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Arnie_S
Arnie_S
Known Participant
November 19, 2010
Answered

Bridge CS5 crashes when opening

  • November 19, 2010
  • 2 replies
  • 26096 views

Joseph Heller would be proud.

Adobe Bridge, CS5 crashes when starting up.  I downloaded Photoshop CS5 Extended, installed it on my new MacBook Air (this computer has never seen any CSx product).  Installed the CS5 serial number, installed the SC4 legacy serial number, all is well.  Photoshop runs fine.  I installed all my Nik plugins and Bokeh Plugin.  All is well.  I tried running Bridge, and it crashes during the launch "The operation could not be completed.  An unknown operating system error has occurred."  Adobe released an update, which I downloaded, but during installation, it too crashed (couldn't perform the update and provided a link to Adobe support. 

Fours hours later with Adobe.  Tried:

1) Deleting the PLIST file for Bridge, no luck.

2) Tried the Option Bridge trick to reset all preferences in Bridge, no luck.

3) Created a new Admin account, logged into it, Bridge worked.

4) Adobe technical help said it is now an Apple problem since the program worked with the new admin account.

5) Apple said pound sand, it's an Adobe program, it should work regardless of which admin account.

6) Back to Adobe, talked to third level (still tier 1) person, it's an Apple problem.  He suggested deactivating Photoshop, un-install Photoshop, run a clean script (which I just downloaded but haven't tried) which will wipe out any files that has to do with CS5 that the un-install program doesn't un-install (totally logical), re-download and re-install everything, again (I haven't tried this yet).

Doing a Google search for Bridge crashing while opening reveals a frightening amount of comments with people having similar problems (don't even get me started about Adobe Air).

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,

Arnie...

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer David__B

    Hey Arnie,

    We have this (older) document about the issue you're describing. The solutions are still valid.

    Troubleshoot unexpected behavior that occurs only in a particular user account | Adobe software on Mac OS

    http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/408/kb408993.html

    Here are the locations of the Bridge specific preferences, you might try moving the Bridge CS5 folders from the following paths to the desktop to ensure they all get re-created and that they exist. I know you had mentioned the PLIST one already in #3.

    The [user] in the path would be your specific user account.

    If your user account didn't have Full permissions to Read/Write on any of these directories, that might also be the cause.

       1. Users/ [user] /Library/Caches/Adobe/Bridge CS5
       2. Users/ [user] /Library/Application Support/Adobe/Bridge CS5 /
       3. com.adobe.bridge4.plist file located in the Users/ [user] /Library/Preferences

    Hope this helps,

    Dave B

    2 replies

    David__B
    Adobe Employee
    David__BCorrect answer
    Adobe Employee
    November 22, 2010

    Hey Arnie,

    We have this (older) document about the issue you're describing. The solutions are still valid.

    Troubleshoot unexpected behavior that occurs only in a particular user account | Adobe software on Mac OS

    http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/408/kb408993.html

    Here are the locations of the Bridge specific preferences, you might try moving the Bridge CS5 folders from the following paths to the desktop to ensure they all get re-created and that they exist. I know you had mentioned the PLIST one already in #3.

    The [user] in the path would be your specific user account.

    If your user account didn't have Full permissions to Read/Write on any of these directories, that might also be the cause.

       1. Users/ [user] /Library/Caches/Adobe/Bridge CS5
       2. Users/ [user] /Library/Application Support/Adobe/Bridge CS5 /
       3. com.adobe.bridge4.plist file located in the Users/ [user] /Library/Preferences

    Hope this helps,

    Dave B

    Arnie_S
    Arnie_SAuthor
    Known Participant
    November 23, 2010

    Solution:

    2. Users/ [user] /Library/Application Support/Adobe/Bridge CS5 /

    I went to check the permissions for the Bridge CS5 folder, the folder didn't exist.  I went to Get Info for the Adobe parent folder and my user name wasn't assigned to it for read/write permission.  I unlocked the permission lock and added my account name with R/W permission, Bridge now launches.  I can launch it stand alone or through Photoshop, logged out, logged back in, still good.  Turned the computer off and on, still good.

    I think we have a solution.

    Dave B.  Thanks so much for the advice.  I would suggest that this information be shared with the technical support team overseas.  The generic response I was getting from them was just a brick wall when it came to this specific issue.  This was not a difficult solution, but it became a difficult solution for no apparent reason.

    Thanks for all the suggestions in this forum, and a particular thank you to Dave B. of Adobe.

    Back in business.

    Arnie...

    David__B
    Adobe Employee
    David__B
    Adobe Employee
    November 23, 2010

    Glad to hear that worked Arnie.

    I found your case from calling support. The information I provided is some which is already available but I'll follow up with the agent(s) you spoke with to ensure they know. I'm sorry for your frustration finding the solution. Thanks for the feedback.

    R
    Rich Wagner
    Participating Frequently
    November 19, 2010

    Arnie,

    Unfortunately, I think the most expeditious thing to do is to uninstall and run the "cleaner" script. Adobe uses the same strategy with "pre-releases" or betas to get rid of all traces of a version like CS5. Then re-install and test each step of the way, starting with PS and Bridge, and doing the updates to each. If you get that far, BACK UP (Time Machine or other) then continue with your add-ons. If something breaks, you can "roll back" to the place before installing the add-ons.

    Good Luck!

    --Rich Wagner

    Arnie_S
    Arnie_SAuthor
    Known Participant
    November 19, 2010

    Update - no change.

    In the new admin account, I deactivated Photoshop, uninstalled PS, ran the clean script, downloaded PS again, ran the install.  Both PS and B work in the new admin account.  Switched to my account, PS works, B = same problem, crashes while opening.  Switched back to the new admin account, ran the updates for PS and B, tested PS and B, they worked.  Switched back to my account, PS works, B crashes.

    I'm at a loss.  I'll have to call Adobe again.

    It does appear that there is something with my admin account that Adobe doesn't like, but I have no idea where to look, let alone what to look for. 

    Thanks for the suggestion Richard.

    R
    Rich Wagner
    Participating Frequently
    November 19, 2010

    Arnie,

    Sorry if I was not clear in my previous post. You have to run the cleaner script from the old account that isn't working, as there may be something left in that account that is causing the problem. I'd try directly installing from that account - the one you want to use - after removing CS5 and running the cleaner.  That may or may not work, though, because it's still possible that something from the add-ons that you installed is causing the conflict.  But I would give it a try.  Yea, it's a very, very frustrating problem with Bridge. Many of us have been there.  And I've never had any other software with this problem.

    --Rich

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