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Hey--Somehow my wife and I managed to lose every photo we have on IPhoto. Any advice on recovering them? Bummed. Thanks.

Did you just delete the photos from iphoto or did you delete the actual iphoto library file? I assume you;re not using a time capsule or some sort of back up?

I came home from work and the computer was dead. I'm not sure what happened prior to that, i.e. photos deleted or library file deleted. Although I'm not sure what a library file is.

You've got it, no time capsule or back up.

So is your computer still dead or did you get it running? If its dead I would take it to an Apple store to see what they can do for you. If you've got it running there are some file recovery software options. Also if you've got it running try not use it too much as if files get written over where the photos were on the drive they will be very difficult or impossible to recover.

So you didn't necessarily delete the photos your computer just crashed?

My wife was using the computer, I believe IPhoo, when it crashed. When I got home and the computer was dead I just held in the start button until it restarted. I'll tell my wife to stop using the computer now. Any recommendations on the software? Thanks for your help.

So now that its running I assume its running fine other than your photos being gone? When you now open iphoto you have no photos right? Open up finder and look in the pictures folder and what files are in there and let me know.

Yep, everything is running fine except the photos are gone. Yep, no photos is iphoto.

The files are: iPhoto Library, a couple jpegs that I put in there, MP Navigator EX, and a couple of folders with photos in them that my wife created.

right click on the iphoto library file and click on show package contents. Another finder window will open and if you're lucky your photos may still be in there, but iphoto should recognize them if they were. Weird that they disappeared. I assume the MP Navigator is something from your camera right?

Success!! Dude, you saved me a bunch of dough!! All photos located. Thanks so much. Looks like I have to come ride in the NW and buy you a beer or six. Thanks again

Cool. You're welcome, glad I was able to help. I was just about to send you another idea. Glad you got them back. There should be two folders in there labeled originals and modified. The modified may or may not have all your photos in it, just ones you modified and the originals will have, well your originals.

I've almost lost all my photos before, I was devastated (until I recovered them). Now I back all my stuff up in multiple places.

Yep, we'll be backing our shit up now fo sho. Is there a way, other than manually, to put the pictures from the originals and modified folders back into iPhoto?

Thanks again.

Try this:

Hold down the option and command buttons while opening iphoto and keep holding them until a dialog box opens. There should be some rebuild options for you to choose from. I haven't actually done this myself so I don't know what the options are, but give them a try.

FIRST I would copy your originals folder (maybe the modified one too or just copy the whole damn iphoto library file) somewhere else (maybe an external drive) just in case something goes wrong while trying to rebuild.

Yo Eco. I just saw this thread today.

Glad J was able to help and glad you found the pics!