The dreaded exclamation mark

I have a problem. I was uploading photos to iPhoto when it stopped me and said I did not have enough space to complete the upload. After clearing some disk space, I resumed the upload.
Once all the photos were uploaded, iPhoto crashed. When I re-opened it, it prompted me that 390+ photos were waiting to be recovered, and if I wanted to recover it. Seeing that those 390+ photos were still visible in their albums, I clicked 'yes' anyway to play it safe. It then asked me if I wanted to import duplicates as well, but I clicked 'no'.
Here lies the problem: I realized that many of my photos show up in small thumbs; as I enlarge it, it becomes exclamation marks and I can't even open it for editing. I'm guessing these are the duplicates that I chose not to recover. I'm frustrated as these pictures are valuable Vancouver holiday pictures and the question about the "duplicates" seem very misleading!
Does anyone know if I can still recover these photos? I've checked Finder and everywhere else, the entire roll in question is missing. Does iPhoto keep a cache and is there a way to access this cache for this missing roll? Thanks.

When getting the "!" try the following 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.
*NOTE: And do what you can to free up space as Larry suggested. It's vital to the health of your PB.*
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto (iPhoto.Library for iPhoto 5 and earlier) database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
I've created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger or later), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. It's compatible with iPhoto 6 and 7 libraries and Tiger and Leopard. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.
Note: There now an Automator backup application for iPhoto 5 that will work with Tiger or Leopard.

Similar Messages

I might have messed up my files and now have the big exclamation mark on a lot (but not all of my iphotos) My document folder was full of photos and I tried to organize it by putting it into a separate folder but now I can't see my photos :-( please help?

Hi there, I have the same problem as I've read on some of the questions posted although the answers hasn't been much help to me with regards to the big exclamation mark on iphotos when I try to open my photos. For some reason my photo files was stored in my document folder and you can imagine how that must have looked, very unorganized. When I tried to move the photos from there to another file that is just for my photos. Now I can't open them in iphotos and although I tried to undo my mistake it still doesn't want to work.. is there any way I can find all the images on my computer and fix my problem by storing them somewhere else without damaging the files?
Please help me find all my photos as I would be shattered if I were to loose any...
Thank you.

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

How do I find out what the red exclamation mark or "error" on page refers to in a book that I want to send to print?

How do I find out what the red exclamation mark or "error" on page refers to in a i-photo book that I want to send to print?

If it's a text box it means the text has overflowed the boundries of the box. Check for line returns which won't be visible but will trigger the warning.
OT

When sending multiple MMS messages is there a limit to how many you can send in a group? My iphone4 will not let me send more than 10. My 3gs I was able to send over 20 MMS messages at one time. when I try on this phone I get the red exclamation mark!!

When sending text messags from my iphone4 it will only allow me to send to no more that 10 contacrs at a time. On my 3GS I was able to sendto well over 20 contacts at once. When I try to send on this iphone 4 all I get is the red exclamation mark and a message saying message not send and to try again. Is there something wrong with the way I have my setting? I use this feature alot so I am really trying to figure it out. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I understand that the limit is 10 people when sending MMS messages. However there is a much higher limit for SMS messages.
If they would suit your needs, try disable the switch for "MMS messaging" on the Messages page of the Settings app.
Peter Johnson
Developer of TextShot Pro
I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.
<Edited by Host>

Podcasts and the dreaded exclamation point

Most of my podcasts will no longer update. This actually started BEFORE iTunes 7. I can see new episodes are available but when I try to download I get messages like "this URL was not found on the server". Per another poster, I tried deleting and reloading one of the podcast subscriptions. Not only did I lose everything, I cannot resubscribe. I get the URL message. I can, however manually download individual episodes (pain in the...)
How can I escape the ! ?

I'm having similar problems with the dreaded exclamation point. Even after reading several threads, my problem still isn't solved. Here's the lowdown:
I've tested this feed on 7 different computers (5 PCs, 2 Macs).
All but 2 of the computers can subscribe and download the episodes with no problems. The troublesome computers? One PC. And one Mac.
The feed has been redirected through FeedBurner. I'm subscribing manually (and yes, I typed the feed correctly).
On the problem PC, I can't even get iTunes to recognize the podcast.
When I subscribe to the "original" .xml doc (not through FeedBurner), it works fine.
On the problem Mac, I can subscribe to the podcast. The episodes appear. But none of them will download. I get the exclamation point each time. Clicking on it reveals this message: "There was a problem adding ('Episode Name') to iTunes. The file might be corrupted, or a file type that iTunes cannot play."
When I subscribe to the "original" .xml doc (not through FeedBurner), it gives the same results.
The problem computers are both running iTunes 7.0.2 (15)
The 5 computers that work (Mac and PC) are running various versions of iTunes.
I've downloaded some random podcasts from the iTunes Store on the Mac. Some work. Some still give me the exclamation point.
I've downloaded some random podcasts (even others from FeedBurner) on the PC. Everything works - except the one I really need.
feeds.feedburner.com/upton
Can anyone help?

My macbook pro is still under warranty. I have just put it into Mac 1 to be repaired because I had the folder with the dreaded Question mark on it....new hard drive. I was told that if I wanted my data retrieved, I would have to pay $445 p/h. Ahh!!!

My macbook pro is still under warranty. I have just put it into Mac 1 to be repaired because I had the folder with the dreaded Question mark on it....new hard drive. I was told that if I wanted my data retrieved, I would have to pay $445 p/h. Ahh!!! Shouldn't that be covered by warranty?

My newest Mac just did the same "folder of death" dance. It's too late for you now, but you might consider a passport backup drive.You can get 2&3 T-bytes now fairly reasonably priced. A given with computers is they will crash, just a question of how bad and when, so you can be prepared for the next time.

Losing the dreaded ! marks

I've just changed the ITunes folder location on my system because I want to consolidate all my music on one Lacie drive, as we have 2 macs each with small drives. Also some stuff was only on the drive and some on both,etc.
I'm trying to get to a point where no music is actually on the drive as I need to keep it clear for other things.
I've been dragging files from the old location directly into the destination folder, or dragging them straight into iTunes and have done most of them by now. I have also told iTunes to re-sort the files as it does when you tell it a new folder location, and did this again after getting the dreaded ! marks and these are the problem;
I reckon there's about 3-400 "!" tracks which are sitting in the correct location folder and iTunes can happily show them, but of course wants me to manually re-find and select each one if I want to play it. This is especially tiresome when doing a whole album. Is there a work around? Was I just an idiot?
Thanks in advance,
Tobe

The way I finally, yet slowly solved a similar issue.
1. Use itunes search to show only the "i" album in question.
2. Select all the songs showing.
3. Use the "show in finder" menu item for an album" OR use the finder search function to locate the lost song/album folder.
4. Drag the album onto the main itunes window. You should then see the blue "i" songs and the unselected newly added songs
5. Delete the selected songs, BUT DO NOT have them put in trash. This will save you from having to reenter any revisions, you have made to the "information" attached to the song. The duplicate name will disappear from the itunes window. I have 10,000 songs so it took a while but this method worked for me. Hope it does for you.

I can't send texts to some contacts in my iphone 4s. This is a recent problem, as previously all texts would send. The red exclamation mark appears and 'not 'delivered' shows on screen.

First time I've used this discussion forum, so may be posting problem twice! I can't send texts to some contacts in my iphone 4s. This is a recent problem, as previously I could send texts whenever I wanted. The exclamation mark and "not delivered' shows on screen when I ry and text certain people. I know for a fact that my number is not blocked by the receipients?

I've just realised, further to my earlier question - that the people I am trying to text do not have Iphones? Could this make a difference? (Although I have text them in the past)

My wifi on my imac has suddenly stopped working I have the wifi exclamation mark when I try to log into my network it shows a strong signal but no joy. My macbook and iphone work fine

WWifi exclamation mark had suddenly appeared on my imac. I have rebooted imac and router

When you see an exclamation point in the Wi-Fi menu, first turn Wi-Fi off and back on. If it still fails to connect, then from the menu bar, select
 ▹ System Preferences... ▹ Network
Click the Assist me button and select Assistant. Follow the prompts. You may get a warning that Wi-Fi is not available, that you're too far from the base station, or that you're using the wrong password.
Assuming that you've ruled out those possibilities, restart the computer and try again. If there's no change, click the lock icon in the lower left corner of the preference pane and authenticate, if necessary. From the Location menu at the top of the window, select Edit Locations. A sheet will drop down. Click the plus-sign button to create a new location. Give it any name you want. In the new location, set up the Wi-Fi service with the same settings you used before. Click Apply and test.
If there's still no connection, and if you have control of the router, compare its settings to Apple's recommendations. Some third-party routers may be incompatible in 802.11b/g/n radio mode. Try setting the mode to 802.11n only.

The dreaded question mark in a Q

Hi, all
I am only getting the dreaded Q-? in web sites that have videos. So I checked - I'm running QuickTime 7.3, should I go back to 7.2?
This is a recent development and isn't just a web site here or there, seems to be happening on almost every web site I visit that has videos - whether they are commercials or actual site content.
Is anyone else out there having this problem?
Thanks,
Luan

I tried this and it's working, but as I said, it's been sporadic so we'll just have to wait and see. Hope it helps you.
New! Re: Quicktime question mark
Posted: Nov 18, 2007 5:26 AM in response to: Razvan Zamfir
Reply Email
I did this and it worked perfect:
I found this helpful solution on another mac forum. Hope it helps.
1) Open the folder Macintosh HD/Users/your_user/Library/Preferences
2) In this folder, search the file com.apple.quicktime.plugin.preferences.plist
3) Open it with Textedit
4) Search for this string (without the quotes) "<key>application/x-shockwave-flash</key>"
5) On this section, change the "<true/>" string to "<false/>" (without the quotes)
6) Save and quit Textedit
7) Relaunch Safari and ENJOY!!!!

The dreaded Question mark folder

I have 2 G3 400 mgz imacs and the one I have most on, stops at the question mark.
While looking at posts it seems that it is better than vegas odds that it is the battery that is dead.
I had been resetting to date to WWI era for some time.
Then I had turned off the power bar as storms were rolling thru and our electric goes surgy.
Now the question mark.
I found a link to other world computing and ordered a battery
but have only found dead or broken links to the how to change the thing
I haven't been inside a computer since I installed a hard drive in my IIGS woz and have vague memories of having to ground self or fry the machine
Is there any links anybody knows that can hold my hand?
Thanks
Barry

Check out this site Installation
iMac HDD Upgrade Guide (Slot-Loading) Visual Installation Guide - slot loading iMac Hard Drive Visual Installation Guide
You could try to locate the service and repair manual for your iMac on the Internet.
iMac G3 600 is imac_summer01.pdf
other names iMacslotloadCD.pdf or iMac_early2001.pdf.
Robert

The dreaded question mark

Hey Peeps,
I think I've read every thread & tried every scenario pertaining to the "?" & still cannot get QT files to play, not flash files. I use XP Pro at work, but use a Mac at home. I'm trying to view movies I built at home and put up on an iWeb site with my work machine. The files are 3.6 mb H.264 & still get the question mark. I've unchecked the flash options for MIME & browser, & I did update my flash player. I can view all the flash content on You Tube. I have the latest ver of QT on my work machine as well. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Steve
iMac G5 2.1 Ghz isight refurb 1.5 gb ram iMac G4 800 mhz Mac OS X (10.4.4) XP Pro at work

I tried this and it's working, but as I said, it's been sporadic so we'll just have to wait and see. Hope it helps you.
New! Re: Quicktime question mark
Posted: Nov 18, 2007 5:26 AM in response to: Razvan Zamfir
Reply Email
I did this and it worked perfect:
I found this helpful solution on another mac forum. Hope it helps.
1) Open the folder Macintosh HD/Users/your_user/Library/Preferences
2) In this folder, search the file com.apple.quicktime.plugin.preferences.plist
3) Open it with Textedit
4) Search for this string (without the quotes) "<key>application/x-shockwave-flash</key>"
5) On this section, change the "<true/>" string to "<false/>" (without the quotes)
6) Save and quit Textedit
7) Relaunch Safari and ENJOY!!!!

The little grey exclamation marks...

OK, I realise that the reason why the grey exclamation marks next to some of the songs on my ITunes is that the song titles or album titles are too long... but it won't let me change them. The Song Info comes up in grey text & won't let me edit. So I have a bunch of good songs I can't listen to, & they are preventing me from consolidating my library, & I REALLY don't want to delete them cuz most of them were downloaded from the Music Store & I don't wanna just waste money. Advice please, people?
Thanks

"I realise that the reason why the grey exclamation marks next to some of the songs on my ITunes is that the song titles or album titles are too long"
That's not correct. The reason that you see the ! next to songs is that they have either been moved from their location, or they've been deleted, and either way, iTunes cannot find them.
If you were to double click on one, you should see a message come up to that effect. iTunes will ask if you want to locate the song. Click yes and see if it can be found.

Log and Transfer. Red Exclamation Mark part way through ingesting

Hello. I have tried to search through the various previous issues raised re the red exclamation marks but couldn't find a solution to my exact scenario.
All seems to be fine ie connect camera (Panasonic SDT750 - recording at HG level, not 1080/50p option) and L&T sees the clips and I can start ingesting. But after a while it stops and I get the dreaded red mark. Could it be to do with the size of the clip, which is around 1hr 30mins? I say that as I tried adding in and out points to just capture a 30 second portion and it all worked fine ie got the half blue disc show up. On System Settings I have this pointed to an external drive with 1.4TB of space, and I have about 45GB free on my Mac Hard Drive.
I need the space on the SD card today for something so have deleted it, first copying all the contents over onto a folder on the Ex Drive and deleted the card, so hopefully can revisit later.
Am I missing something really obvious here, or do I need to think about only ingesting, say, half hour periods at a time? Many thanks.

Thank you everyone for your comments/suggestions. I have been looking into each and experimenting before posting back. Re each in turn:
Tom - CMD-I info says the format is Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
Al - Limit capture boxes are not ticked. I trashed com.apple.finalcutexpress.plist, repaired permissions and re-booted.
skalicki - I had seen that post and thought that had cracked it as I had previously only been able to ingest a couple of minutes of footage, but on changing to plain stereo it seemed to be going ok, but then stopped after about 15 minutes instead. I did have about 45GB free on my hard drive, but I have now done some housekeeping and have about 96GB.
Randy - resetting the in point seemed to have some effect bizarrely, whether it was just this or in combination with trashing prefs i'm not sure, but now I am able to ingest about 30 minutes of footage (I tried an hour but this failed).
So currently I am proceeding with the project by ingesting footage in 30 minute portions at a time, which is working for now. But this doesn't seem right as a solution. What about:
Is there maybe somewhere else there could be a setting limiting capture.
Might using a card reader instead of the camera possibly help.
The disk to which Easy Setup is being told to save the footage is also used for Time Machine. Should I maybe turn Time Machine off in case it is trying to do 2 things at the same time and doesn't like it?
Thanks again...
Time Machine?

Exclamation marks appearing

Hello everyone,
Those dreaded exclamation marks have started to appear. All of my music is where it has been for about 2 years now, on an external hard drive, and nothing else has changed apart from the usual system/iTunes upgrades and I'm up to date on both counts.
Over the last couple of days I've had to manually go and locate a lot of songs which have just become 'lost' in the iTunes system. In fact one album was playing perfectly yesterday has suddenly now got 4 exclamation marks and the Mac has been on the whole time with iTunes running.
Does anyone have an idea about this as I don't much fancy having to re-import up to 20,000 songs.

A couple years ago I started getting question marks for no apparent reason. I hadn't moved any songs - they were still there and I could link them...only to have them disappear again a few days later.
When that happened (songs I relinked became lost again) I exported my library and each of my playlists and copied them to another drive and made sure I'd backed up that last few CDs I'd ripped. (I suspected the drive was dying or that the directory was damaaged.)
I used Apple's Disk Utility to check the integrity of my drive and found several errors it couldn't repair. Since I always have spare stuff around (I work in IT) I copied all my songs to an external drive, formatted the drive, and moved everything back again. I wound up losing data on about 100 songs but that solved my problem.

The dreaded exclamation mark

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for