Photoshop 6

[dave_39]

Hi,

Anyone remember Photoshop 6? Well, I’m still using it, or should I say, I was until I upgraded to Windows 11 today. I remember when I upgraded to Windows 10 I had the same problem but after making changes in the Compatibility Mode I managed to get it working, compatible with Windows 7 I seem to remember. I naturally tried this in Windows 11 but no joy in any of the older OS options.

I decided to uninstall PS6 and reinstall it and it worked perfectly, however, after closing it down and opening it again it seems to have reverted back to the previous problem of not opening. It does begin to open but then an error message appears ‘Unable to continue because of a hardware or system error. Sorry, but this error is unrecoverable'.

Given that it did work tells me that it is possible to get it working again. Hopefully, someone here will be able to help. If you can, I would be very grateful.

Thanks 

[kglad]

when you reinstalled do you use compatibility move and to install?

is ps set to run as administrator?

[dave_39]

No, I just did the reinstall and clicked the icon in the taskbar 

[kglad]

set both now, if you can. 

i have win 10, and i know those can be set by right clicking a link or exe > properties > etc.

[dave_39]

Just tried as administrator and without in various OS modes but still the same. 

[kglad]

assign compatibility mode: https://allthings.how/how-to-run-an-app-in-compatibility-mode-in-windows-11/

[dave_39]

Thanks for the link, but no success there.

[kglad]

you successfully assigned compatibility mode to what?

and after doing that still could not open your cs6?

[Jeff Arola]

I had that same issue with photoshop 6 on both windows 10 and 11, then after some updates to windows 10 ps 6 started working again with no compatibility modes required.

You can try setting the Compatibilty mode to Windows 98 and that should wotk mostly.

Is your Windows 10/11 updated to the latest versions?

Are you using an Enterprise version of Windows 10/11?

[dave_39]

Hi Jeff

Window 11 home edition. Tried Compatibility mode to Windows 98, but just produces a white screen. 

[kglad]

wait.

are you installing ps 6 or ps cs 6?

[dave_39]

Photoshop 6

[kglad]

yikes.

well, win 98 is the correct os for that.

[dave_39]

I have tried that with no success. Just did another uninstall and reinstall and the same again, the program opened, I also opened a photo that was previously edited with this program and I was able to edit, make changes and save. But when I closed it down I get the same error message.  

[kglad]

this is a long shot but it's easy to do.  reset your preferences - https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html

[Jeff Arola]

How much free space is on your hard drive (the drive you have ps 6 installed on)?

[dave_39]

280GB

[Nancy OShea]

@dave_39,

Photoshop 6 or Creative Suite 6 (ver 12)? 

PS 6 was built for Win 95/98.

CS6 (ver 12) was built for Win Vista/7.

AFAIK, PS 6 won't run on Windows 11.  It's entirely beyond it's sell by date.

[kglad]

@Nancy OShea 

asked and answered, ps 6, win 98 compatibility tried.

[Nancy OShea]

@dave_39 

I think it's safe to say you got more than your money's worth out of PS6. 

A modern computer & OS, needs modern software that's compatible.

Photoshop Elements 2023 is 100 x better than PS6 ever was.  It's an affordable option for amateurs and hobbyists who don't need all the bells & whistles (or steep learning curve) of pro-level Photoshop CC. (no subscription required).
https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-elements.html

Creative Cloud Photography Plan (starting at $10/month for 12 months). Includes the following:

• Photoshop CC and Photoshop on iPad
• Camera Raw
• Lightroom digital darkroom for desktop, mobile and the web
• Lightroom Classic
• Portfolio website + hosting
• Adobe Express (free starter plan)
• Bridge
• 20 GB cloud storage (upgradable to 1 TB).
• Free upgrades for paid subscribers

https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography.html

Hope that helps.

[Jeff Arola]

Can you try going to

C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Photoshop 6.0

right clicking on the Photoshp.exe

then Properties and under Compatibilty click

Change settings for all users and set Windows 98/Windows Me

[dave_39]

Thanks, but have already done this without success.

[Jeff Arola]

Did you try Run compatibility troubleshooter?