[Davecat]

Hmmm... a strange one this. iPhoto 4.03 is showing all photos prior to my last import as being blank icons in the preview pane. Most have the name associated with them. When I double click on the blank preview icon, the following alert comes up "Missing File - The file "(null)" can't be found." Would have inserted some small inline images for clarity but haven't figured out how to do that yet!

Now this isn't a hair-on-fire emergency as all the original jpg files are tucked away in the library where they are supposed to be, they just do not want to show up correctly in the preview pane of iPhoto. Ultimately, I can pop into the terminal and copy all *.jpg to another directory and then import them back into iPhoto. Just want to try and find a simpler answer.

I tried to rebuild the library using the command-option-shift selection on iPhoto startup but while this seems to go well, in the final stages, iPhoto crashes.

Perhaps deleting and reloading iPhoto should be my next option?

Currently running OS 10.3.7 which was installed about the time this happened, but I think timing is merely coincidental. More likely the kids inadvertently deleted a necessary file - can't blame the dog as she can't use the mouse. OK, OK, I may have deleted a necessary file.

Appreciate any help.

Davecat

[Krusty]

Sounds like one of your iPhoto "helper" files has been deleted/corrupted somewhere. Check, for instance, in "Album Data.xml" under the "Master Image List" node. It should show paths to both the original file and the thumb. Pick a image that you are having a problem with and see if these values are correct.

If one of your files has been corrupted or lost the appropriate info, the best recommendation I can give is exactly what you mentioned ... back up all originals, clear out the "iPhoto Library" directory entirely and re-import the whole lot of them. It'd be hard to troubleshoot in exactly which file the problem exists or which file is missing.



[sidenote] I've include two examples. One of an inline image, and one of a linked image with a thumbnail preview. Hit the "Reply" button directly above my post and you will be able to see the proper syntax for both types. Since you are new here, I'll let you know in advance that, with the exception of specific picture threads, no images can be greater than 480pix in width ... so make sure to make a thumb (or just a straight link) if the image you want to post is wider than that

Example thumbnailed image (showing what I was talking about looking for in Album Data.xml):


Example Inline image:

[Davecat]

Thanks much, I will investigate further when I get a chance. Also thanks for the image pointers.

Davecat

[Davecat]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Krusty:
[B]Sounds like one of your iPhoto "helper" files has been deleted/corrupted somewhere. Check, for instance, in "Album Data.xml" under the "Master Image List" node. It should show paths to both the original file and the thumb. Pick a image that you are having a problem with and see if these values are correct.

If one of your files has been corrupted or lost the appropriate info, the best recommendation I can give is exactly what you mentioned ... back up all originals, clear out the "iPhoto Library" directory entirely and re-import the whole lot of them. It'd be hard to troubleshoot in exactly which file the problem exists or which file is missing.

Krusty,

An excellent pick-up, thanks. Paths to the original and the thumbnail were somehow deleted. A couple of command lines in the terminal copied all my data into a new directory and I then imported back into iPhoto after deleting the original (corrupted) library. Worked like a charm.

Many thanks,

David