Post Processing Advice Please

Hi everyone
Im having problems with my post processing. Firstly I was using DPP to play with my images and was getting along ok but then my software that came with my 450d started playing up. I couldnt import any images into DPP at all.
I bought Elements 7 to try using that instead, but now I get "cannot open picture as its the wrong type of file" message when I try to import any images.
Finally I was bought a G11 for Christmas, and installed the DPP disc onto my laptop. I can now view and manipulate my RAW images but when it comes to saving them I use "convert and save" and try to save them to JPEGS but the image I save, doesn't include the alterations I made but the origional keeps its alterations but is still a RAW file.
So should I be able to do all my PP in Elements 7 or do I need to import them with DPP first ?
If anyone has a workflow they could share with me I would be very grateful as I'm sure I'm not alone with this, as I've read loads of posts trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong.
Can any replies be kept as basic as possible, as I am a beginner to the likes of post processing.
Thanks
Ian

Hi,
Have you downloaded and installed the latest Adobe raw convertor for Elements 7?
Link to adobe site below.

http://www.adobe.com …ads/detail.jsp?​ftpID=4582

This very strange. Five days ago we had a post, very similar to yours, which reported a problem that I and others had never heard of before:
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=801332
The solution for that poster is cited in post # 23, so maybe this will help you.

Hi Both

MJM80 - I have now downloaded this update. its made no difference I'm afraid, its still telling me wrong type of file.

TZALMAN - I removed my DPP off my laptop, then re-installed it. Opened it up, did some adjustments and saved them to no avail again. I then put the disc into a spare laptop with Windows XP on it instead of my Vista, and had exactly the same problems.

I'm afraid this problem is already outside of my "computer systems knowledge" ability to resolve, thanks for your time and effort to respond anyway.
Ian
PS If anyone wants a free laptop then please stand in my garden and get ready to catch this one when I launch it through the french doors !!!!!

Have you read and followed the ACR Installation instructions exactly?

Hi Rene,
I think I have, but to be fair I struggled with finding everything the Adobe webpage told me to do. To make matters worse I wasnt even sure what I should end up with even, IF, I had done it correctly.
I thought that purchasing PSE 7 would end my weeks of woe with DPP not give me a whole new bunch of headaches.

Double check, to make sure you did it correctly. If done right, it should work.

I had a similar problem with DPP, the disc that came with my camera was an older version of DPP, had to dowload the newest and intall it, since then, no problems. I also had a problem with an off brand CF card, worked in the camera, but DPP couldn't open the files and would shut down DPP when I tried!!