Photoshop Elements won't open, computer says not enough RAM; why?

[maryn14887655]

A few days ago I was working in PS Elements 2.0 as usual.  I know the software is ancient but it does the things I need it to do.  I use it to create backgrounds and banner graphics for my personal fanfic website.  I finished working on a file and closed it.  Then I tried to reopen PSE 2.0 and it wouldn't open.

Screen message said "couldn't initialize Photoshop Elements 2.0 due to insufficient RAM" or similar wording.  I checked my computer settings and C drive has 60.9 GB in use out of 441 GB total. 

I did a defrag and disk cleanup, ran CCleaner, uninstalled and reinstalled PSE Elements 2.0, and uninstalled an app I had accidentally downloaded that is for gaming and I don't need.  I turned the computer off and turned it back on again.  I also deleted quite a few graphics files I no longer needed.

All of these steps were repeated several times.  Still getting the same error message and can't open the program.  Can anyone help? 

I would almost break down and buy a newer version of PSE but if my computer's RAM is actually insufficient for PSE 2.0, surely that wouldn't help! 

[John T Smith]

RAM = Random Access Memory, which has NOTHING to do with hard drive space

What is your operating system, and how much RAM (not hard drive space) do you have?

[maryn14887655]

I have Windows 10.  4.0 GB, with 3.48 GB usable.

[John Waller]

I would almost break down and buy a newer version of PSE

You're trying to run 14 year old software on a current spec computer and up-to-date operating system. Issues like this are almost inevitable.

You can get Photoshop Elements 15 from Adobe for US$60 as a Black Friday special.

Official Adobe coupons, promos, special offers and discounts

Amazon is offering it for $40

https://www.amazon.com/Adobe-65273274-Photoshop-Elements-15/dp/B01LRR2TSA?th=1

Why not try out the trial version of Elements 15 for free and see if you like it before the Black Friday special offer expires?

Download Photoshop Elements free trial | Adobe Photoshop Elements

[maryn14887655]

You don't think the RAM issue would cause a problem?  That's my main concern with updating--I could pay for a new version of PSE and what if it still didn't work?

[Peru Bob]

Install the trial version as suggested and you will know if it solves the problem:

Download Photoshop Elements | 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10

[John Waller]

The RAM issue may be a non-issue for the current version of Elements. It could be ancient program code in version 2.0 which triggering a false error since it's interacting with hardware and an operating system (Win 10) which did not exist when version 2.0 was written. We'll probably never know.

Download and install the free trial. If there are no issues on your current computer, then an upgrade to version 15 is the best course of action.

[maryn14887655]

Thanks, I will do that

[maryn14887655]

After downloading the free PSE 15 trial, I worked on a couple of images.  Due to some changes in the configuration of the screen work area, it was a little more complicated, but I was able to do what I wanted to do with no issues.  Will keep trying for a day or so before making a buy, but it's looking likely that I'll choose that route.

Thank you all for your help, suggestions, and explanations.

[John Waller]

Good to hear. Best wishes with your projects.

[Jeff Arola]

I would reset the pse 2 preferences and see if that fixes the starting problem.

Go to

C:\Users\User Name\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Photoshop\Elements

and drag the

Photoshop Elements 2.0 Prefs

folder to the Recycle Bin