Lightroom Catalog Error

I'm just learning about Cataloging in Lightroom 3.4 and I'm having an issue. When I create a "New Catalog", I choose the location, enter the name of the catalog, then click "OK". Lightroom shuts down then restarts as if it is going to open my new catalog, then I get an error that the Catalog can't be found and either use default, or create a new one. I then go through the process again by creating a new one and the Catalog is successfully created at that time.

I've noticed on the first attempt in the process it creates the folder, but never the files. Is there something I'm doing wrong or is it a Lightroom problem?

If it is happening exactly as you say without you doing anything additionally, then it sounds like LR is misbehaving. But, I've never heard of that kind of behavior -- creating a new catalog is pretty straightforward. When you look at the folder for the new catalog is there a .lrcat file in there?

If so, try pressing Ctl when you start Lightroom -- does the new catalog show up, or the old one? From that dialog you should also be able to browse to another one, and once you open that it becomes the new "sticky" catalog.

But for the initial problem, I don't know -- you could check in with the Lightroom Users Forum and see if anyone has had a similar problem:

http://forums.adobe.co​m/community/lightroom

It's as I say, however it prompts me to open, create or use default. It does not create the appropriate files, however it does create the new folder. I believe it might be misbehavior as you say. I watched some tutorials and it seemed as simple as creating a folder in windows. It's just not doing it properly!

When you say it creates a new folder, do you mean the folder named "xxx Previews lrdata"? Next to it in whatever folder you have designated as the location for the catalog you should have a file called "xxx.lrcat". That is your new catalog. In the Previews folder you will not have any preview image files until you have forced LR to create them by importing new images, bringing previously imported images up onto the screen, or selecting the menu item "Render Previews".

What OS (and version) are you using?

I've gone through the process again, to make sure I get the wording right.

I'm using Windows Vista Home Basic.

I say File --> New Catalog. Browse to the folder containing the photos, enter the name, and choose to create the catalog.

Lightroom shuts down and reopens with the message "The catalog at location "c:\X\name.lrcat" could not be found. Would you like to locate an existing catalog or use the default one?"

My options, as buttons are: Use Default Catalog, Choose a Different Catalog, or Exit.

Before selecting an option, I browsed to the location where I wanted to make the Catalog. There was a folder with the same name I entered, however, it was empty. No Additional "Preview Folder" nor the 3 files that are supposed to be created.

I selected "Choose a different Catalog" where it listed my default catalog location with no other choices. I had two options at this window as buttons "Choose a Different Catalog..." or "Create a New Catalog...". First I tried "Choose a different catalog, and browsed to the location again. The new folder was still empty.

I next chose "Create a New Catalog..." went to the same location, entered a different name, and everything was successfully created, and the catalog opened in Lightroom.

I am using an external hard drive for storage, however, the process is exactly the same, even on my primary C: drive.

I don't have a clue -- maybe check with the Lightroom Users Forum?

http://forums.adobe.co​m/community/lightroom