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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Thank you, TOM!!! -- iPhoto lost my pictures....
Deleychuk - Apr 10, 2006 - 9:23 pm
I just wanted to thank TOM. I read a message from Jennifer (Aug 2005) who had the same problem that I had. Tom gave her very detailed instructions. I followed the instructions and my pictures were restored to iphoto!!! WHEW!!!
I was terrified I'd really messed up. Apple only says don't mess with the pictures folder, not why or how to fix if you do something inadvertently.
I was attempting to set up another iphoto library to speed up iphoto, following instructions given by Jim Heid in his "The Macintosh iLife '05."
1. Quite iPhoto
2. Locate your iPhoto Library folder and rename it.
(I renamed it iPhoto Library-1)
3. Start iPhoto. iPhoto asks if you want to locate an existing library or creat a new one.
(BUT, iPhoto didn't ask me. AND my pictures were GONE. The albums, library, slide shows were in the Source column and the size info appeared in the info space, but I couldn't get the pictures, just squares where they should be).
I went back and changed the renamed "iPhoto Library-1, but still no pictures.
THANKS a MILLION, TOM!!! By helping Jennifer, you also helped me and probably many others! You are providing a great service. !!!!
Rita
I was terrified I'd really messed up. Apple only says don't mess with the pictures folder, not why or how to fix if you do something inadvertently.
I was attempting to set up another iphoto library to speed up iphoto, following instructions given by Jim Heid in his "The Macintosh iLife '05."
1. Quite iPhoto
2. Locate your iPhoto Library folder and rename it.
(I renamed it iPhoto Library-1)
3. Start iPhoto. iPhoto asks if you want to locate an existing library or creat a new one.
(BUT, iPhoto didn't ask me. AND my pictures were GONE. The albums, library, slide shows were in the Source column and the size info appeared in the info space, but I couldn't get the pictures, just squares where they should be).
I went back and changed the renamed "iPhoto Library-1, but still no pictures.
THANKS a MILLION, TOM!!! By helping Jennifer, you also helped me and probably many others! You are providing a great service. !!!!
Rita
Drumhum - Apr 12, 2006 - 3:49 pm
Thanks for your kind words. Its nice to know when folk are finding my waffle useful!
I suspect the reason Jim Heid's instructions did not work for you is that the instructions are for a more up-to-date version of iphoto than the one you have. The clue is in the fact iphoto did not ask you to locate or create a new library.
The latest version of iphoto (ie ilife), in my opinion, is worth every penny. If you wish to buy ilife 06 you can get it direct from the Apple store via www.apple.com, as well as other Apple resellers. make sure your computer is compatible though - you will need OS 10.3.9 at a minimum but I would recommend using 10.4.
More info on the latest iLife applications can be found here...
http://www.apple.com/ilife/
Glad to be of help - its what this site id for ;-)
Tom
I suspect the reason Jim Heid's instructions did not work for you is that the instructions are for a more up-to-date version of iphoto than the one you have. The clue is in the fact iphoto did not ask you to locate or create a new library.
The latest version of iphoto (ie ilife), in my opinion, is worth every penny. If you wish to buy ilife 06 you can get it direct from the Apple store via www.apple.com, as well as other Apple resellers. make sure your computer is compatible though - you will need OS 10.3.9 at a minimum but I would recommend using 10.4.
More info on the latest iLife applications can be found here...
http://www.apple.com/ilife/
Glad to be of help - its what this site id for ;-)
Tom
Drumhum - Apr 25, 2006 - 12:43 pm
You wrote in feedback...
----
Feedback: Actually, I am using OS 10.4.6 iphoto 5.04 and Jim Heid's book is "The Macintosh iLife '05." I tried his procedure again and still was not asked to "locate an existing library or create a new one." Possibly, the procedure changed with the .04 updates??? I don't know. But, I certainly don't want to risk losing my precious pictures. What I did was to drag the Pictures folder to my external hard drive and copy there. I have all except the recent ones on CDs or DVDs too. Now I need to make sure I have all of them and then put the early ones in the trash. Right? I still don't understand this multiple library idea and don't really trust it. One curious point you might be able to clear up is that the Pictures folder I drug to the external hard drive (from the internal hard drive) was 10.2 GB, but the Library in my iphoto source column is only 4.9 GB, 5508 photos. Sorry, I was so slow to answer. I was away on a trip and then wanted to try the making another library. But the help I received was really excellent and I am so glad I found you! I need this as most of the people I know do not have Macs or are too busy to help. This is MUCH, MUCH better than Apple's support. As far as updating to iLife 06, I had reviewed it when it came out, but didn't think the upgrades were worth the cost especially since iphoto was the only one that I would be using. However, I will take another look at it since you have recommended. THANK YOU, THANK YOU very much!!!
-----
In iLife 05 and later, if you start up iphoto while holding down the option key (the one labeled "alt"), iPhoto will ask you if you want to locate a library folder or create a new one.
I photo will only access one library at a time - you wont have two or more libraries listed in that left hand column in iphoto, just the one. If your library is large you may feel it makes sense to store the current library elsewhere and start afresh. You can do this in a few ways...
Iphoto will always look for the folder it was last told stored its pics, usually called "iPhoto Library", usually stored in your pictures folder. If you follow the instructions from Jim Heid's book and change the name of the iPhoto Library folder then iphoto wont know where its library is and will ask you to either locate it or create a new, empty one. So, Jim is suggesting to rename the folder (eg "iphoto library - old"), launch iPhoto and select "create new library" you will now have your original library stored on your computer but iphoto will not access it - it will have a new empty library ready to be filled up with new pics.
For the same result you could just move the iPhoto Library folder somewhere else and iphoto will ask you to create a new one when you start it up - with same result as before: a new empty library.
Or, start iPhoto with the alt key pressed and make a new Library when asked.
The good thing about Jim's method is that you give a new name to the original library so that helps you keep track of things.
If you want to look into your old library, just start up iPhoto with the alt key pressed down and select "locate library" you will now be asked to point out which folder is your desired library (perhaps "iphoto Library 2005" for eg).
An important point to understand is that all the photos you see in iphoto will be in that folder "iPhoto Library". If you store this folder to another drive or to DVD etc then you will have everything backed up. The "iphoto Library" folder does not have to be in the Pictures folder - its just a sensible place to keep it.
Seeing grey squares in the place of pictures in iPhoto, usually means iphoto has lost some info in the Library folder. Iphoto not only stores the original picture from your camera but also some special pics that provide the thumbnail previews of your photos - sometimes double clicking on a grey square to edit the picture brings up the proper photo - its just the thumbnail preview is missing for some reason (usually due to the user moving files/altering the file structure in the library folder).
Note also that when you edit a photo, iPhoto will keep (and hide from the user) the original unedited version. This is so you can get rid of edits or changes you've made to pictures, in the future (select a pic and chose "revert to original" from the "photos" menu).
As you've noted iphoto will tell you how big your library is - but this is telling you how much space all those photos you can see in your library take up - not how big the "iphoto Library" folder is. This folder also contains those thumbnail preview files and the original photos of the ones you've edited, so it will be much larger than what is quoted in iPhoto.
Once you are sure you have backed up any pictures then yes it is safe to delete the originals.
personally, I like to back-up my pictures in this way...
Create a folder on the desktop. Select the pictures in iphoto and drag them to that folder. Copies of the pics will be created in the folder. You will end up with a bunch of jpeg files in the folder. Store this folder to CD/DVD.
This way I have a disk with just picture files on, which can be easily read by other software and other computers. The problem with how iPhoto stores your pics in the "iphoto Library" folder is that its difficult to find what you want without iphoto. I loose albums, reels, comments/keywords, un-edited originals etc with this method though, so I also back-up my iPhoto Library folder in full from time to time. It all comes down to how much time you want to spend doing this sort of thing!
I hope this clears up some stuff for you. feel free to get back to me if you need to. Note, even though you've been told your support ticket has been closed (its automatic after a few days of inactivity) you can still reply to it and re-open the ticket.
regards
Tom
----
Feedback: Actually, I am using OS 10.4.6 iphoto 5.04 and Jim Heid's book is "The Macintosh iLife '05." I tried his procedure again and still was not asked to "locate an existing library or create a new one." Possibly, the procedure changed with the .04 updates??? I don't know. But, I certainly don't want to risk losing my precious pictures. What I did was to drag the Pictures folder to my external hard drive and copy there. I have all except the recent ones on CDs or DVDs too. Now I need to make sure I have all of them and then put the early ones in the trash. Right? I still don't understand this multiple library idea and don't really trust it. One curious point you might be able to clear up is that the Pictures folder I drug to the external hard drive (from the internal hard drive) was 10.2 GB, but the Library in my iphoto source column is only 4.9 GB, 5508 photos. Sorry, I was so slow to answer. I was away on a trip and then wanted to try the making another library. But the help I received was really excellent and I am so glad I found you! I need this as most of the people I know do not have Macs or are too busy to help. This is MUCH, MUCH better than Apple's support. As far as updating to iLife 06, I had reviewed it when it came out, but didn't think the upgrades were worth the cost especially since iphoto was the only one that I would be using. However, I will take another look at it since you have recommended. THANK YOU, THANK YOU very much!!!
-----
In iLife 05 and later, if you start up iphoto while holding down the option key (the one labeled "alt"), iPhoto will ask you if you want to locate a library folder or create a new one.
I photo will only access one library at a time - you wont have two or more libraries listed in that left hand column in iphoto, just the one. If your library is large you may feel it makes sense to store the current library elsewhere and start afresh. You can do this in a few ways...
Iphoto will always look for the folder it was last told stored its pics, usually called "iPhoto Library", usually stored in your pictures folder. If you follow the instructions from Jim Heid's book and change the name of the iPhoto Library folder then iphoto wont know where its library is and will ask you to either locate it or create a new, empty one. So, Jim is suggesting to rename the folder (eg "iphoto library - old"), launch iPhoto and select "create new library" you will now have your original library stored on your computer but iphoto will not access it - it will have a new empty library ready to be filled up with new pics.
For the same result you could just move the iPhoto Library folder somewhere else and iphoto will ask you to create a new one when you start it up - with same result as before: a new empty library.
Or, start iPhoto with the alt key pressed and make a new Library when asked.
The good thing about Jim's method is that you give a new name to the original library so that helps you keep track of things.
If you want to look into your old library, just start up iPhoto with the alt key pressed down and select "locate library" you will now be asked to point out which folder is your desired library (perhaps "iphoto Library 2005" for eg).
An important point to understand is that all the photos you see in iphoto will be in that folder "iPhoto Library". If you store this folder to another drive or to DVD etc then you will have everything backed up. The "iphoto Library" folder does not have to be in the Pictures folder - its just a sensible place to keep it.
Seeing grey squares in the place of pictures in iPhoto, usually means iphoto has lost some info in the Library folder. Iphoto not only stores the original picture from your camera but also some special pics that provide the thumbnail previews of your photos - sometimes double clicking on a grey square to edit the picture brings up the proper photo - its just the thumbnail preview is missing for some reason (usually due to the user moving files/altering the file structure in the library folder).
Note also that when you edit a photo, iPhoto will keep (and hide from the user) the original unedited version. This is so you can get rid of edits or changes you've made to pictures, in the future (select a pic and chose "revert to original" from the "photos" menu).
As you've noted iphoto will tell you how big your library is - but this is telling you how much space all those photos you can see in your library take up - not how big the "iphoto Library" folder is. This folder also contains those thumbnail preview files and the original photos of the ones you've edited, so it will be much larger than what is quoted in iPhoto.
Once you are sure you have backed up any pictures then yes it is safe to delete the originals.
personally, I like to back-up my pictures in this way...
Create a folder on the desktop. Select the pictures in iphoto and drag them to that folder. Copies of the pics will be created in the folder. You will end up with a bunch of jpeg files in the folder. Store this folder to CD/DVD.
This way I have a disk with just picture files on, which can be easily read by other software and other computers. The problem with how iPhoto stores your pics in the "iphoto Library" folder is that its difficult to find what you want without iphoto. I loose albums, reels, comments/keywords, un-edited originals etc with this method though, so I also back-up my iPhoto Library folder in full from time to time. It all comes down to how much time you want to spend doing this sort of thing!
I hope this clears up some stuff for you. feel free to get back to me if you need to. Note, even though you've been told your support ticket has been closed (its automatic after a few days of inactivity) you can still reply to it and re-open the ticket.
regards
Tom
Deleychuk - Apr 26, 2006 - 8:28 pm
Hi Tom!
I did it! And it worked. Made a CD of pics that needed a back up and those that didn't fit I put in a folder on the desktop as you suggested. So I've tried a few different methods. I have them all backed up on my external too and some on my ipod.
It was a bit scary as I didn't understand how to get back to my old iphoto library, but figured it out. Then right after I re-opened the old library in iphoto, it suddenly QUIT. I opened again from the window offered and got iphoto with gray squares. Clicking on one I got a whirring ball which I got tired of waiting on. I Quit and reopened holding the option key. I clicked Choose Library and under Pictures, I scrolled down and there were 4 iphoto Libraries.
1-the new one, iphoto Library - May 2006 -- it is empty
2-iphoto Library -- it has 5364 gray squares with the source listing, albums, etc.
3- iphoto Library -- this is my OLD one -- 5501 Pictures with all info.
4- iphoto Library -1 -- this too is empty
So I need to remember to click on the 3rd one to get to the 0ld library.
This was quite an experience. Thank you for your patience and valiant efforts to explain to a novice. You really entended my knowledge of this process. I really appreciate all your help. THANKS a MILLION!! Rita
I did it! And it worked. Made a CD of pics that needed a back up and those that didn't fit I put in a folder on the desktop as you suggested. So I've tried a few different methods. I have them all backed up on my external too and some on my ipod.
It was a bit scary as I didn't understand how to get back to my old iphoto library, but figured it out. Then right after I re-opened the old library in iphoto, it suddenly QUIT. I opened again from the window offered and got iphoto with gray squares. Clicking on one I got a whirring ball which I got tired of waiting on. I Quit and reopened holding the option key. I clicked Choose Library and under Pictures, I scrolled down and there were 4 iphoto Libraries.
1-the new one, iphoto Library - May 2006 -- it is empty
2-iphoto Library -- it has 5364 gray squares with the source listing, albums, etc.
3- iphoto Library -- this is my OLD one -- 5501 Pictures with all info.
4- iphoto Library -1 -- this too is empty
So I need to remember to click on the 3rd one to get to the 0ld library.
This was quite an experience. Thank you for your patience and valiant efforts to explain to a novice. You really entended my knowledge of this process. I really appreciate all your help. THANKS a MILLION!! Rita
Drumhum - Apr 27, 2006 - 7:03 am
Rita,
one more tip...
Regarding that library you have with the grey squares for pictures...
By starting iphoto with the alt and apple keys (aka option and command keys) held sown iphoto will give you various options for re-building the structure of the iPhoto libarary. This can be useful if, for some reason, the library has got a bit messed up.
Its a process worth trying if...
a) you are seeing grey squares (rebuilding the thumbnail's may sort this out)
b) pictures have gone missing but you know they are there somewhere
c) iPhoto has suddenly become slow.
let me know if I can help further. Enjoy your pics:-)
regards
tom
one more tip...
Regarding that library you have with the grey squares for pictures...
By starting iphoto with the alt and apple keys (aka option and command keys) held sown iphoto will give you various options for re-building the structure of the iPhoto libarary. This can be useful if, for some reason, the library has got a bit messed up.
Its a process worth trying if...
a) you are seeing grey squares (rebuilding the thumbnail's may sort this out)
b) pictures have gone missing but you know they are there somewhere
c) iPhoto has suddenly become slow.
let me know if I can help further. Enjoy your pics:-)
regards
tom
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