Unable to rebuild iPhoto thumbnail cache

This is my first post. I sure hope someone out there can help me.
I cannot rebuild my iPhoto (version 6.06) thumbnails.
When I open iPhoto little squares are in the place the photo thumbnails should be. My keywords and ratings are still displayed under the spot the thumbnails should be. When I click on any of the squares the information for that photo is displayed in the information pane. If I double-click on a square, a large grey square appears with an exclamation point inside it and the photo's information continues to show in the information pane on the left.
I have read past discussion boards and have tried iPhoto's "Rebuild Photo Library" function with both the "Rebuild the photos small thumbnails" box and the "Rebuild all the photos' thumbnails (this may take awhile)" box checked, but nothing happens.
What should I do?
I bought a copy of the latest iLife, but have been afraid to install it because I cannot even see the 10,000 photos in my iPhoto library unless I use Preview to do so. Also, I am still using OSX 10.4.11. Would upgrading to Leopard help or worsen my iPhoto problem?

Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
1. Upgrading the OS or upgrading iPhoto will not make a whit of difference here. This is an issue with your Library, and that's what needs to be fixed.
2. The ! or ? turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents. As you've tried rebuilding with no luck:
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 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.
3. If neither of these work then you'll need to create and populate a new library.
To create and populate a new 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.
Regards
TD

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    Movie lady
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