Milbo? Jenkinhill? - Attaching images in bulk

[sagepos]

I would appreciate it if someone could explain how Virtuemart handles images.
What fields in what tables need to be updated?  Does anyone have an sql script to update the connections?
I have tried to use import programs to update the connections but none of them have worked.  Is this a bug in Virtuemart 2.12f?

I type in the path/image name manually in the product page and save it only to have Virtuemart delete it all.
Then I import an image manually and it fills in the same information!  Obviously there is something else going on that isn't apparent.
Is there documentation that explains this?

Is there no native connection feature?
I have tried to use the 'Synchronize media to Virtuemart' but it gives a 'Found prior migration process, resume migration maxScriptTime 47 maxMemoryLimit 242' error message.
I searched but can't find anything to help.  Is this button even supposed to help or is it actually for something else?

Joomla 2.5.6
VM 2.12f

We are trying to go live and could really use some help.

Thanks,
Sagepos