iPhoto 7.1.5: slow launch/load times
Some users have experienced slowdowns in launch times or image loading times after applying the iPhoto 7.1.5 update.
Some users have experienced slowdowns in launch times or image loading times after applying the iPhoto 7.1.5 update.
Apple Discussions poster nonacj writes:
"The program opens quickly and shows thumbnails but disc symbol will begin to rotate and it takes full minute before usable...I have 2300 photos total with 1.82GB sized library...I was originally on my G4 ibook and even when it only had 512MB ram it [loaded] faster than now.
iPhoto can slow down for a variety of reasons, including corruption in aspects of the user's library and iPhoto's inability to locate various resources such as Bonjour photo sharing. There are several potential speed-up fixes.
Fixes
Rebuild the iPhoto library The first thing to try is a rebuild of the iPhoto library. To do this, launch iPhoto with the option and command keys held down; a window with rebuild options will present itself. Next, check every option and click the rebuild button. This can take a long time for users that have large libraries.
Users might also try using the third-party iPhoto Library Manager software and apply its "rebuild" functions to the iPhoto library as well.
Turn off unneeded options in iPhoto Depending on how your system is configured, certain options in iPhoto can cause the program to slow down. This is particularly true for network services such as Bonjour sharing. If Bonjour photo sharing is not used, we recommend that users try turning it off by unchecking the options to search for and share libraries in the "Sharing" section of the iPhoto preferences.
Turn off photo sharing settings iPhoto has several options to publish an album to MobileMe, and to subscribe to photo feeds. It is possible these factors could result in slow launches as the program tries to update the subscriptions and publications. It is recommended that users try turning off these options as a troubleshooting step for this problem. The MobileMe settings are available in the iPhoto preferences, and users can try temporarily unsubscribing from any photo feeds.
Delete iPhoto preference files and repair permissions It is possible a corruption in the iPhoto preference file could cause this problem. And if none of the previous fixes work we recommend that users remove the iPhoto preferences file. This file is called com.apple.iPhoto.plist and is located in the /username/Library/Preferences/ folder. Additionally, users might try repairing permissions on the boot drive using Disk Utility.
Previous coverage:
- iPhoto 7.1.5 (#2): Unexpectedly quits/freezes soon after launch
- iPhoto 7.1.5 reportedly fixes longstanding gallery bug
Some users have reported an issue in which iPhoto 7.1.5 unexpectedly quits soon after launch or freezes indefinitey, necessitating a force-quit.
One MacFixIt reader writes:
"When I go to open iPhoto now it opens and then about five seconds later the cursor turns into a spinning ball and I am forced to force quit. [...] Now I am left with not being able to open my photos at all."
Problematic media In some cases, this issue is caused by problematic video, images, etc. that are stored in the individual user's media folders:
- ~/Music
- ~/Movies
- ~/Photos
It now appears that the stalls may, in some cases, not be indefinite, but rather abnormally long and simply caused by the presence of extensive media libraries that must go through a similarly extensive scanning process.
When you see the spinning pinwheel, it's an indication that the main thread has been busy and is unresponsive for more than 5 seconds. It doesn't necessarily indicate an interminable hang, but is sometimes a precursor to one.
To check if an application has stalled permanently, without a good chance of recovery, check Activity Monitor (located in /Applications/Utilities as described here. There are some tell-tale signs, like extremely high processor usage (sometimes above 100%). You can also click the "Inspect" button after selecting the stalled application and check the "Recent hangs" total.
Rebuild database In some cases, this issue can be resolved by rebuilding the iPhoto database. This can be accomplished by launching iPhoto while holding down either the control or Command key. A menu will pop up and ask if you want to rebuild the photo files database. You should then check all the boxes and allow iPhoto to rebuild the database.
Delete iPhoto plist Finally, try deleting the file com.apple.iPhoto.plist then relaunching iPhoto.
Feedback? http://www.macfixit.com/contact.
Previous coverage:
iPhoto 7.1.5 reportedly fixes longstanding gallery bugReports indicate that iPhoto 7.1.5 fixes an issue in which the application does not properly publish MobileMe galleries, delviering the message "Gallery Not Found" or "This album is unavailable.'
Apple's release notes indicate only that the update improves printing quality of books, cards and calendars ordered via the iPhoto printing service, so it is unclear whether these improvements are the result of the iPhoto update or MobileMe enhancements.
Problems after updating to iPhoto 7.1.5? Please let us know.
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