great for me.

I can see my pictures in "Recent" but when I double click a picture to make it big its just a big exclamation mark on the preview. What do I do? I also can't see the pictures to upload to facebook or email.....

I can't view pictures to attach to an email or upload to facebook it's just blank or shows an exclamation mark for each picture. I can see them in "recent" but if I double click on a picture to enlarge it it's just an exclamation mark again. What is wrong and how do I fix it?
Thank you!!!

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. (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.
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.

Exclamation Mark Icon on Mail

I have used Mail for years and never had a problem until I upgraded to a MacBook this year and joined Mobile Me. Now Mail shows the exclamation mark icon several times a day, and I have to force quit it and reopen it to get new emails. Sometimes emails don't send and I end up with half the document in Draft. I have a DSL connection through Qwest, which I have also had for several years, and am wireless with an Airport.

And my ipod touch can access mail again now too. Thanks for your response!
Your welcome, Ruby. And you can blame MobileMe for the cause of it too. I'm just glad I waited until they *MADE ME* use @me.com but now I still have the @mac.com as well. Just make sure that the incoming mail server is "mail.mac.com" & the outgoing mail server is "smtp.me.com".
Why-O-Why can't they just keep it simple like the good old day's? The hard they make it, the easier it is to break it.
Later ...
Buzz

Exclamation Mark on wireless icon

Hi,
I have a MacBook 5,2 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.13 Ghz 2GB Memory running snow leopard. I connect to my personal wireless at home and a wireless at my university campus (set-up on campus).
Since my upgrade to snow leopard I have had no issues at home however on campus the wireless icon shows an exclamation mark with a message on the drop down menu "alert: no internet connection". this happens on my university campus only (at least so far). The strange thing is the internet is working and I can browse/download etc. I have contacted the IT department on campus and they have said the issue has only started with people with snow leopard and have no idea. To clarify, the internet is working but I am being told it is not (on campus only, not the case at home). It is not a huge issue as I can access the internet but the exclamation mark is driving me crazy and cannot find a solution.
Any ideas? anyone else encountered this issue? Thanks for your help!

We too have similar problems. I have an older macbook with leopard and it's fine - but a new MBPro with snow leopard has all these problems.
I was prompted to respond here in particular because when we tried to wirelessly connect the MBPro to my home router (it worked for about 30 seconds initially - internet connection as well, but then died) it not only doesn't work (and shows the exclamation mark) but it hangs the router - ie: the old macbook loses connection as well. The only fix here is to restart the router.
This result is completely repeatable. Now (because we successfully connected for a few seconds with the correct wep password) all we have to do is open the lid of the MBPro and my old trusty macbook stops working as well!! (I can't ping the router at this stage either) Power cycle router and comes good again (having turned off airport on the MBPro).
Now, at a different location our BT broadband has gone pear-shaped (almost brand new homehub looks as if it might have died) one wonders if the MBPro is suspect again..
I do hope an OS update will fix this annoyance.

HP Support Assistant not responding: Red Exclamation Mark+ Important action needed

I am using HP PC model Phoenix H9 1325in with windows 8. HP support icon is showing red exclamation mark with a message Important action needed but when I click nothing works and no options are given. Next button is not working.
How to resolve this issue? Please help.
when a message pop-up took place before this issue I opted for "Check for updates, but let me choose whether to download and install them"
Thanks.

I saw your post and forwarded it to the right people for review. You should hear back from someone shortly on the HP Support Forum.
Regards,
eric-g
@Chrystna79
I no longer work for HP.

Some iPhoto images show an exclamation mark

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