Thumbnail Cache Initialization Failed

[Andrew & Rebecca]

I recently purchased the upgrade version of Photoshop Elements 5.0 and used it to upgrade from Photoshop Album Starter Edition 3.2. The installation went smoothly, however, although the PS Elements Editor works ok, I cannot get the Organizer to work at all. Whenever I try to start the Organizer I receive an error stating "Thumbnail Cache Initialization Failed".

In addition, if I try to open a PSA file that was created in PS Album, I receive a message stating that the file was created by a prior version and needs to be converted. However, when I attempt to convert the file, I receive another error message stating that there was a problem converting the file. The message states: "The ODBC data source reported the following error: (internal error : data not found).

After researching various Adobe user forums, it appears that other users have also had these issues with PS Elements 5.0. I have tried all the suggestions offered to fix the problems, including:

1. Checking the PSA file permissions.
2. Running PS Elements in a simplified mode (ie all other applications and services disabled, including startup items).
3. Reinstalling PS Elements in a simplified mode.

I also checked the log file, and found that it reports the thumb.5.cache file is returning "eThumbailCacheInitializationFailed", however I am unable to find a thumb.5.cache file anywhere on the system. The only cache file I can find is tn.4.cache. I have tried renaming this file to thumb.5.cache, but still receive the same error messages.

So far, nothing has worked and I still receive exactly the same error message whenever I try to start the organizer. I would be grateful if anyone can help resolve this issue.

[NickLewis]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.:)

Does this post (http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/forum/showpost.php?p=188062&postcount=6) help at all? This user seems to have solved his version of the problem.

I also seem to remember someone else posting recently who didn't I'm afraid, but I can't find that thread for the moment.

Nick

[TonyW]

If it's any help the thumbs.5.cache (at least in Windows XP) should be in:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Catalog Folders\My PSE5 Catalog

where My PSE5 Catalog is whatever your new PSE5 Catalog is called. It's a hidden folder so you need to enable seeing hidden files and folders to see it. Not sure about the tn.4.cache as a recent discussion here indicated that it's from an older version of Elements (PSE3) and PSE5 shouldn't have one. Renaming wouldn't help and might give problems. If you can't find the thumbs.5.cache it sounds like PSE5 is having trouble building it for some reason and I think I'd be contacting Adobe Tech Support.

Tony

[Andrew & Rebecca]

Nick & Tony,

Thanks for your suggestions.

I did see the post you suggested Nick, but unfortunately it didn't help.

Tony, I've enabled hidden folders/files, but the thumb.5.cache file simply isn't there! As you said, I think PSE5 is having trouble building the file for some reason. Adobe and others have suggested installing/running PSE5 in simplified mode with all other applications and services disabled, and then try to narrow down the application that's causing the problem. Unfortunately, that didn't work either - with everything disabled I still receive the same error messages. I've contacted Adobe, but still waiting for a reply.

Reading this forum and others, I know at least a few other users have had exactly the same problems, but nobody has posted a fix as yet.

Thanks again.

Andrew