Find the correct folder with My Computer. Then you will know how to navigate in the dialog.
Wil
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Still hasn't worked! The question marks disappear alright, the particular file comes up under Develop, but the remainder of the files in the particular folder remain blank, although the question marks are still gone.
Seamus
PS I seem to have got the hang of it now. Thanks
PPS: Now I find myself having to manually go into every single folder (stored on an external drive) via MY COMPUTER, finding the relevant file as suggested, and opening it. This process activates the system and the database reimports the files. Fair enough, but this is a very laborious process as I have several thousand pictures to deal with. Surely there must be some easier way to re-establish the connection with the actual database itself. Obvioulsy not all files out of so many are in the library. If they are, the relevant import window tells you so and and offers to 'show' them - in effect, find them. But this doesn't avoid the task of having to deal with all folders one at a time. Is there a shortcut to do this.
Something else: I have some backup databases which when opened, show no pictures in the library - zilch. Another database shows something like ten pictures. Only one folder shows the total number. Many of these folders are in red type, while those that have been found and 'activated' by me manually are in white type.
Is all of this a weakness in LIGHTROOM or, more probably, is is there something I am doing incorrectly at the first import stage. I usually download to a folder on the desktop first, giving me an independent source should something subsequently go wrong. I then open that folder and proceed to import the files I want into Lightroom, using the check/uncheck boxes to select those I want. Meanwhile, all the files are still available in the desktop folder which can be stored on independent external drives for security purposes.
Despite the advice here, for which I am very grateful, I have an instictive feeling that there must be an easier way to go about this task. Neither am I satisfied that Lightroom could lose contact with its own database so easily.If this is the case, then I woudl be very worried. What happens down the line if the same thing reoccurs, only this time there are many, many more folders 'lost' in the system.
I would love to hear some thoughts on this as a general topic - I cannot be the only one on planet earth to whom it has happened, and I'm sure people like me who are reasonably computer literate but not technical experts would appreciate a few tips to avoid the kind of hard labour I now find myself having to do - instead of being out taking pictures. By the way, this is not a rant. Far from it. I think Lightroom is a really good application and I am genuinely interested in finding a long-term solution to a problem which I fear may crop up again at some time when there are tens of thousands of folders to worry about!
Regards to all.
