1 Correct answer
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
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' wh
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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.
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.
*I did a system search for "catalog.pse21db" in Documents -
By @josephunit2n
There is no reason to search in Documents. By default Adobe stores the catalogs under the master folder:
C:\ProgramData > Adobe > Elements Organizer > Catalogs
When searching for catalogs (that means catalog folders), users generally do an Explorer search including all their drives. If they know what PSE version they are after, they search for the database file catalog.pseXXdb, XX being the PSE version. For instance, you'll find all the catalogs for PSE2023 searching from "catalog.pse21db". You may find several instances of those catalog folders. Looking for dates and size of those catalogs, you may get an idea of which is what you want.
* I don't understand your reference to "Help -- System info": there, I only see info. about the currently open catalogue (which, obviously, is not the problem catalogue).
By @josephunit2n
The reference is simply to remind users of how to search for the location of the currently opened catalog on your drive. The command to "manage" catalogs has only options to search for catalogs to convert, which often implies checking different options to widen the search scope. With catalogs on custom location, you'll probably need to do an Explorer search anyway.
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
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.
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.
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