Complicated problem with PSE5.0 and Vista - need help please

Well....I've got a problem Grab a tea and a biscuit as it's quite a long post.


It's probably best if I describe what is wrong first as it's a bit complicated.

I've been using Photoshop Elements 5.0 for about 6 months now and it's been running well on an XP machine and I have been downloading pictures to it from a 400D.

Last week I got a new Vista PC, so the first thing I did was load Elements 5.0 onto it, backup the Elements 5.0 photo catalogue (database) on my XP machine (about 2400 images) onto DVD's (5!).

I then opened Elements 5.0 on my new Vista PC and chose to restore catalogue (database) at which point it asked me for all the DVD's.

Everything seemed fine.....although it took absolutely ages to load the thumbnails after the restore had finished (but I am assuming that is because it had to rebuild the file structure).

After about 2 hours I was able to use the organizer and all other components of Elements 5.0.


THEN:

I picked up my 40D yesterday, took about 240 shots, connected the 40D to the Vista machine at which point Elements 5.0 started downloading the pictures.

It quickly showed all 240 images, and I clicked 'Get Photos'.

When it reached approximately image number 150, Elements 5.0 crashed and the 40D sat on 'Busy'.

I turned off the 40D and restarted Elements....all edit functions work fine but when I try and access the organizer it opens the correct tool, but I then get an hourglass on the screen which lasts for about 15 mins until Vista says 'This program is not responding etc etc'.

I've tried repairing Elements, re-installing Elements but I get the same thing the whole time.

This also happens when the 40D is not connected to the PC (tried rebooting the PC loads of times).

I also updated Elements after the problem in the Full Edit tool (can't do anything in the organizer tool) but that also didn't help.

To be honest, I think this is a problem for me to report to Adobe, but I thought it was just worth checking here quickly to see if anyone has seen it before.

The only things I can think that might be doing it are:

1. After I downloaded the images from the 40D, it would have pushed Elements to over 2500 images stored. When I open the organizer (when it works) it goes straight to the 'View All Photo's' view - perhaps 2500 is some kind of threshold?
In terms of Performance....my Vista PC is a Dual Core 2GB ATI 1650 Pro system with 500GB of disk (400GB free) so I can't believe that is the problem.

2. Something to do with the 40D numbering system screwing the database up?

I've checked the hard disk and all the shots definitely have loaded in - they are in the correct file.

My next step is to uninstall Elements again, but this time also delete all the imported catalogue from my hard disk, then reinstall Elements with an image count of 0 - but this is going to take ages.


Sorry for the long post...and thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

I should add that I didn't put this in the Vista sticky as I believe it is more of a problem with migrating Elements catalogues across machines, or thresholds (or new cameras).

Most amusing - after typing that wall of text I finally found a link to a potential fix from Adobe...going to try it now and I'll post back if it works.

Link:

http://kb.adobe.com …rnalId=kb400848​&sliceId=2

good luck, hope it works! (sorry I have no help...mac person here and I don't hook up my camera to the computer)

Well, I'm shocked.

It only went and worked!!!! I'll paste the solution below in case people are searching in the future.

Be aware that if you suffer from this problem then you will not be able to use the 'watch folder' function until they resolve it (and they don't know why it happens).

I have a personal suspicion it's something to do with a threshold that is passed.

Anyway, here is the solution from Adobe:

(by the way, what they left out is that when you restart your PC after doing the following fix, it will boot in a 'type' of diagnostic mode. It will then ask if you want to stay in this mode or change back to normal. If you change back to normal, the fix will not work

However, this in no way will affect the way your PC is running.

Also, the first time you open Elements after applying this fix you may get a 'broken catalogue' error - just press OK, let it load, then do a catalogue repair and it will be absolutely fine.

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Photoshop Elements 5.0.2 freezes when you start the Organizer (Windows Vista)
Issue

When you start the Organizer, Adobe Photoshop Elements freezes. The freeze occurs when Photoshop Elements tries to load the catalog.
Solution

Turn off the Active File Monitor service.

1. Choose Start, type msconfig in the Search box, and then press Enter.
2. On the Services tab, deselect Adobe Active File Monitor V5.
3. Click OK, and then click Restart.

Note: You may not be able to use the Watch Folders function if you turn off the Active File Monitor service.
Additional Information

On some systems, the Active File Monitor service can cause issues when starting the Photoshop Elements Organizer. The exact cause of this conflict is unknown at this time.
Version Info

Photoshop Elements 5.0.2
TechNote Details
Last Update: 07-13-2007
ID: kb400848
OS:

* Windows Vista

Permanent Link: http://www.adobe.com/g​o/kb400848
Products Affected:

* Photoshop Elements