Photoshop CS4 is a disaster

Thanks for the reply David, that makes sense.

I have never had a pleasure of installing the OS from a disk other than what came with a computer; I thought it would be the same as long as the OS the computer and the code are all the same.

b STATUS UPDATE:

OK, back to the issue; I installed Vista and all the hardware I use with the latest drivers to go with it. I installed Photoshop, checked the settings and ran the usual test. She's running fast.

I think I have successfully eliminated any hardware/drivers as the issue. Unless, of course, I had an old driver for something unrelated that was causing the problem in the past. Thatd be a bummer, but I think I have a way to figure that out as well.

The next step is to start installing programs back. I'll install three or four at the time and then install Photoshop to test it; that way I'll narrow it down faster. If I were to do it one at the time, the in-between imaging would take forever.

The way I see it, two things can happen. One, I'll install the offending software(s) and figure out what it is. That's good news for everyone.

The alternative is that I won't be able to reproduce the problem. Luckily I kept the image of my system when I couldn't get it to work no matter what I tried (at this point I have something in the order of a dozen images all in all). So if I can't replicate the issue, I'll revert to the time Photoshop was slow, and then check the drivers. If that doesn't do it; I'll start uninstalling stuff 'till it does work.

Something's gotta budge sooner or later.

Microsoft will help with OEM (Dell) OS installations.

>lus there is code that identifies OEM from Retail copies.

good point. mine is a retail copy. there might just be an issue with an oem copy, where the hardware subsidizes the sw purchase (supposedly).

still worth the call anyway to try.

Your OEM version preloaded on your computer generates code numbers that match your motherboard, CPU and other things installed on your computer. That version can only be used on that computer. Plus there is code that identifies OEM from Retail copies.

From what I have read in the past people have used their OEM numbers for "like" vista items in 32 bit and 64 bit. So in other words you can't upgrade from your Vista home premium to Ultimate. Problem being with OEM factory installed is that the factory is the owner thus the trouble shooter.

Gets worse if you build a system and buy a OEM disk. It may be cheaper however you are now the owner and troubleshooter. Microsoft won't help you. Buy regular retail and microsoft will help you.

So when you installed your downloaded software windows was looking for a number not associated with OEM. I just assume this because the software you downloaded might have a retail code associated with it? Thus it locked you out and you should have gotten a screen telling you to activate on line or call in? Maybe so.

I won't keep writing as you can go to microsoft website or other sites to read about it.

Like Robert wrote: Call Microsoft up and tell them what you are doing as it won't hurt to try.

just for some background, i have an original version of XP Pro. no service pack. won't install on a pcie system at all. just bombs out. i downloaded a full copy with sp3 slipstreamed in from MSDN and was denied activation when entering the serial i got with the original disc. got a rep on the phone immediately (at about 11:00 pm my time) and the whole deal took about 5 minutes, including my explaining what i'd done (formatted and install an MSDN version rather than the copy on my disc).

>Call Microsoft at the number on your screen after the activation denial. I've done this in the past and with different installation media and it got a new activation code in about 5 minutes.

ditto. it's a pita reading off numbers to them and copying them back, but it works.

David,

Aw man! I got through the full installation with all the drivers and settings just right when I read you post. So I wobbled back to my computer (which never prompted me to validate so far) and manually ran the validation.

Dagnabit!

I guess you can figure what happened then.

Back to the restore partition it is. Good thing I saved the image of the entire hard drive.

I thunk all Vista disks should be the same as long as its the same version of OS. Obviously you have an idea what happened here, and Id like to hear about it. Care to enlighten?

At this pace I'll be done after CS5 is out...

> I have a d975XBX2 "Bad Axe 2" board and its running 8 GB ram perfectly.

Well I tried everything including a special order of Crucial RAM modules which were the only 2GB sticks on the Intel tested RAM for this board, and it would not run stable. That was after failing with Kingston RAM.

Intel sent me a new Rev mobo it too was not stable. Numerous calls to and from Intel failed to resolve the issue so I just gave up. The Asus board worked 1st time, no problemo. You are using Photoshop CS4 64bit?

Russell

Ivan,

So when you went on line and activated your Vista 64 bit download with a OEM serial number that was assigned to your OEM Windows software, Windows activated?

ProArtist,

I have the D975XBX2 board with 4gb currently and want to go to 8gb. Since I have read several comments about this particular board not liking 8gb, would you mind sharing the type of memory that you are having success with. I am running the Q6700 processor.

Thanks,