Spotlight cannot find my images

Hello guys,
I have foudn the answer to my question in the existing posts, so I'm trying to explain what happens to me.
Spotlight cannot find my pictures (eg containing 'cat') whereas they are or tagged, titled or commented with 'cat' in iPhoto... I need to re-aply the whole keywords to each image so that Spotlight can find it.
Have anybody allready experienced this pb & solved it? Thanks for your answers & sorry about my bad english.
Guillaume,

Guillaume, since I think you just want to find your images (and not get into an extended, and increasingly arcane, discussion of Spotlight and its potentialities/defects) I suggest you use a search tool other than Spotlight. These would include File Buddy and EasyFind. There may be others as well.
EasyFind or FileBuddy *will* find what you are looking for.

Similar Messages

  • Spotlight Cannot Find Files

    Hi,
    I have an encrypted disk image with some files in it. However, spotlight cannot find any of the files. Most are text files and I even placed tags in the Spotlight Comments section of the 'Get Info' popup. Any ideas how I can have spotlight find these files?
    PS. Is it just me or did spotlight in Leopard get less powerful, in that there aren't as many custom filters to put on finding metadata. Plus it is a chore to specify if you only would like to search one folder.
    Thanks
    IP20

    i'm having the same problem and my disk isn't even encrypted. since switching to leopard, spotlight has been a distaster. it worked fine in tiger, but i've repeatedly tried to find things that i know exist with no luck.
    for example, i do a search on my local for files that i created called FAQ, nothing relevant comes up. i then look around myself and find the folder they are in, called FAQ, and do a search in that specific folder for files called 'FAQ'. i have two browser windows open, one with the search results, one with the actual folder. in the folder i see seven files with FAQ in the file name. in the search results window, with file name clicked, and that folder specified, it brings up only one of the seven files. other times it's come up with none, and i'm looking at the **** things sitting there. what gives? am i losing my mind?

  • Illustrator cannot find linked images

    Illustrator CS3 cannot find linked images that are stored on another server volume.
    Example: My Illustrator file is stored on one server volume and my images on another.
    Both volumes are mounted on the desktop but, Illustrator asks to locate linked images
    when I try to open the file. After locating one linked file all others linked to this document
    are then found. If I save and close this file and reopen it, it will ask again to locate the linked images.
    System specifics:
    Illustrator CS3
    Mac OS 10.5.6
    Intel PowerMac
    Thanks

    One thing you can do to save a lot of disc space is to make aliases of the pictures you're using and place them instead of the originals. Keep the aliases in the same folder as your artwork. Works fine as long as you've got the server with the originals mounted and you avoid having to search for the originals, just go to the aliases instead. A lot of people seem to have forgotten about aliases but they're an incredible time and space saver. We use them all the time.

  • Spotlight cannot find any files on an OS X Lion server. Any ideas?

    Spotlight cannot find any files on an OS X Lion server.
    Spotlight keeps on "losing" the files on the system. Spotlight searches will show applications, but no files. Rebooting the system will cause the files to start appearing again in searches, but the problem re-occurs within a day or two of the reboot. Removing and re-adding the volume with mdutil has the same effect as rebooting the system, but is much slower due to the re-indexing once the indices are deleted.
    $ sudo mdutil -sv /
              Indexing enabled.
              Scan base time: 2011-11-07 15:43:31 +0000 (1209505 seconds ago), reasoning: 'scan required - mount side'
    So it seems to know it needs to scan the volume. When I do
    $ sudo mdutil -i on /srv/store2
    I then get
    $ sudo mdutil -sv /srv/store2
    /srv/store2:
              Error: unexpected indexing state.  kMDConfigSearchLevelTransitioning
    Which would assume means it's changing from an unindexed state to an indexed one.
    There is no Spotlight config that would prevent Spotlight from locating the files in question. The index just appears to be inaccessible. mdutil -s / shows "Indexing enabled" for / (the mount point in question) and "Indexing disabled" for /srv/store2, another folder it should be indexing.

    Update
    After reboot, mdutil -sv /srv/store2 shows:
    /srv/store2:
      Indexing enabled.
      Scan base time: 2011-08-22 15:53:26 +0100 (7954912 seconds ago), reasoning: 'scan required - shutdown side'
    And I can see three mdworker processes running
    $ ps ax | grep mdworker
      299   ??  SN     0:00.35 /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Frameworks/Metadata.framework /Versions/A/Support/mdworker -s mdworker -c MDSImporterWorker -m com.apple.mdworker.pool.0
      341   ??  SN     0:00.41 /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Frameworks/Metadata.framework /Versions/A/Support/mdworker -s mdworker -c MDSImporterWorker -m com.apple.mdworker.pool.0
      634   ??  SN     0:00.43 /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Frameworks/Metadata.framework /Versions/A/Support/mdworker -s mdworker -c MDSImporterWorker -m com.apple.mdworker.pool.1

  • Spotlight cannot find Flv files then can

    Spotlight cannot find Flv files then can - why?
    Message was edited by: Howell Edwards

    HI,
    Go here. Spotlight Tips
    Open System Preferences - Spotlight to configure your Spotlight search results.
    Carolyn

  • Spotlight cannot find file

    Hi All,
    I am very frustrated because Spotlight is incapable of finding a file on my Mac.
    The file is named: "Maya.env"
    And is located here:  Users/username/Library/Preferences/Autodesk/maya/2011-x64
    Can anyone tell me why Spotlight is not able to find this file?
    I just finished having the search index rebuild and it still will not find this file even when I direct it to search the Preferences directory.
    This is really lame....PLEASE tell me there is a way to fix this....I need to search for little weird files all the time and having to manually navigate to them defeats the purpose of having Spotlight.
    Thanks for any help or ideas...
    Bern

    Open the folder Library/Preferences/Autodesk in a Finder window.
    Launch the Terminal application, copy or drag -- do not type -- the following text into the window, and press return.
    find Library/Preferences/Autodesk -type f -exec touch {} \;
    Quit Terminal. Go back to the Finder window and enter "Maya.env" (without the quotes) in the search box. Anything?

  • Photo cd contains only "alias" files and I cannot find my images....

    A few months ago, I burned a few photo cds.  I created these by dragging the files from my camera's memory card to the cd folder and then burned them.  I thought I was being careful and checked each cd after it was complete to confirm the photos were all there.  At the time all looked fine.  I then erased the camera memory card to create more usable space.  Now those same cds only contain alias files and my images cannot be located in any files or folders.  Can I recover or did I make a mistake with something that used to be so simple??  Thank you for any suggestions and help with this.

    Your cd's only had aliases burned to them. When you checked the contents of a burned CD the memory card would have been still mounted, so the aliases automatically found the original files and opened them. This will only work if the memory card with the original photos is mounted.
    The correct procedure is to create a Burn Folder. (File / New Burn folder). With the memory card connected, drag the photos to the Burn folder. You can rename the folder, say Photos. When you are ready to burn, go to File menu and and you will see the option: Burn Photos to Disk.
    After the burn, you can trash the Burn folder, or reuse it.
    In fact the Burn folder also contains just aliases, but when you burn, the original items are found and burned to the CD.
    p.s. To copy the actual files (rather than aliases) from the memory card you have to hold the Option key down when you drag and drop.

  • Spotlight cannot find certain messages

    When I put a number into the search bar it comes up but no message why?

    Hi Tatiana87,
    If you are having issues with the Spotlight search function on your iPhone, you may find the following article helpful:
    iOS: Understanding Spotlight Search
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3636
    Regards,
    - Brenden

  • I manually rebuilt my iPhoto, but cannot find newest roll of images

    A few weeks back I noticed after syncing my iPhone that a majority of my pictures (or thumbnails) were blank, gray squares where the images used to be. However, the weirdest part was that I could see all the thumbnails to the newest roll that was added to my iPhoto. I read some of the forums here about how to fix my iPhoto and eventually realized I had to manually rebuild my iPhoto library. Just in case I wouldn't lose any images, I copied my entire iPhoto library and put it in another folder. However, after rebuilding my library, I noticed that the newest roll that I could see are no longer in my library and I can't find them anywhere. I went back to my time machine file from before rebuilding the library, and when I brought that back, the images were still missing. I have no idea where they could have possibly have gone and while all my other photos are now visible in iPhoto, I would like to know if there is any way of retrieving the images that I lost after rebuilding my library. I would really appreciate any help or advice as to how to proceed.

    Welcome to Apple Discussions,
    Search your computer, external hard drives and your copy of the iPhoto Library for the missing images as described in this article: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1995
    If you cannot find the images that would suggest they have been removed from the computer (deleted).
    You might have turned off the copy to iPhoto when importing images. Check iPhoto > Preferences > Advanced > Make sure that "Copy Items to iPhoto Library" is indeed checked. With this option unchecked, images are not imported to iPhoto, instead they stay wherever they are when imported (like on the camera for example).
    If you don't find the images by searching then data recovery would be the next step I would take.
    If the images were recently taken with your camera you could recover them (Assuming you've already deleted them from the camera. If you haven't just re-import them.) from the media card using a product like this: http://joesoft.com/products/klix.php
    You can contact a local Apple Authorized Provider to see if they offer data recovery services: http://www.apple.com/buy/locator/service/
    There are many nationwide / worldwide data recovery companies out there. Here are a few examples:
    http://www.ontrackdatarecovery.com
    http://www.drivesaversdatarecovery.com/
    http://www.totalrecall.com/
    You can also use data recovery software to retrieve accidentally deleted data yourself. Here are a few examples:
    http://www.prosofteng.com/products/data_rescue.php
    http://www.macintosh-data-recovery.com/
    http://www.subrosasoft.com/OSXSoftware/index.php?mainpage=product_info&productsid=1
    _ In the case of data recovery software you will most likely need an external hard drive for the software to recover data on to.
    Hope that helps.

  • Spotlight not finding metadata keywords

    I can get spotlight to find my images with keywords on the MacHD, but not on the external drive. I formatted it with the Disk Utility as MS-DOS so I can also use it with XP. It will bring up the photos filenames. Any idea why it's noting finding the keywords? Thanks

    There is a way to do a one time (or multiple over a 20 day period) writing of keywords, comments and titles to the original files. Follow the first 9 steps of Tutorial #1 and that will get you those items written to the actual original files.
    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 now an Automator backup application for iPhoto 5 that will work with Tiger or Leopard.

  • IPhoto frustrating error..The volume for "Df23.JPG" cannot be found. It prompts for all photos with this issue rather than offering an option to ignore. I can find the images in spotlight but not in Find Photo. Does anyone have a solution

    iPhoto frustrating error..The volume for "Df23.JPG" cannot be found. It prompts for all photos with this issue rather than offering an option to ignore. I can find the images in spotlight but not in Find Photo. Does anyone have a solution?

    Unless you have the source files that were on the TC or Windows machine you will have to start over with a new library as follows:
    Start over from scratch with new library
    Start over with a new library and import the Originals (iPhoto 09 and earlier) or the Masters (iPhoto 11) folder from your original library as follows:
    1.  Move the existing library folder to the desktop.
    2. Open the library package like this.
    Click to view full size
    3. Launch iPhoto and, when asked, select the option to create a new library.
    4. Drag the Masters (iPhoto 11) folder from the iPhoto Library on the desktop into the open iPhoto window.
    Click to view full size
    This will create a new library with the same Events as the original library but will not keep the metadata, albums, books slideshows and other projects.  Your original library will remain intact for further attempts at fixes is so desired.
    OT

  • I cannot find the command/template to force rebuild of users Spotlight

    I give up, I have searched these forums, but cannot find it.
    I need the command line to recreate the template, I know I found it online but cannot find it now.
    What's worse I had a template for it, but re imaged the Mac on which I run ARD, and cannot find a copy or remember how to do it.
    So does anyone have it or can they point me in the right direction to find.
    Thanks
    Phil

    Ah well,
    Working on something else and remembered most of it, hacked it together and got it to work.
    Here it is if anyone wants it, it will turn off, delete, then turn on Spotlight on a users Mac
    #!/bin/bash
    sudo mdutil -i off / /Volumes/*
    sudo mdutil -E / /Volumes/*
    sudo mdutil -i on / /Volumes/*
    Cheers
    Phil

  • Downloaded a trial version of the "Living Earth Desktop" screensaver and cannot get rid of it. I deleted the download and cannot find it anywhere else on my mac. I will change the desktop image and the living earth image will pop back up minutes later.

    Downloaded a trial version of the "Living Earth Desktop" screensaver and cannot get rid of it. I deleted the download and cannot find it anywhere else on my mac. I will change the desktop image and the living earth image will pop back up minutes later. Does anyone know how I can make this image stop taking over my desktop? Thanks!
    http://download.cnet.com/Living-Earth-Desktop/3000-2049_4-10789812.html
    This is the website.

    IF you know the exact file name of the download, you can search for it in the spotlight.
    (This icon) in the upper right corner.
    If you don't know the exact file name, you may have to redownload it so you can see it.
    I would also try doing a reboot after you change your desktop background to what you want.

  • I cannot add a Wi-Fi guest network. Gone to Utilities Airport Utilities and all get is an image/browser of my Airport Extreme. Looking for the browser which has the title Wireless but cannot find anywhere. I need help?

    I cannot add a Wi-Fi guest network. Gone to Utilities>Airport Utilities and all I get is an image/browser of my Airport Extreme. Looking for the browser window which has the title Wireless but cannot find anywhere. What am I doing wrong?

    Open AirPort Utility. The first screen looks something like this:
    Click on the AirPort Extreme and another screen will appear. Click Edit, then the window with the Wireless tab will appear.
    If you do not see these screens, you will need to start over and configure your AirPort again.

  • Spotlight and finder cannot find files as of a certain date. What can be the problem and how to solve?

    Spotlight and search field in Outlook on MacBoon cannot find files as of a certain date. What can be the problem and how to solve?

    Reinstall on both.
    Reinstall Lion, Mountain Lion, or Mavericks without erasing 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.
    Repair
    When the recovery menu appears select Disk Utility. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list.  In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive.  If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported then click on the Repair Permissions button. When the process is completed, then quit DU and return to the main menu.
    Reinstall Mountain Lion or Mavericks
    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 isthree times faster than wireless.
    Restore your iPhone to reinstall iOS. Be sure to do this while connected to your computer and iTunes.
         Tap Settings > General > Reset > Erase all content and settings.

Maybe you are looking for