Keep getting a Program Error

[Wags374]

"Could not complete your request because of a program error."

I get this error message every time I open PSE5 - before I even try to do anything.

I also can't find the sharpen filter anywhere, and I can't get the clone, healing brush, eraser etc to work... (cookie cutter and crop still work)

Anyone have any ideas on what to do?

[Wendy]

Hi Jane ...

Have you had PSE5 running OK before today or have you just installed it ?? :)

Wendy

[kevq]

Jane,
I found that if you have any plug ins, styles or actions etc that are not compatible with 5 or are in the wrong location it brings up this message.
Check everything you have added to 5, it's a pain, took me a while to find what caused on my PC.
Kev:) :)

[DMurray407]

I had a little problem finding the unsharp filter too-they moved it to the enhance menu.
Deb

[graficalicus]

"Could not complete your request because of a program error."

I get this error message every time I open PSE5 - before I even try to do anything.

I get this when another family member is logged on to our computer, and/or there's 2+ users on at the same time - instead of using "Switch User" in XP, the other person(s) have to be logged out.

maybe that's it?

[Wags374]

Well I thought it was running okay after install, but now I'm not so sure since I didn't try out everything that first evening.

I found the unsharp mask finally - thanks!

No error message this morning - but I'm still not able to access, clone, healing, eraser etc.... seems to be hit and miss with what works and what doesn't. Oh and the flyout menus don't work either. :(

The only things I have added I added using Graffi's add-o-matic - and it is supposed to put everything where it goes and not allow anything that isn't compatible - or so I thought.

Do you think I should uninstall and start over with a clean slate?

[graficalicus]

yep - all the add-o-matic does is put shapes in with shapes, brushes in with brushes, patterns in with patterns, etc. I've had no issues in just about a month of using it. It doesn't alter any operating files - just copies extras.

has anything else changed on your system? Any other apps acting weird?

[Wags374]

Everything else seems to be fine.

[graficalicus]

The only things I have added I added using Graffi's add-o-matic - and it is supposed to put everything where it goes and not allow anything that isn't compatible - or so I thought.

it'll look for file types that are compatible - the actual line of code says something like
"if Ext$ <> .atn, .csh, .pat, .8bf, .asl, .abr Then
Message("blah blah not a suitable file type","")

or something similar.

however, if you've added plugins, for example, it just looks at the plugin extension (*.8bf) - - it can't check to see if that particular plugin is compatible with v5. Same with brush sets, styles, etc.

I'd check the plugins directory first, like kevq said (C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop Elements 5.0\Plug-Ins\) and remove the new ones (if you added them with Add-O-Matic, they'll be the only ones not in a folder inside that directory, and they'll have an .8bf extension - that's the only plugin format Add-O will accept), then add them back one by one until you find the culprit.

[graficalicus]

another thing to check -

PSE is a memory hog - you mentioned somewhere else that your computer is three years old, but has plenty of memory -

check to make sure that all your drivers and service packs are up-to-date, too - should have SP2 and .NET - check the Windows Update utility on your system:

from http://update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/v6/thanks.aspx?ln=en&&thankspage=5

" If you prefer to use a different web browser, you can obtain updates from the Microsoft Download Center or you can stay up to date with the latest critical and security updates by using Automatic Updates. To turn on Automatic Updates:

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Depending on which Control Panel view you use, Classic or Category, do one of the following:
* Click System, and then click the Automatic Updates tab.
* Click Performance and Maintenance, click System, and then click the Automatic Updates tab.
3. Click the option that you want. Make sure Automatic Updates is not turned off. "

see if that helps? PSE is pretty advanced, and will require that drivers be current...

[Wags374]

I have auto update - required for work, plus I manually check at the start of every month and clean my 'puter every month too.

I will go back through and check what I added. With the exception of Grants tools (I just downloaded the PSE5 set) and the Graffi Handy Actions pack (which was also new), everything else is things that I had working in PSE3. And I hadn't gotten around to moving in my stuff from Panos yet.

At least it will be a relative short list of things to check, since I didn't come close to adding everything yet.

[graficalicus]

everything else is things that I had working in PSE3. And I hadn't gotten around to moving in my stuff from Panos yet.

i guess, as you probably know by now :D , just because it worked in 3 doesn't mean it'll work in 5!

[Wags374]

Yeah I know.... I'll start checking on it when the kids go down for naps today, I was really hoping to join them, but this is driving me nuts, so I probably would just lay there thinking about it instead of sleeping anyway. :rolleyes:

(Both kids have colds and were up more than they were asleep last night....)

[graficalicus]

ah, naps......

at what age do naps stop being a bad thing? :D

[Wags374]

I dunno, I'm sure there was a point in my life when I didn't like them, but I really can't remember when.... :D

[GaryK]

Jane

If it is any consolation I had a similar problem with the try before you buy version of 5. I had it running and all was good ..nesxt day I added some things from 3 and I couldn't open the program. I reinstalled it and lost the "try" part of the program:D .. my timer ran out.

I bought it last weekend and got the same error message that I was getting after moving some filters from 3. So now I am just putting the filters in 1 by 1 until I find the culprit. Funny thng is I have moved all my favs and still not message so I might not bother with the rest.:D

[Wags374]

Gary - that is a small consulation, at least I can tell myself it isn't just me being a dumb blonde.

I finally uninstalled and reinstalled PSE5 - and have NOT add a thing to it. These are the items that are still NOT working: :mad:

Healing tools
Clone tools
Dodge/Burn tools
Eraser tools
Brushes - default, pen pressure and dry media - the others work...

I was so excited to be able to get PSE5 - and now its becoming a real drag... sigh...

[Wendy]

Hi Jane ...

Delete the prefs file ... thats something that doesn't get deleted when you do a re-install.

To delete the prefs:

Close down Elements then click on the Editor start up icon and quickly hold down the Control, Alt and Shift keys. Continue to hold down all three keys until you get a screen asking if you want to delete Settings ... just say Yes.
I'll keep my fingers crossed :)

Wendy

[Wags374]

Oh I wish that would have worked - but nothing has changed. :(

[GaryK]

Jane

No expert here, but when you did the uninstall did you go into the foders and make sure they were all deleted.
Sometimes bits stay behind.

So if you do another uninstall I would browse to the
program files>adobe
and delete any folder in there that looks like a elements 5 folder (I believe there are two)
I would then go to the
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Photoshop Elements
and delete the Elements 5 folder from there as well.
Then do a reinstall.

I hope somebody else can come up with a better idea.:(

[Wags374]

No I didn't even think about having to delete anything else.

[GaryK]

Jane

I usually look after my fourth uninstall/reinstall hasn't worked.:D

In this case it may only uninstall things that it has installed so if there is none standard file or folder it could have been left untouched.

On other thing I just had to do a few minutes ago was hold down the shift key during the loading sequence to get the styles and effects folder to rebuild.

Apparently this is a hit and miss sort of thing .. some say they have to do it.... some say they don't. I've had both situations:D

[Wags374]

I've uninstalled and reinstalled 7 times now..... and still have the same problem. I'm wondering if maybe I just have a lemmon.... seriously considering asking for an exchange at Staples.

It's bad enough this week that my camera was broken beyond repair....now this disappointment. :(

Yup, I'm having a little woe-is-me party...