Photoshop Elements 8 backup process keeps failing

[katherinew98915509]

I am having trouble backing up my PSE 8 on my old computer to an external hard drive so I can move it to my new computer. After an hour and a half and about 60% completion, I get the error message "Error Encountered While Writing File".  When I open the folder on my external hard drive, it has a bunch of files listed (B0000000.dat, B0000001 (on up to B0065532), catalog.buc).  There are no jpg files listed and no Backup.tly file (which is apparently the holy grail and critical piece to moving the catalog over).

I have tried all of the troubleshooting tips I can find online (such as making sure I make a new folder in the external hard drive, reconnecting missing files, optimizing, deleting any video files in the catalog), but I still keep getting the error message.  I've gone through the process at least 5 times (after trying the fixes above), and it still won't work.  I called customer service, but they said my only option for me to find the fix is the forum.  Can anyone please help?  I have over 45,000 pictures in my catalog, and I can't even fathom the idea of starting the tagging process again.  I'd really appreciate any help you can give!

[Akash Sharma]

Moved to Photoshop Elements​

[MichelBParis · Accepted solution]

Unfortunately, there does not seem to be any easy fix. Finding the problem file blocking the process is problematic.

You might try the following steps:

1 - for safety, create a simple copy of your image folder tree on an external drive with your explorer/finder or backup utility (create a new master folder as the destination).

2 - Instead of a backup, once you have your above copy for safety, you can try to move your whole folder tree by drag and drop in folders mode to the external drive. That takes time, be patient. Either the move will be successful or not. If not, chances are you'll find the offending file(s). If it succeeds, that will mean you can go to the next step.

3 - Find your catalog folder (menu Help >> System information). Copy that folder to your external drive directly under the root folder.

4 - Try to work with the catalog copy and the moved media files. Double click on the catalog.pse8db file to start the organizer with the new catalog. Test it. Anyway, even if that works, you'll probably have the same problem to do a backup.

5 - Plug in the external drive to the new computer. Starting the catalog in the external drive should work immediately if PSE8 is installed.

6 - If you prefer to have the media files in the new computer instead of the external drive, do the move from external drive to the new computer. You can use the catalog manager to move the catalog folder from the external drive to the default internal location. Or you can simply copy the catalog folder in the default location you have found with Help >> System information in step 3 (use the explorer or finder).