Cheryl - Aug 22, 2006 - 12:49 pm

Win,

Click on the background on your screen. Now look at the menu at the top of the screen. You will see from the left, a blue apple, Finder, File, Edit, View, Go, window and Help.
Go to the Go menu and click and hold down the mouse button.
A list will appear with several choices.
One on the list is Home.
Select that.

Home is your user folder. It is handy when you have more than one user on a machine. It keeps your files safe from other eyes.

Once you are in home, go to the View menu at the top of the screen and select by list.
Now everything is in alpha order.
Scroll down until you see Library.
Open Library.
Now if the contents of this folder is not in alpha, go to the view menu and select by list.
Now scroll down until you see Preferences.
When that opens, go to the view menu and select by list.
Scroll down until you see the com.apple.iPhoto.plist file
Just drag that to the trash.

Not to worry, a new file will regenerate itself.

Now start up iPhoto and immediately hold down the Apple key and the Option key on the keyboard. A new menu will appear on your screen. Release the keys.
Check mark all the boxes in that window and click on rebuild.

When done, your pictures should all be there.

Cheryl

winifredscarfe - Aug 23, 2006 - 7:02 am

Cheryl,

Panic! I now have one iPhoto.plist in Trash and another still in Preferences. Holding down Apple and Option (is that the key called ALT?) keys produced no menu! In iPhoto there are NO PHOTOS!! More help please ... Win

Cheryl - Aug 23, 2006 - 11:28 am

Win,

That plist file - preference file regenerates itself.
iPhoto Library Manager should help at this time.
http://homepage.mac.com/bwebster/iph...rymanager.html

Download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.

Click on the Add Library button, navigate to your User/Pictures folder and select your iPhoto Library folder.

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

In the next window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed. (in the Pictures Folder is a good place)

Click on the Create button.

It can take some time to create the new library if you have a lot of photos. It may not rescue the albums or slideshows, but it should bring back your original library of images.

Cheryl

winifredscarfe - Aug 23, 2006 - 11:43 am

Thanks Cheryl I will try it tomorrow - it's late now - and let you know. Win

winifredscarfe - Aug 23, 2006 - 11:49 am

Cheryl, When you say 'navigate to your User/Pictures folder and select your iPhoto folder' I am not sure what you mean. Will it be apparent when I start doing it? Is it not the iPhoto plist in Preferences/Trash? I am all worried now but don't want to do it until I am less tired. Win

Cheryl - Aug 23, 2006 - 12:10 pm

Win,

Your iPhoto Library is in Home (your user folder) >> Pictures >>iPhoto Library.

Cheryl

winifredscarfe - Aug 24, 2006 - 10:30 pm

Hi Cheryl,

I have iPhoto Library Manager, found the folder, clicked on Library - now I am unsure again. When I click File I don't seem to get the Rebuild Library option. I do get Duplicate, Make Alias, Create Archive of ... Please advise. I understand the next steps. Thank you so much for your patience, long may it continue! Win

Cheryl - Aug 25, 2006 - 1:45 am

Win,

In iPhoto Library Manager, in the File menu, do your have Merge Libraries, Extract Photos, or even Launch iPhoto?
In the iPhoto Library Manager, the first column shows the iPhoto Library. Does the second column show Library, and any of your albums?

One more thing to check. Go to Home>Pictures>iPhoto Library.
In iPhoto Library does it have folders labeled with years? Do you have files labeled with Library.data or Thumbxx.data?

Cheryl

winifredscarfe - Aug 25, 2006 - 5:36 am

Cheryl,

Now I have it, but a window says'CANNOT REBUILD This library cannot be rebuilt because its XML file contains no image records,' Win

Cheryl - Aug 25, 2006 - 11:55 am

Win,

Are there any pictures or thumbnails in the folders with the years? Just open one year folder. You will see more with more numbers. Open one of those. You may see another folder with a number on it. Open that.
Your final folder should have two more folders labeled Originals and Thumbs along with a .jpg of each picture. Do you have those in the final folder?

Go through the names of Albums and Smart albums and check to see if you have any album names (especially smart albums) in your iPhoto source list which contains any special characters. Special characters are any character that's not a letter or a number (like an ampersand (&). Other characters can include ^*$#(). If there are albums with special characters, remove these characters and see if this resolves the issue.

If you move, delete, rename, or otherwise tamper with files or folders in the
iPhoto Library folder, you may be unable to see your pictures in iPhoto.

Try this:
Quit iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD and iTunes if they are open.
Open the iPhoto library folder.
Find AlbumData.xml.
Drag it to the Desktop. Close the window.
Open iPhoto.
Create a new album (From the File menu, choose New Album).
Quit iPhoto.

Now Open iPhoto. Do you have your images back?

Cheryl

winifredscarfe - Aug 26, 2006 - 2:34 am

No! I am afraid not! I now have AlbumData.xml on my desktop and a new album in iPhoto Library of iPhoto Library Manager. All these Albums have (0) after. Your instruction were very clear, thank you, but we need to keep going ... Win

Cheryl - Aug 26, 2006 - 4:03 am

Win,

Are there any images in those folders labeled with years? If not, I am sorry to say that you have lost all those pictures.

Did you back up your files to another drive, zip disk or CD?

I know how devastating it can be to lose pictures. I had a hard drive failure just recently and did not get to backing up my latest pictures. The result is that I lost them forever.

Cheryl

winifredscarfe - Aug 26, 2006 - 8:39 am

Cheryl,

Re your first paragraph, which folders do you mean?

At some stage earlier on I was in a folder, perhaps within a folder, where there were folders called 'thumbnails'. I need to find it again. I was not confident enough at the time to do anything other than what you asked! Cannot bear the idea that they are lost. It was about 2 years worth. No, no back up. Have never found out how or where to do it. I just thought the Mac was completely fail safe. I can see now that I should put them in Pictures. The only things in Pictures has been photos sent to me as emails and saved. Oh dear, I feel a bit sick. Win

winifredscarfe - Aug 26, 2006 - 8:45 am

Re your response for 25th at 5.55: When I found the AlbumData.xml., I draged it to desktop, was I to do anything further with it? Win

Cheryl - Aug 26, 2006 - 9:08 am

Win,

While a Mac is fail safe to an extent - files do get corrupt and sometimes, you can accidentally trash an important file. Even hard drives can go south and you will need to replace it.

Those thumbnail folders are in Home (your user folder) >> Pictures >>iPhoto Library>folder with year (2005 or 2006, etc)>folder with number (05, or 08 - representing month)>folder with number (12, 23 - representing date of day).

The Thumbnail folder should have .jpg files in it.
You will also see a folder labeled Original. This will have .jpg files in it also.

It is the original folders that you should check out to see if the images are there.

That AlbumData file on the desktop can be trashed.

Cheryl

winifredscarfe - Aug 27, 2006 - 12:16 pm

Cheryl, I need to keep this open a bit longer. I went through all those folders and every time I got to the last one it opened iPhoto and there was a window saying 'unreadable file'. So I suppose I just must accept that they have gone. Fortunately I had emailed a lot of photos to family and friends and the letters were still in the 'sent' box. I have moved them all to Pictures. However they are 1) with the email letter
2) in a jpg format
3) some of them are enormous and I cannot find how to minimise
4) I would like to move them back to iPhoto.
How do I sort out all the above?

Also ... I have some photos on CDs. When I put the CD in nothing happens. Before this problem, the CD would open iPhoto and load immediately. It is as if it were switched of now it is empty.

Looking forward to more help! Best wishes, Win

Cheryl - Aug 27, 2006 - 3:19 pm

Win,

Since the pictures are there with the email, then you are going to be able to save many of them.

First, there is no need to put those emails into the pictures folder. Just do not delete them from Mail or you will lose them forever.

iPhoto 5.x was from the iLife package. Do you still have that CD? If so, I will give you instructions on how to delete the iPhoto on your hard drive and then install a fresh copy.

Cheryl

Cheryl - Aug 27, 2006 - 4:26 pm

Win,

I am not sure what happened but our system closed your question. I have reopened it so that I can continue to help you.

Cheryl

winifredscarfe - Aug 28, 2006 - 1:15 am

Cheryl, I have just found 2 CDs. One called PowerBook G4, that is my model and another Mac OS 9. Is it one of these or do I have more somewhere? Win

Cheryl - Aug 28, 2006 - 2:23 am

Win,

Check the PowerBook G4 to see if it has an OS version on it. And check for more CDs as iPhoto is on the iLife CD which is separate from the OS.

Cheryl

Cheryl - Aug 28, 2006 - 12:07 pm

Win,

I am not sure what happened but our system closed your question - again. I have reopened it so that I can continue to help you. I have also alerted our web master to this.

Cheryl

Cheryl - Aug 28, 2006 - 4:46 pm

Win,

Did you find the iLife CDs?

Cheryl

winifredscarfe - Aug 28, 2006 - 9:47 pm

Cheryl,

No, I don't seem to have it. I only have the two CDs. I looked at the PowerBook G4 and to see what is on it I would have to install it. I am feeling quite under confident. I don't want anything else to go astray or wrong!

Win

Cheryl - Aug 29, 2006 - 2:52 am

Win,

If you installed 10.3 you should have the OS X 10.3 full install CD. Do you have that?

Cheryl

winifredscarfe - Aug 29, 2006 - 3:06 am

I have:
The PowerBook G4
15-inch and 17-inch
MacOS X Install Disc

That's what it says on the label. So Is that it?

Win

Cheryl - Aug 29, 2006 - 3:12 am

Win,

Does it say what version OS X it is? You may need to look in the fine print on the CD.

Cheryl

Cheryl - Aug 29, 2006 - 2:01 pm

Win,

For some reason, our system automatically closed your question. I have reopened it so that I can continue to help you.

Cheryl

winifredscarfe - Aug 30, 2006 - 12:29 am

Cheryl,

Yes the system keeps closing on us!

The fine print on CD: AHT version 2.5
Disc version 1.0
2Z691·5146·A

I hope I can manage the next steps! Win

Cheryl - Aug 30, 2006 - 3:07 am

Win,

I have an important meeting to attend this morning. I will get back to you with instructions this afternoon.

Cheryl

Cheryl - Aug 30, 2006 - 4:11 pm

Win,

Use that PowerBook G4 CD and start up the computer with it.

First plug in the power adaptor to the powerbook and a working electrical outlet.
Insert the CD
Restart the powerbook and immediately hold down the C key. Continue to hold down the C key until you see the powerbook starting up with the CD. You will see a different desktop screen than your normal as it starts up.

Do not click on the installer screen!!! Instead go to the Installer menu and select Disk Utility.
When that opens click on the second icon in the side bar at the left, then click on Repair Disk at the bottom right.
Watch the activity screen. If it does any repairs - you will need to click on the Repair Disk button a second time after the first pass is done. The object is to make sure it finds all the problems and repairs them. You may need to hit that button a third or fourth time to get no references to repairs made.

Now click on Repair Permissions.

When that is done, quit Disk utility and restart the computer.

Now give iPhoto a try and let me know how you do.

Cheryl

winifredscarfe - Aug 30, 2006 - 11:22 pm

Cheryl, I just want to check before doing this. My laptop is plugged into the power socket. I insert the CD and you say restart he powerbook. Do you mean turn it off while the CD is in? Do I do this with the restart option under the apple in top left? And hold down the C key - is that the Command key with the apple on it?
I do print off your instructions so I can follow them. I live in Cadiz, southern Spain and there is no one here that really knows about Macs. When I bought this my husband's technician read up on how to install it for me.
I think I understand the instructions that follow. Though I have some fear and trepidation! Win

Cheryl - Aug 31, 2006 - 2:03 am

Win,

Your powerbook should be using the power adaptor - Not the battery.
Insert the CD.
When it comes up on your desktop go to the Apple Menu and select Restart.
When it starts the restart process (you hear the chime) hold down the C key - the letter C.
continue to hold down the C key until you see starting Mac OS.
Release the key and allow the powerbook to continue the start up.
You will see the installer screen.
Do Not click on the installer screen.
nstead go to the Installer menu and select Disk Utility.
When that opens click on the second icon in the side bar at the left, then click on Repair Disk at the bottom right.
Watch the activity screen. If it does any repairs - you will need to click on the Repair Disk button a second time after the first pass is done. The object is to make sure it finds all the problems and repairs them. You may need to hit that button a third or fourth time to get no references to repairs made.

Now click on Repair Permissions.

When that is done, quit Disk utility and restart the computer.

Now give iPhoto a try and let me know how you do.

Cheryl

winifredscarfe - Aug 31, 2006 - 4:39 am

Cheryl, All went well until the Repair Disk on the bottom right ... it was not available. I needed to click Verify Disk Permission. which resulted in a a RED "Error: no valid packages 8-9997) message. I must by now be a nightmare for you. Hope you can help. Win

I should tell you that often when I open up I get a window about my WLAN_BC I have no idea what it means or what to do about it, it started after we had digital tele installed a couple of months ago. I always click to allow once. Would this cause any other problems? W

Cheryl - Aug 31, 2006 - 12:32 pm

Win,

If Repair Disk was grayed out, you did not get to the Disk Utility that was needed to repair the drive. Did you get the installer screen when you started up with the CD?

As for WLAN, it sounds like you are connected to a network. Do you have more than one computer running? How do you connect to the internet - dialup, dsl or cable?
Go to the Go Menu and select Network.
Does the window show you connected to anything?
If so, then just drag that folder to the trash.

I only wish I was able to sit in front of your computer to correct these issues once and for all.

Cheryl

winifredscarfe - Sep 1, 2006 - 2:41 am

Hi Cheryl!

Yes I did get the installer screen and the window with Disc Repair as you say was greyed out. The CD had worked according to your instructions

We have adsl connection, two laptops one upstairs and mine down, and a tele with the same connection for digital.

Re WLAN:the Network window is blank. Win

winifredscarfe - Sep 1, 2006 - 10:33 pm

I did not hear from you yesterday and am now concerned that my question will be closed again. I have to go to Madrid on Wednesday 6th for a few days, hope we can sort it out before then. I go to Turkey 28th Sept, and will of course take lots of photos. I will be visiting 4 different regions, off the tourist trail. I have an iPod to download my photos into and just hope I can manage it all! Looking forward to hearing from you. Win

Cheryl - Sep 2, 2006 - 4:06 am

Win,

No your question will not close automatically as we fixed that bug in the system.
I did not answer you immediately, as I am a teacher and school has started, hence I can not respond as quickly as before.

While in Disk Utility did you click on your hard drive icon in the side bar at the left? I have a suspicion that the error was caused because the CD icon was selected by default when starting up with the CD.

Try it again, this time when Disk Utility comes up, look at the side bar at the left. You should see the CD listed as well as your hard drive icon. Click once on the icon that shows the name of your hard drive. It could be Mac HD.

Now click on the Repair Drive.
Watch the activity screen. If it does any repairs - you will need to click on the Repair Disk button a second time after the first pass is done. The object is to make sure it finds all the problems and repairs them. You may need to hit that button a third or fourth time to get no references to repairs made.

Now click on Repair Permissions.

When that is done, quit Disk utility and restart the computer.

Keep me posted on how you do.

Cheryl

winifredscarfe - Sep 2, 2006 - 10:11 pm

Dear Cheryl,

Well! I managed the repair last night. It all went according to instructions. I clicked 'repair' a number of times. In the end it said, in red, that the Mac HD was repaired.

This morning I took some photos of the house interior and loaded then in. It worked. However I have a CD of photos which did not work. Last year on my way home from Switzerland I wiped all my Swiss pics from the camera! Buckets of tears! It had been a business trip as well as my first visit. Anyhow I sent the chip from the camera home to Australia and my son in law retrieved all the photos. They were then sent to me on this CD. At the time I just put it in and it loaded immediately into iPhoto. It does not seem to want to do it today.

Looking forward to more from you, Thanks, Win

Cheryl - Sep 3, 2006 - 1:59 am

Win,

We now know that iPhoto does work. I am afraid that those photos you had in your iPhoto Library will not be retrievable.

That CD should work, though.
Insert that Swiss CD and click twice on the CD icon. A window should open showing the files that are on there.

Click twice on one of the photos to force open it.

Does it open?

Cheryl

winifredscarfe - Sep 3, 2006 - 11:38 am

Cheryl,

Yes, I have 67 photos in jpg form. I await your instructions about how to get them into iPhoto. Then there are all the photos attached to the 'sent' emails, they also need to be in iPhoto.

My other question of course is WHAT HAPPENED? Why did the file become corrupted? How can I avoid it happening again? How do I make a back up file of photos? Where should it be kept? I am a new computer user as you will have gathered. I had terrible problems with a Compaq, weeks of tears (mine) and viruses (its). So I now have this Mac. I worked out what I need to know because it is so user friendly. I can see now that I need to get onto Mac Help when I am in doubt. Enough for tonight. Ciao, Win

Cheryl - Sep 3, 2006 - 2:08 pm

Win,

First, you need to get a book The Missing Manual Panther edition by David Pogue.
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/macxmmpanther/

It will help you understand the system and answers many questions.

As for what happened, more than likely a corrupt file within the library. A corrupt or bad file can not be prevented. But doing a back up will reserve your pictures.

To do a backup, all you need is a CD burner, or a zip drive. The easiest way to back up those images is to open iPhoto, then select Export from the Share Menu.
Click the File Export button at the top of the Export Photos window.

In the File Export pane, change the desired options:

Format: Choose a file format for your exported images from the Format pop-up menu. (Depending on the source of the images, you may want to choose JPG to ensure compatibility.)

Name: Choose whether to export photos with their filenames, iPhoto titles, or album name. Be sure to select the "Use extension" checkbox to add the file format extensions (such as ".jpg" or ".tiff") to the end of the photos' filenames, titles, or album names.

Click Export.

Choose a location for the photos you are exporting, then click OK. A good location would be your desktop where you can get to it easier.

When the export is finished, quit iPhoto.

Drag the folder that contains your exported photos onto the disc's icon (blank zip disk).

Burning a CD instructions would depend on what burner you have - external or Super Drive which was included on some Mac models.

Now to move your photos back to iPhoto.

From an email message, first drag the photos onto your hard drive - create a new folder on the desktop and place the photos in there.
---Just open the email and the picture should be in the body of the email. Move the mouse to the middle of the picture, then click and hold down the mouse button and then while still holding down the mouse button, drag the picture to the folder you created. When you reach the folder, release the mouse button.

After you have done this to all your pictures in your emails, Open iPhoto

Choose File > Add To Library.

Select the individual photos you want to import, or select an entire folder or disk.

Click Import.

Now you can do the same with the CD, selecting the photos from the CD and clicking on Import.

Let me know how you do.

Cheryl

winifredscarfe - Sep 4, 2006 - 1:04 pm

Thanks Cheryl, That all went well. I have transferred photos from the CD and some of the emails. They are all safely in iPhoto and I now have a lot to do sorting and finishing the transfers. Thank goodness I have so much room in my email and had not deleted. It was on my list of things to do! what a miracle. Thanks for the tip about the book. I am not sure I am good with manuals but perhaps I should try.

Should I close the ticket now? Thank you for your patience and help.

Enjoy your new school year. Best wishes, Win

Cheryl - Sep 4, 2006 - 1:24 pm

Win,

That Missing Manual book is not the normal manual. It is really helpful and I recommend it for all new Mac users.

I am glad that you are working smoothly and that you have recovered most of those pictures.

Cheryl