The main window doesn't show up anymore when I launch iPhoto.

Question

The problem occurs on an iMac / Mavericks 10.9 / iPhoto 9.5. In the last days, iPhoto used to crash several times, and now the main window doesn't open when I lauch the app. Fortunately, if I want to access from the menu another Library, it works, So that I can repeat the procedure and access, by doing so, the default Library that doesn't open. There must be a corrupted file somewhere, I presume. But now, what to do? With Time Machine I could get iPhoto from a time it worked well. But this didn't change anything. Thanks for an advice to solve this annoying problem.

Answer 1

Try trash the com.apple.iPhoto.plist file from the HD/Users/ Your Name / library / preferences folder.
(On 10.7 or later: Hold the option (or alt) key while clicking on the Go menu in Finder to access the User Library)
(Remember you'll need to reset your User options afterwards. These include minor settings like the window colour and so on. Note: If you've moved your library you'll need to point iPhoto at it again.)
What's the plist file?
For new users: Every application on your Mac has an accompanying plist file. It records certain User choices. For instance, in your favourite Word Processor it remembers your choice of Default Font, on your Web Browser is remembers things like your choice of Home Page. It even recalls what windows you had open last if your app allows you to pick up from where you left off last. The iPhoto plist file remembers things like the location of the Library, your choice of background colour, whether you are running a Referenced or Managed Library, what preferences you have for autosplitting events and so on. Trashing the plist file forces the app to generate a new one on the next launch, and this restores things to the Factory Defaults. Hence, if you've changed any of these things you'll need to reset them. If you haven't, then no bother. Trashing the plist file is Mac troubleshooting 101.