Posted by John Reed on February 6, 2009 at 12:41 PM
OK Photoshop and/or computer gurus, I really need some help. I'm having a problem which is defying solution. I won't live long enough to get through to Adobe and I tried the NAPP Help Desk but it seems the only answer there is to uninstall and reinstall Photoshop which I've done so much the DVD is worn out. Two issues. Here goes.
Issue 1:
I cannot use any of the brush based tools on an image that I open from bridge. If I open the file directly in Photoshop, all works fine but if I locate it in bridge and open from there, none of the brush based tools work (brush itself, clone tool, healing tool, etc).
I've tried 2 new video cards and they have not solved the problem.
Issue 2:
Again, bridge. The Photoshop option (directly below cache) under the tools menu is missing. The prevents any PS based batch processing to be done from bridge. The batch rename at the top of the list is present but the list stops at cache.
It MUST be something with my computer because I loaded CS4 onto my laptop, which is older with a necessarily older video card and neither of the above problems show themselves. It works fine on the laptop.
My desktop is a Windows based machine with XP Pro, 4 gb of RAM, PCI express video, and an Intel Core 2 duo 2.67 processor.
I suspect that even though I uninstall CS4, some parts remain because when I reinstall, my customized workspaces are still present. Perhaps there is some fragment remaining after the uninstall that is causing the issue? Is there a way to check and get rid of absolutely everything so the install is "clean"?
Any guidance at all will be certainly appreciated because I don't know what else to do save buy a new computer and that seems both extreme and unwarranted.
Thanks,
John Reed
Posted by John Mumaw on February 6, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Are you using any Logitech products (mouse, in particular)?
In the Edit-Preferences->Performance window in PS, have you tried checking (or unchecking) the 'Enable OpenGL Drawing' box and then restarting PS?
Have you tried posting your problem in the Adobe forums?
Posted by John Reed on February 6, 2009 at 1:01 PM
Thanks for the fast reply. Answers: no logitech products of any kind. Yes, tried unchecking open GL - made no difference.
Thanks,
JR
I'm interested in a solution as well. I have similar problems with CS4 on my older G5 iMac, but not on the newer Intel-based MacBook. I did have Logitech devices installed on my iMac, but I believe I was able to remove all traces of the software drivers, etc. Currently use a Wacom Graphite tablet on the iMac...
Dave
Posted by Robert Fisher on February 6, 2009 at 3:01 PM
Are you, by chance, opening your images from Bridge as Smart Objects? Smart Objects are not directly editable.
I avoid Bridge like the plague so can't tell you how to find out if there's a Preference setting in Bridge to open files as Smart Objects but it might be something to look into.
There may well be fragments of PS remaining even after an uninstall. I had problems when I tried to install the full version of CS3 after having used the trial version because of detritus left behind by the trial copy.
Posted by Ed Cordes on February 6, 2009 at 7:20 PM
Try cleaning your cache and go to PS CS4 preferences and clean its cache as well.
Edit: You may also want to reset all Bridge and PS preferences to default until the issue is solved.
Adobe Bridge is a bridge to nowhere! I have had nothing but trouble with this program and have finally
got rid of it! A much better choice ,and faster as well is ACDsee 2.5.I have never had any trouble with
this program ever.I hope Adobe will fix Bridge's problems soon ,but until that time I continue with ACDsee.
P.S. With ACDsee you can just drag and drop pictures into Photoshop's work area.
John wrote: "I suspect that even though I uninstall CS4, some parts remain because when I reinstall, my customized workspaces are still present. Perhaps there is some fragment remaining after the uninstall that is causing the issue? Is there a way to check and get rid of absolutely everything so the install is "clean"? "
You could use a "registry cleaner" like Registry First Aid (shareware) or RegSeeker (freeware). I have used both. (I also run XPpro on a dual-core system.) RegSeeker will do the job for you if you don't want to spend money; just be sure to check the "create backup" box. Be sure to create a System Restore Point before you use the registry tool. What to do: figure out all the combinations of words that Adobe Photoshop Creative Suite 4 CS4 CreativeSuite creative suite ... refers to itself as, write them down, uninstall CS4, go to Program Files and get rid of any remaining folders; check the various Application Data places ("All Users," 'Current User," your username) and get rid of those folders. Then tell RegSeeker "find in the registry" (and check the "in files, too" box) that list of words. Read what RegSeeker has found to be sure the strings are not part of another software package, then select all the ones you want to get rid of, and "delete selected." Then reboot your computer. Then turn it off for 5 minutes or so. Start it up and reboot again. (Your RAM's had a real chance to clear itself of everything.) Then reinstall CS4. Should be a totally clean re-install.
Posted by Wayne Nicholas on February 7, 2009 at 11:10 AM
My first thought is a corrupted install. I would completely uninstall PSCS4 and reinstall. NOTE: I don't about windows, but PS CS4 for mac comes with its own uninstaller. If you don't use this, you risk leaving integral parts of the program on your system, making a reinstall useless. Do a search on the adobe help pages for uninstalling. They have scripts to go in and strip out any entries from an install.
Once the program is cleaned out. Reboot and try to reinstall. If it fails to install a component, it usually the uninstall was unsuccessful.
Then, I would try Rosemarie's suggestion above. Messing with the windows reg is always a last resort.
I suggest that you find detailed instructions for doing a full, manual uninstall of PS. I also strongly suggest that you not go into Windoze Explorer and delete any folders, nor go into RegEdit and tweak/delete any registry keys unless the manual uninstall procedure directly requires it. Why?
PS, like many apps for Windoze, uses shared files that are placed in various system folders. If you delete the wrong thing, you could hose your system, or not be able to install PS at all.
After you manually uninstall PS, scan and clean your registry and then go to MS Update and install any needed updates. (You don't say which service pack for XP you are using. If you have not applied SP-3, do so.)
Once all this is done, and after a cold reboot, you can try to install PS again and see if that fixes your issue with Bridge.
Having said all this, try the easy fixes already suggested before going to the last resort of a manual uninstall/reinstall.
Let us know the outcome. I hope you can get it to work.
-P
Posted by John Reed on February 7, 2009 at 10:11 PM
This one is defying all logic and solution. New video card installed. Service Pack 3 installed. Adobe CS4 Clean Script used to uninstall CS4. Is that what is meant by "manual uninstall"? Shut machine down. Waited 30 minutes. Started up. Installed CS4. Same problem. The Adobe clean script apparently is ineffective because when I reinstalled CS4, all my preset workspaces were still present in both PS and bridge. Don't know how to scan and clean registry but it looks like that's the next step as Rosemarie suggested unless somebody else has any ideas.
To be clear, the program works great except for the two glitches seemingly related to bridge. Photoshop does NOT crash, lock up, not start or any other issues. Open GL is not grayed out and is available as an option but I'm not checking it. I mention all of this because these are symptoms alluded to in an Adobe Tech Note. It blows me away how it installs and runs perfectly on a laptop older than this desktop.
I'll await any other input before trying to do any registry magic because frankly, that worries me. My sincere thanks to all who have offered input. Keep it coming so I can lick this thing.
JR
Posted by Scott Reeves on February 8, 2009 at 1:01 AM
John here's hoping you get through this trying situation. Admitting I have not read every line above, I would only suggest this - if you are at the point of having performed a thorough uninstall and you want to clean things up like registry and temp files before reinstalling, purchase and run both Registry Mechanic and Error Killer. Not only might they help now, but they are handy to run about every three months or so.... btw, I called Adobe at 6 PM eastern thursday and got through to bangalore in about 7 minutes. ... Also your preferences are saved in the neighborhood of Docs and Settings, user name, application data, adobe - along with brushes, actions and other items that are usually helpful to migrate.
Disconnect from the internet, start your machine in safe mode and run a virus scan and a program such SpyBot Search and Destroy. There's a worm out there called Virtuamonde that is very pernicious.
After the scans and fixing any problems, shut down, stay disconnected from the net and then boot into safe mode again, Turn off your fire wall and anti virus and then try installing PS again.
Installing in safe mode insures that only the minium number of processes needed are running, and turning off your firewall and anti virus prevents them from (perhaps) blocking installation of a file (or files) needed by.PS.
I second Scott's recommendation for Registry Mechanic!
I'm glad you're shying away from hacking into the registry. I do that only as a last resort, and I cross my fingres every time! I am sorry you're having this problem. I hope you can get it sorted out.
-Preston
Posted by Paul DeCesare on February 26, 2009 at 11:05 PM
I tell ya who'd know the answer: a Photoshop expert who used to work at Microsoft, a fella named Tim Grey. He sends out an email everyday answering people's questions and dilemmas, just like this one. Just go to his website, email him the dilemma, and I bet you will be the daily email pick in the next day or two. He's always looking for the juicy ones to answer.
Just thought I'd let everybody know that both problems solved with help from Adobe forums. Never used that before and must admit I'm quite impressed. Issue #1 regarding brush tools turned out to be a Wacom tablet issue. Issue #2 regarding Photoshop not being offered under bridge tools menu turned out to be simply a setting in bridge preferences. Boy did I feel like an idiot on that one!! Thanks to all who offered their advice.
Discussion
14 repliesIssue 1:
I cannot use any of the brush based tools on an image that I open from bridge. If I open the file directly in Photoshop, all works fine but if I locate it in bridge and open from there, none of the brush based tools work (brush itself, clone tool, healing tool, etc).
I've tried 2 new video cards and they have not solved the problem.
Issue 2:
Again, bridge. The Photoshop option (directly below cache) under the tools menu is missing. The prevents any PS based batch processing to be done from bridge. The batch rename at the top of the list is present but the list stops at cache.
It MUST be something with my computer because I loaded CS4 onto my laptop, which is older with a necessarily older video card and neither of the above problems show themselves. It works fine on the laptop.
My desktop is a Windows based machine with XP Pro, 4 gb of RAM, PCI express video, and an Intel Core 2 duo 2.67 processor.
I suspect that even though I uninstall CS4, some parts remain because when I reinstall, my customized workspaces are still present. Perhaps there is some fragment remaining after the uninstall that is causing the issue? Is there a way to check and get rid of absolutely everything so the install is "clean"?
Any guidance at all will be certainly appreciated because I don't know what else to do save buy a new computer and that seems both extreme and unwarranted.
Thanks,
John Reed
In the Edit-Preferences->Performance window in PS, have you tried checking (or unchecking) the 'Enable OpenGL Drawing' box and then restarting PS?
Have you tried posting your problem in the Adobe forums?
Thanks,
JR
Dave
I avoid Bridge like the plague so can't tell you how to find out if there's a Preference setting in Bridge to open files as Smart Objects but it might be something to look into.
There may well be fragments of PS remaining even after an uninstall. I had problems when I tried to install the full version of CS3 after having used the trial version because of detritus left behind by the trial copy.
Edit: You may also want to reset all Bridge and PS preferences to default until the issue is solved.
got rid of it! A much better choice ,and faster as well is ACDsee 2.5.I have never had any trouble with
this program ever.I hope Adobe will fix Bridge's problems soon ,but until that time I continue with ACDsee.
P.S. With ACDsee you can just drag and drop pictures into Photoshop's work area.
You could use a "registry cleaner" like Registry First Aid (shareware) or RegSeeker (freeware). I have used both. (I also run XPpro on a dual-core system.) RegSeeker will do the job for you if you don't want to spend money; just be sure to check the "create backup" box. Be sure to create a System Restore Point before you use the registry tool. What to do: figure out all the combinations of words that Adobe Photoshop Creative Suite 4 CS4 CreativeSuite creative suite ... refers to itself as, write them down, uninstall CS4, go to Program Files and get rid of any remaining folders; check the various Application Data places ("All Users," 'Current User," your username) and get rid of those folders. Then tell RegSeeker "find in the registry" (and check the "in files, too" box) that list of words. Read what RegSeeker has found to be sure the strings are not part of another software package, then select all the ones you want to get rid of, and "delete selected." Then reboot your computer. Then turn it off for 5 minutes or so. Start it up and reboot again. (Your RAM's had a real chance to clear itself of everything.) Then reinstall CS4. Should be a totally clean re-install.
Once the program is cleaned out. Reboot and try to reinstall. If it fails to install a component, it usually the uninstall was unsuccessful.
Then, I would try Rosemarie's suggestion above. Messing with the windows reg is always a last resort.
PS, like many apps for Windoze, uses shared files that are placed in various system folders. If you delete the wrong thing, you could hose your system, or not be able to install PS at all.
After you manually uninstall PS, scan and clean your registry and then go to MS Update and install any needed updates. (You don't say which service pack for XP you are using. If you have not applied SP-3, do so.)
Once all this is done, and after a cold reboot, you can try to install PS again and see if that fixes your issue with Bridge.
Having said all this, try the easy fixes already suggested before going to the last resort of a manual uninstall/reinstall.
Let us know the outcome. I hope you can get it to work.
-P
To be clear, the program works great except for the two glitches seemingly related to bridge. Photoshop does NOT crash, lock up, not start or any other issues. Open GL is not grayed out and is available as an option but I'm not checking it. I mention all of this because these are symptoms alluded to in an Adobe Tech Note. It blows me away how it installs and runs perfectly on a laptop older than this desktop.
I'll await any other input before trying to do any registry magic because frankly, that worries me. My sincere thanks to all who have offered input. Keep it coming so I can lick this thing.
JR
After the scans and fixing any problems, shut down, stay disconnected from the net and then boot into safe mode again, Turn off your fire wall and anti virus and then try installing PS again.
Installing in safe mode insures that only the minium number of processes needed are running, and turning off your firewall and anti virus prevents them from (perhaps) blocking installation of a file (or files) needed by.PS.
I second Scott's recommendation for Registry Mechanic!
I'm glad you're shying away from hacking into the registry. I do that only as a last resort, and I cross my fingres every time! I am sorry you're having this problem. I hope you can get it sorted out.
-Preston