"Configuration Error Please uninstall and reinstall the product"

[Pfc__Parts]

I've had CS5.1 installed for a couple of years, today I tried to start Photoshop and I got "Configuration Error Please uninstall and reinstall the product" along with advice to contact Adobe Support if the problem re-occurs. Since contacting Adobe Support is sort of like getting tickets to the Super Bowl I decided not to start there.

Does anyone know the cause of this? Is there anything less time consuming than uninstalling and re-installing that can fix it? My machine has crashed a few times recently, I'm running MacOS 10.6.8 and there seems to be a Flash or Java exploit Firefox is susceptible to that I've fixed with NoScript and a Flash Disabler that may be related, I'm not certain. Photoshop wasn't running during any of the crashes.

I do have a backup of my Applications folder that still works fine (on a different machine), would a restore fix this?

[kglad · Accepted solution]

reset your preferences -

acrobat:  http://help.adobe.com/en_US/acrobat/X/pro/using/WS58a04a822e3e50102bd615109794195ff-7feb.w.html

adobe media encoder: https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1713540

after effects:  http://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/preferences.html

dreamweaver:  https://helpx.adobe.com/dreamweaver/kb/restore-preferences-dreamweaver-cs6-cc.html

flash:  http://helpx.adobe.com/flash/kb/re-create-preferences-flash-professional.html

illustrator:  http://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/setting-preferences.html

indesign:  https://forums.adobe.com/thread/526990

lightroom: https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom/help/setting-preferences-lightroom.html

muse (mac): https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1246022?tstart=0

photoshop:  https://forums.adobe.com/thread/375776

photoshop elements:  https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop-elements/kb/preference-file-locations-photoshop-elements.html,  http://www.photokaboom.com/photography/learn/Photoshop_Elements/troubleshooting/1_delete_preferences...

premiere elements:  https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop-elements/kb/preference-file-locations-photoshop-elements.html

premiere pro: http://www.mediacollege.com/adobe/premiere/pro/troubleshooter/trash-preferences.html

if that fails, uninstall, clean (http://www.adobe.com/support/contact/cscleanertool.html) and reinstall

[Julius23765923yw36]

try with this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mCHRST3-NU

I had the same error, till I saw this video