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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
  • 1961 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).

MichelBParis
Legend
April 21, 2023

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.


quote

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.


By @josephunit2n

The catalog.pse19db database file is in its own catalog folder,  created with pse2021. The catalog.pse21db file should be in its own different folder. There are never two database versions in the same catalog folder. The organizer can't open if it has not found or created a catalog of the current version. If the organizer opens with an empty catalog, which is normal if you have not accepted the prompt to convert the previous catalog, you can find the catalog name and location from the menu Help > System info of the organizer.

You can rename a catalog or move the folder anywhere else, which means renaming the catalog folder, but the database file will always be named after the version number. So scanning your computer for catalog.pse21db files will find all instances of a catalog created by PSE2023 (version21).

If the organizer opens with an empty catalog, you can use the button to 'convert' the old version 19 catalog to the pse2023 (version 21) format. As a result, a new catalog folder will be created with the same catalog name, and the old version 19 catalog will be kept and renamed with a -1 suffix. It will work with pse2018 as before and can be converted again if necessary.

 

I hope this will help you.