Folder problem with Vista

[albertrn]

I hope somebody can help me with an annoying problem with locating folders.
I have Vista with SP1 running and I have my pictures installed as you might expect in a folder called C:/Myname>Pictures (that can be seen in some views)but another folder called C:/Myname>Music also has a sub-folder with all the pictures in it as well and that is where Picasa and the Organiser that goes with Photoshop Elements 7 choose to look for images despite my efforts to dissuade them.

I tried taking the sub-folder under Music out but the other software complained so I put it back.

Can anyone explain what is going on here and suggest a solution? I have those two folders with hundreds of photos in each and, for a network, a folder called Public for sharing them. I'm not clear whether these are separate sets of photos taking up a lot of space or the same ones referenced in different places. There is also another folder also rather confusingly called Pictures which contains only a sub-folder called Adobe which is presumably part of Photoshop and must be left alone.

[Fusion]

Is your question regarding Picasa and PE7 not finding the folders that you want it to?
How have you 'dissuaded' them from looking in the wrong places?

[albertrn]

Maybe a little of each? I think it wouldn't arise if I only had the folder I want - C:/MyName>Pictures. I haven't knowingly created any new 'pictures' folders manually although, as you know, it is possible to pick something up and drop it by mistake.

Regarding Picasa I had a look at the settings to see what was being checked and it says 'MyPictures', which isn't a folder that comes automatically with Vista, although it does come with XP. So I don't know what to make of that. I'm reasonably content with the behaviour of Picasa even if I don't understand its methodology.

PE7,however, behaves just as it pleases, choosing random pictures from folders and sub-folders and none from others to include in the Organiser. I tried making a new catalog pointing towards the preferred folder but it was no better. There are images there from MyName>Music>Pictures and MyName>Public>Pictures, but none from the 'master' folder (if that is the right expression). There are other issues with the Organiser which are not for this forum, and I'm beginning to think it is just a rotten piece of software. (The Editor is great though).

However I appreciate that this forum is about Vista and if you can advise me what to do with that then I would know if I have unnecessary duplicates wasting lots of space, and with a bit of luck maybe the other dependant packages might perform as expected.

[Fusion]

Firstly, you have to decide if the the 'additional' Pictures folder(s) are needed. It is as you say very easy to drag and drop files & folders to place by accident. I have my recycle bin next to my 'My Documents' icon on the Desktop. I don't have to say what happens there sometimes!

When you say you have tried to remove a particular 'Pictures' folder, what software complained? That would give you a clue to it's purpose there or the purpose 'you' have given it.

Re Picasa. I'm sure you're aware that if you open Picasa, and look to Tools -> Folder Manager, you can tell Picasa what you want it to monitor.
In the 'Watched folders' section, highlight a folder then choose 'Remove from Picasa'. Do this with all you don't want to be watched, then you tell Picasa what you want it to watch by looking to the Folder list in the left pane, then highlight your choosen folders, then to either 'Scan once or Always scan' your choices. Select the 'Pictures' folder if that's required.

Regarding Photoshop Elements 7, obviously I can't know how you have 'customised' your views etc, but perhaps your concerns regarding the Organiser might be better, as you suggest, placed in another forum ie Graphics & Imaging.

[albertrn]

Thanks for your interest.

This may all be too complicated to tackle by messaging but maybe this offers a clue or two. I have again deleted the Music>Pictures folder and the following happened-

1. the folder MyName>Pictures disappeared

2. Organiser still finds the pictures it had in Music>Pictures, even though I have deleted it, but not the ones in 'Public'

3. In the Start menu 'Pictures' still appears but when clicked it takes me to the folder called 'Public'. I thought I had decided to share my 'Pictures' folder on the network but now all that appears in the 'Shared by Me' folder is the extra folder called 'Pictures' which contains the empty sub-folder 'Adobe'.

4. I can see all the pictures on the other networked computer (XP) from the 'Public' folder.

5. Picasa can now only see pictures stored separately from MyName>Pictures, Music>Pictures or Public.

All very confusing. It would be nice to clear it up but fortunately my pictures are safely backed up.

[Fusion]

It is all rather confusing.

It might by wise to start again with your 'Pictures' folder.

This link -->> Restore a Missing Personal User Folder in Vista <<-- show's how to restore a personal user folder if it has been deleted, in the wrong location, or is missing from your C:\Users\(user name) or Start menu location.

Should you go down this route, backing up photos is recommended. I believe you have already done this.

Perhaps a Vista specialist can intervene before you try this, so hang on to see if anyone can offer advice that I can't.

Good luck however it turns out.

[albertrn]

Thank you.
I have used that link, which is excellent. My Pictures folder is now back in the default position.

Elements Organiser still shows files from MyName>Music>Pictures (although it has been deleted) but it shows them in 'Public' as well so I can use it. I read online that Organiser has lots of bugs but that is something for another day!

Thanks again for your help.

[Fusion]

You're welcome. Pleased to help. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Adobe make their software 'frustratingly painful' to use at times. But lets be honest, it's all part of the fun . . . or should that be challenge?

However, if have tried to simulate your Organizer issue with the deleted folder(s) and although the Organizer still shows the deleted (removed to an external HDD in my case) images at very poor quality, it produces an error box telling me that the file(s) are missing and tries to find them on the HDD(s).
The Organizer obviously keeps a record of what you have or had in it's database.

Deleting the photos from the <u>Organiser</u> should remove them. Operative word 'should'.

Good luck with Photoshop Elements 7 and all it's 'eccentricities'.