Can't convert exist catalog from PSE5 to PSE6

[noznozs]

I just installed PSE6 and attempted to convert my existing PSE5 catalog but received the error message 'The conversion operation failed. Try repairing the catalog with the software that created it and retry conversion. The catalog works just fine in PSE5 and I went under the File menu and 'recovered' the catalog. However, it still won't convert into PSE6. Any suggestions?

Marshall Greiman

[jazzfisher]

Hi Marshall,
I'm having the exact same problem--I've recovered my 5.0 catalog at least 10 times now & still can not get it to covert it. I too am at a loss as to what to try next--I have over 50,000 photos organized & tagged I do not want to have to start ove again.
Any help out there for Marshall & me?

[Dee H.]

I dont have pse6 yet but I did find these instructions on page 105 of the pdf user guide. Sorry I dont have more information.

Convert a catalog
You can convert catalogs made with previous versions of Photoshop Elements, or with Photoshop Album, so that
you can use them in the current version of Photoshop Elements.
1 Select File > Catalog.
2 Click convert.
The convert Catalog dialog box opens and searches the default locations for the catalogs of Photoshop Elements and
Photoshop Album.
3 (Optional) To browse additional locations for catalogs, click Find More Catalogs, and browse to the locations.
4 Select a catalog from the list to convert, and click Convert.
5 To close the Convert Catalog dialog box, click Done.

[jazzfisher]

Thank you Dee, I saw that as well--also on the adobe site they say pretty much the same thing. But it doesn't tell you what to do if that doesn't work!!! I just went through my catalog to make sure everything is reconnected--do another recover now. will report back the results later.

[ATR]

Have you checked out this Adobe TechNote about common catalog issues when upgrading?

http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=kb402592&sliceId=1

ATR

[jazzfisher]

Thanks ATR,
Yes that is the article I was referring to earlier.

[noznozs]

Thanks ATR. I read the article but it doesn't answer the question as to how to determine what is actually wrong with the previous catalog or how to 'repair' the catalog to allow conversion to occcur. I've tried reinstalling PSE6, 'recovering' the PSE5 catalog, and still can't get the catalog to convert.

[jazzfisher]

Marshall,
I finally am converting right now. Here's what I did--I made sure everything was reconnected--then I did a recover. Closed the program, reopened, double checked that nothing was disconnected, saved catalog with a new name. Did another recover (don't know if this is all necessary) closed the program. Opened 6.0 & converted (my current catalog) then I picked the newly named one.
Hope this works for you.

[noznozs]

Thanks Sherry. I'll give it a try and let you know what happens.


Marshall

[jazzfisher]

Marshall
Let me know. My just completed right now--I have lots of photos & it really didn't take long at all.

[noznozs]

I have just over 20,000 files in my catalog and once I got everything reconnected and then recovered the catalog it converted. I didn't have to rename the file or close and reopen PSE5. Thanks for your help!

Marshall

[noznozs]

I have over 20,000 files in my catalog and once I found the few which were disconnected and either deleted them from the catalog or reconnected them, I recovered the catalog. PSE6 was then able to successfully make the conversion. Thanks for your help.

[jazzfisher]

Yeah!!! Glad we got it figured out!! Happy shooting!