Summary: I have absolutely no problems with PS CS (8) except when I go to Save. When I go to save a duplicate of an image, it starts the process and then stops and a few seconds later I get the message, Photoshop has unexpectantly quit, but nothing has been lost, and am given the 3 options buttons. In the past I have reinstalled PS and the problem goes away for awhile, and then comes back slowly. By that I mean, I will go to save a Level or Curves adjustment (using Adjustment Layers), and the same thing happens that I described above. This seems to happen occasionally until it gets to where it is now, when nothing can be saved.
In the past when this occurred I have: (1) deleted preferences (2) reinstalled (3) run DiskWarrior 4 and Techtool Pro 4 [did yesterday and they both showed no problems with the System], (5) used Disk Utility to Repair Disk Permissions, (6) run PS as the only Application, and (7) tried running PS with different plug-ins remove, None of these have ever cleared up the problem permanently, The reinstall of the application is the only way I can get the program to Save again. I can get it to do any other PS process, have no problems starting up, printing, etc. Use Quark and other Adobe programs without ever having a problem. I do not know what to do next.

Steps to reproduce: Attempt to Save to the Desk Top/A specific
Folder.

Problem: PS does not save, but returns to folder in which the image
sits, and then about 15 seconds later I get the message box mentioned
above.

Photoshop CS (8)
G4 MirrorDoors PC
1.25 GHz
1MB L3 cache
2GB DDR SDAM RAM with preferences set to 85% for PS/cache 6
32 bit color
ATI Radeon 9000 Pro
1024 x 768 @ 85Hz
Internal Speaker/Built in Audio

I have a 250GB external drive used as a Scratch Disk on Startup, which I believe is correct. I use the latest version of SilverFast: Polaroid 6.5.5r4 to scan images into PS. Also, use latest versions of PhotoKit Sharpener and Neat Image.

Thanks for assistance,
Bob Sennhauser

OS?

have a 250GB external drive used as a Scratch Disk on Startup, which I
believe is correct




But it's not optimal. The best solution is a dedicated, separate internal hard drive.

You have your memory allowance set too high. Bring it down to 70%. You might be choking the OS. Try setting your cache at 4 levels instead of 6.

You need to answer Buko's question. What is the exact version of the OS you are running? How large is the hard drive and how much free space is there on it?

Thank you Buko and Ramón for you quick response.

My OS is 10.4
My hard drive is 80GB, with 38GBs of free space.

I will set the memory allowance to 70%, and the cache a 4 levels
and give it a try. Ramón I did not know about the possibility of choking
the OS. Thanks for that info.

A question. Other World Computing has a kit that contains
a 500GB external hard drive, Hitachi DeskStar P7K500 7200,
with an enclosure, which I could place by current hard drive
in, and use it as a dedicated, separate hard drive. Comes with
all needed software and cords and sells for $125. A friend told
me it works great (for him). Has a 3 yr warranty. What do you think?

Thanks again,
Bob

Buko & Ramón

I was not clear about the OWC kit. Their external hard drive
would be converted to my start up hard drive, and my present
hard drive would become the separate, dedicated hard drive.

I believe that is clearer.

Bob

This is like pulling teeth… <sigh!>

I asked you for the exact version of your OS. 10.4.what?

By all means upgrade that puny boot drive.

Ramón,

Sorry, but am not trying to be difficult, I thought
that 10.4 would be understood to be 10.4.0.

I followed your instructions and lowered the
memory allowance to 70% and set the cache at 4 levels.

I then tried an image that I had completed last
week and it would not Save. The Save box opened, but
the TIFF Options did not, and then I got the message
I mentioned in my first post. I decided to try using
HD instead of Start up, and this time it Saved. I then
went to another image I had completed the same day and
it would not Save. Both had a fair amount of Adjustment
Levels and I had used PhotoKit Sharpener on both. I made
duplicates of both and flattened them, so they were just
18MB. Again, the first Saved, but the second would not.

I then went to an image that had only been scanned in,
but not worked on. I just reduced its physical size
and was able to Save it. Then I did a little work on it,
(contrast/color balance), but then it would not save.

Finally I returned to the two images I mentioned completing
last week and reduced their physical size so that the one
that saved was 192MB, and the one that would not was 140MB,
but the results were the same. This all seems strange. Will a
larger hard drive correct this problem?

Thank you,
Bob

bob,

10.4 would be understood to be 10.4.0.




If nothing else, you should be updated to 10.4.11. Also run Disk Utility.

Neil

First of all...update your OS to the latest 10.4.11. Best practice is to go to Apple and get the Combo updater, and update from that.

Create a fresh new user account on your system.

Does the problem still happen?