Reinstalling PSE5

[Wags374]

Before I had to reformat my hard drive yesterday I copied the PSE file to my external hard drive. It appears to have copied all my extras - but I'm not sure how to go about reinstalling on my hard drive. Can't reinstall from the copy, but if I reinstall from the disc, how do I get my settings/extras back?

Been trying to figure out a logical way to do this for a couple of hours, but I think my brain is fried!

Thanks in advace for any help you can offer!!

[Juergen D]

You will have to (re)install from the original program CD. Once done, copy the plug-ins from your EHD into their folder(s). To find everything, open up two Explorer windows, side by side in Details view and compare. After copying Artwork and Effects items, be sure to press and hold the Shift key when starting Elements.
If you have saved the preferences files, you can copy those, too.

Juergen

[Wags374]

Thanks! :)

[GaryK]

Hi Jane

Looks like you are getting closer to normal.:)

The only ones (plugins) you may have a problem with are the ones that had an install routine. The Dreamy Photo one comes to mind. Those should be reinstalled and not just dragged over.

[Juergen D]

Jane and Gary,
I have an old (free) version of Dreamy Photo, which I copied from PSE2 to PSE3 and PSE5 over time. Works in all cases. I guess the stand-alone version may have to be installed separately, and things may be different with the new version of Dreamy Photo. I would try the copying, it can't really do any harm.

Juergen

[Wags374]

I don't think I even have "dreamy photo". Sounds interesting.... :)

I will be so happy when I have PSE back up and working - have seen some really neat stuff that I wanted to add last week, but had to do the delayed gratification thing... :D

[Wags374]

My custom shapes, brushes, patterns and textures copied. But I did lose a few layer styles - not sure why some copied and other didn't. Guess I now have an "excuse" to poke around over at Adobe Studio Exchange (http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/exchange/index.cfm)... :)

My stuff from Panos didn't copy and neither did my stuff from Graffi - except for the add-o-matic. :D

[GaryK]

Jane

Did it not copy or just not show up?

Did you try holding shift on elements bootup??.. I had to do that with Jodi's Styles.

[Wags374]

I tried the shift key on start up, but certain files just were not there or appeared to be corrupted. Fortunately I still have a download left on Graffi's Handy Actions, so I'll go and get that today. Downloaded Panos freebies last night, need to check if I still have a download available of the paid actions.

If nothing else this has taught me to be much more organized about how I download and store stuff. :)

My work month starts in earnest today - hopefully the program that caused all the problems will be fine. But if I ever do have to go through this process again I will be much better prepared!