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josephunit2n
Known Participant
April 18, 2023
Answered

Can't open catalogue in just updated PSE2023 - Windows 10

  • April 18, 2023
  • 1 reply
  • 1959 views

After installing the updated version of PSE2023 (offered within the application), my most used catalog won't appear, won't open (was working fine, until the upgrade).     I did find the catalogue browsing in "custom location".  I tried to run the "convert" process, and it failed.  Please help!!  

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer MichelBParis

Idea#2:  I have created a PSE2023 backup of the problem catalog, on an entirely different external drive.  If I "restore" from this, some recent photos will be lost - perhaps a fair price to more easily end the problem.  In that backup file, in addition to the photos, I see some types of "system" files, but NOT "catalog.pse21db".  I presume that is normal (??).  If I use the "restore" function, I do not want to run this catalogue from the backup location.  How would I move it to the external drive I do use for all active PSE catalogues?  I've used "copy/move to external drive" to move individual photos - would I use it to move an entire catalog?  Or, should I manually "copy/paste" the entire catalog to the new, desired external drive - disconnect the external drive/backup drive, from which it had been "restored" - then in Organizer search the drive where I "pasted" it (from there, will it open?  need I first "convert" it?).

** I guess, if this method is used, I could then go the the failed original catalog (before I permanently delete it) and "copy" all missing photos, add them back to the new, restored catalog.

**Another concern: If I "restore" to the same external drive holding the original, problem catalogue, what will happen?  Will I be asked if ok to overwrite the original?  Before the "restore", should I modify the name of the original problem catalog (then, I could later extract any missing photo files, then finally delete this catalog)?


quote

Idea#2:  I have created a PSE2023 backup of the problem catalog, on an entirely different external drive.  If I "restore" from this, some recent photos will be lost - perhaps a fair price to more easily end the problem.

Yes, try that solution

quote

In that backup file, in addition to the photos, I see some types of "system" files, but NOT "catalog.pse21db".  I presume that is normal (??).

 

Yes, because a backup folder is not a simple copy. The saved catalog database is renamed 'catalog.buc' whatever the version of PSE.

quote

 If I use the "restore" function, I do not want to run this catalogue from the backup location.  How would I move it to the external drive I do use for all active PSE catalogues?  I've used "copy/move to external drive" to move individual photos - would I use it to move an entire catalog?  Or, should I manually "copy/paste" the entire catalog to the new, desired external drive - disconnect the external drive/backup drive, from which it had been "restored" - then in Organizer search the drive where I "pasted" it (from there, will it open?  need I first "convert" it?).

** I guess, if this method is used, I could then go the the failed original catalog (before I permanently delete it) and "copy" all missing photos, add them back to the new, restored catalog.

**Another concern: If I "restore" to the same external drive holding the original, problem catalogue, what will happen?  Will I be asked if ok to overwrite the original?  Before the "restore", should I modify the name of the original problem catalog (then, I could later extract any missing photo files, then finally delete this catalog)?


By @josephunit2n

The backup folder is not a catalog folder copy. Imagine it's like a "zipped" version storing both the image files and the catalog. It can ONLY be used to restore (unzip) both the photo files and the catalog. to the new location you decide. It is usually on the internal or external drive you have chosen. It's not impossible, but a bad idea, to restore on the same external drive as the backup folder on a new master folder outside of the backup folder.

If you decide to restore on the original location, you'll get prompts and warnings to ask you what you want to do, overwrite or skip.

quote

1 reply

MichelBParis
Legend
April 18, 2023

A free update does not require a conversion. Once you have found the custom location of your catalog, have a look inside the catalog folder and double click the file

catalog.pse21db

to open the organizer with the catalog.

 

josephunit2n
Known Participant
April 20, 2023

Further, after the notes (below), I went again to Default Apps Settings, now seeing option to search actual file extensions; found .pse19db - with no associated app (below it, .pse21db HAD Photoshop Elements 2023 associated) - I cliked it, and pop up said "There is no installed app for this type of file or protocol" (gave the option to seach Microsoft, which gave NO results).

josephunit2n
Known Participant
April 20, 2023
quote

Further, after the notes (below), I went again to Default Apps Settings, now seeing option to search actual file extensions; found .pse19db - with no associated app (below it, .pse21db HAD Photoshop Elements 2023 associated) - I cliked it, and pop up said "There is no installed app for this type of file or protocol" (gave the option to seach Microsoft, which gave NO results).


By @josephunit2n

 

Let's start with what happened when you received the warning of a new update for your current PSE2023 (which is version 21).

From your previous posts I see that you ran the update successfully (no error message) at least for the editor, but you lost the connection to your current catalog.

 

My post was to make clear that an update keeping the current version number (21) did not change the format of the catalog database and did not require a 'conversion'. You have found the location of your catalog folder, which contains the catalog.pse21db database file;  if the update was really successful you only have to tell the organizer to start with that catalog. Two ways to do that:

- as indicated, double clicking the catalog.pse21db file

- or starting the organizer while keeping the shift key pressed, and from the contextual menu, navigating to the found location.

 

The option to double click supposes that the association is right. It should be associated to the organizer, not the editor.

That's what I have now after the recent PSE2023 update.

 

Side note: my catalog and photo files folders are on an external drive shared between two computers by plugging alterntively to each one. The catalog will be recognized even if only one of my PSE2023 is updated. No need to convert.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Seems to me, the problem is the "catalog.pse19db" file, in the problem catalog.  If it must be updated to "catalog.pse21db", how may that be done?  I am puzzled how this catalog was functioning without problem, in PSE 2023, UNTIL the program update.