PSE5 'not responding' to this non-techie

[laureno]

Please put up with me for 30sec (or more)
I think this is the basic system info. you might need to help me:
I've got a Dell with a Pent. Dual Cpu and 3GB RAM
I've just started digital scrapbooking and went to open my latest page this morning. PSE5.0.2 opens fine, then I try to open the file and it freezes. I tried opening ANY PSD or JPEG file and it freezes. Hitting ctrl+Alt+del just tells me it's not responding. I've tried repairing, uninstalling/ reinstall and updates. Nothing has worked? Any suggestions on what to try next? Thanks!!

[Jeff Perry]

Laureno, are you running Windows XP, or Vista? Are you saving to a local hard drive or an external drive or a drive on network?

Do you use Organizer, and is it working?

Have you tried to create a new file? File>New>Blank File...
Do all the other edit functions work?

Fill the background layer with a color.
Try doing a File Save and save it as a JPG. Does that work?
Try doing a Save As and saving as a PSD. Does that work?

If that works, close the file, and then try to reopen it.

Also, does "File>Open As" work? Try opening a JPG as in Adobe Camera Raw using Open As and change the format to Camera Raw.

Jeff

[laureno]

Hey Jeff
THANK YOU!!!! for your help! Seriously, I'm in so far over my head it's not funny. I've never even been to a forum until yesterday...
I'm running XP, saving to a local hard drive- but I've got a 500GB backup external drive that I can have hooked up if needed.
I tried the organizer (I usually skip it) - it loads just fine.
Attempted a newfile and couldn't get it to open- it went 'non responsive again.
Tried opening an PSD in Raw- couldn't do it got a "could not complete due to program error"

How in the world did I break this? It has been running fine for a month! And now Poof! All these problems. Would upgrading to PSE7 solve any of this? Or is it a waste until I figure out what caused this bug??

[dj_paige]

Try deleting the editor's preferences
http://www.elementsvillage.com/forums/showpost.php?p=436844&postcount=6

[laureno]

Thank You for the link. I tried it- no luck.
I've googled "photoshop 5 not responding" and tried all fixes I can find- so far nothing.

[Jeff Perry]

Laureno, instead of trying to open a PSD as a camera raw file, try opening a JPG as a camera raw file. Camera RAW will only recognize certain file formats.

File>Open As> in in the format drop down, select Camera Raw.
Now navigate to a JPG and open it.

This is a very curious problem, especially if a complete uninstall/reinstall didn't fix it. Have you installed any new software, plug-ins, or hardware very recently?

Often, an uninstall, does not really remove all traces of a program's existence, sometimes leaving remnant settings in the Windows Registry. If some setting have somehow been corrupted, then every time you reinstall, it is picking up the corrupted settings. A new Version of Elements, will create its own settings and my not pick up any "bad habits" left behind from the previous version.

There are some Registry cleaning utilities (e.g., PCTOOLS Registry Mechanic) that will clear out the garbage left behind by software that doesn't clean up after itself. This should be used AFTER an uninstall. The reinstall Elements.

As for your upgrade question, it is possible that an upgrade to 6 or 7 might solve the problem. You can down load the Trial version of 7 and give it run. You do not need to uninstall 5 in order to install 7.

Jeff

[laureno]

Thanks Again Jeff!
I went through everything I've done and downloaded since my last successful PSE launch. Turns out MDH downloaded some software to help our wireless printer. After several hours of work we got everything running again. Very weird how everything is connected! :) Again, thank you for your help!!

[Jeff Perry]

Laureno, so glad you got it all working. Keep in mind that in the Windows environment, when installing something new, both hardware and software, there is always a good chance for conflict, unfortunately some of those do'nt show up for some time after the installation (e.g., install a new scanner, and don't use a specific software application for three weeks after, then find out the app no longer works).

It is always a good idea to periodically create a "restore point", so you can revert back to a "last know working condition". Do this BEFORE installing any new hardware pr software, and reverting to a working condition is easy if something goes wrong. Again, glad everyrthing worked out.

Jeff

[stevenm]

Laureno, By any chance is your wireless printer an Hp. I had a very similar problem the last few days where an hp printer patch fould up my system. pse editor loaded file very slow or totally froze. Would appreciate knowing if this was the problem


Thanks Again Jeff!
I went through everything I've done and downloaded since my last successful PSE launch. Turns out MDH downloaded some software to help our wireless printer. After several hours of work we got everything running again. Very weird how everything is connected! :) Again, thank you for your help!!