Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/viewed.ez?galleryid=260354

Ok...have just got hold of ps7. I have installed it on a laptop with 256 RAM, 20GB HDD (with 10GB free) a 900Mhz proc. and running WinXP pro. I opened the app up and after the usual intro screen got a warning saying that my history volume and (*something* - can't remember) were the same and that I should change this, preferrably to another drive entirely (which I don't have as an option) I searched the help files and they said pretty much the same thing and that preferences can also be changed. So I did so, upping the scratch disk size from 110 to 180 (out of 228 available) and changing the disk destination to C:/ from 'scratch' as that was the only other option available there. This had the effect of making the freezing occur a little later than before but it still happened. By freezing I mean that the entire laptop comes to a halt and I have to unplug the power and remove the battery to get it going again. Of course anything since the last save is lost. Now, I did a pic called "Red Mars" (here on rendo incidently) and that was only 90kb eventually and didn't cause a problem. However, when I did my tank girl pic which is what I normally do with photoshop (see link) I got the freezing problem. The tank girl psd file was scanned at 200dpi and took up about 2Mb all up with 8 or so layers. I eventually resorted to my old trusty PS 5.0 to do that pic. So... What is the problem? How can I fix it so my laptop doesn't freeze on me?

This may be an XP problem. Occasionally there's a problem with the CD drive that causes CPU usage to go through the roof. Make sure your XP installation is up to date and remove any CD's you might have in the drive. You can also try the Photoshop forum at www.adobeforums.com Hope that helps, Ken Heronheart

I am using WinXP Pro on 2 desktop machines. Both have Photoshop 7 and have never had a problem. I have heard of that problem before though. It was also someone using a laptop with WinXP Pro. They reinstalled Photoshop 7 and all seemed ok. BTW...Does your reset not work on laptop should it freeze up like that? Unplugging power cord and removing battery is a little extreme.

if you hold down the power button, after about 10 seconds it should reset, or power off.

This is a WinXP problem. I've seen it before, and it's not limited to laptops. I'm afraid that the only solution I've found that worked for me...or more to the point, my roommate, whose computer was freezing...was to re-install a couple Adobe programs. If you've got Illustrator (especially version 9 or earlier), that's one of the ones that needs re-installing, along with Photoshop. Apparently, the trick is to install Photoshop after installing Illustrator...if you're running Illustrator 10, same deal. My solution on this one is based on a theory of mine, which is to install the programs in the order of their release. In any case, it hasn't let me down so far. Near as I can figure it's something having to do with the color management systems, although I'm pretty sure Elvis has something to do with it as well.

Oh, as I was saying when I started the message...it only seems to happen on XP. So, if you feel particularly ballsy, installing another OS, like 2000 or ME or 98 will also work...but it really is more trouble than it's worth. In any case, it's not really an Adobe problem, it's a Microsoft problem. It just has an Adobe solution...says a lot about the way the software companies are going, huh?

Just photoshop 5 and acrobat 5 as adobe products installed

XP came loaded on my latest laptop; as soon as I began installing my software problems popped up. Yep its all been updated and service packed all to hell with M$ latest bug fixes; but the truth of the matter is simple too date far too many problems with XP. My PS 7 froze repeatedly even after turning off color profiles and using a default. RAM was set to 80% Windows was stripped down to the minimum requirements to run. My solution to the problem; I dumped XP and loaded in my win 2000. Since doing so I've had absolutely no problems, everything runs faster, memory usage is far more effecient and I can run Illustrator, PhotoShop and Dreamweaver MX simultaneously without a lock up. Change your OS for something more stable and wait for the bugs to be flushed from XP pro.

I've been busy for the last few days, and one of the things was getting a new computer PIV 2.53Ghz, 512 Ram 120HD XP. I had just gotten to setting up PS 7 when I got hit with the same problem. It had to do with the Scratch disks. So I uninstalled and reinstalled, still the same problem. I then tried the Program Compatibility Wizard in XP and it fixed it right up. No problems with it now..No more error messages. Knocking on wood..... Thank God. I was not looking forward to putting in a new OS again. I still have a ton of work to do yet.

As I mentioned before, I am running WinXP Pro and I am running Photoshop just fine and without partitioning my drive (which I find a bit extreme). I have my Scratch Disk as Startup. Remind me not to ask any questions here in case I get the same such rude reply.

:+)

Have you installed the patch or update to 7 to 7.01? I didn't even know it was out. but I put it on yesterday and it seems to run a whole lot better. I hate to sound stupid but what in the heck is the scratch disk?

turtle,
the "scratch disk" is an equivalent to virtual memory (well sort-of... easiest description). Photoshop requires alot of memory to perform and store (history) all the little changes done on the file. Having a drive partitioned off and using one of the segments as your scratch disk allows PS to work faster and smoother (especially if the "drive" is defag'd and used just for PS work...)

This is NOT totally necessary, Adobe recommends it but PS will run with your "start-up 'C'drive" selected as your primary scratch disk. You will get a message (it's not an error message, just a warning/comment) stating you should have a different drive designated other than your startup.

outside of that, you can alway purge your "history" and other memory intensive areas to keep running smoothly. Nothing worst than working on a job and finding out "There isn't enough memory to perform this function" when you go to save your work!!(had this happen to me!)

:)
retrocity