Could not initialize photoshop because the scratch disks are full

[darktree27]

Hi, I am getting this error message when I try to launch Photoshop 7.0.1:
"Could not initialize photoshop because the scratch disks are full" and then Photoshop closes.

I am running XP SP3, I have a 2 TB hard drive (which I heard was a problem), and I have tried deleting the "PluginCache.psp" file but I still got the same error message. I can run photoshop 6.0 with no problems, I have not been able to run 7.0 since I installed. I just updated to 7.0.1 hoping it would fix the problem, but it did not help either.

Is there a patch, or a way to get around this issue?

Thanks...

[The-experiment]

I think it's a problem with your memory, cause probably it means that your computer can't manage to handle the amount of data-traffic photoshop needs to start up.

So there are 2 options, upgrade your pc. Or keep working with photoshop 6.

Good luck,

Justin / The-experiment

[darktree27]

Um.. No.. it's not my memory. I have 8 GB of RAM in my PC...

[tscreative]

The problem comes with the selection of scatch disk. If you are using the same disk that Photoshop is on as your scatch disk, the app sees this as a conflict as it may overwrite portions of the file even as you are working on it. Its always better to use a separate disk or a partition as a scatch disk.

[admin]

No... incorrect, TS.

Versions 7 of Photoshop will not address "gigs" of storage on newer computers.

You must upgrade to a new version of Photoshop.

[denparrish]

@Admin - On one of my PCs, I've been using Photoshop 7 first with only one 500 Gb working fine, then I added a second 500 Gb drive and it continues to work fine. Did you possibly mean it doesn't address "Terabytes"? I'm asking because I now have a different PC with a 1.5 Terabyte drive and PS7 no longer works, displaying the scratch dish error being discussed.

[fred]

There is a ceiling for Photoshop 7. I do not recall how many "hundreds of megs" but there's a definite ceiling.

If you're working with 500 Gigs, then it's a good idea to partition your drive anyway. So set up a scratch disk in a partition that has 2.5 times the size of the largest file size you'll ever use. For instance ... say about a 100 meg file is as large as you'll ever get. So a 300 to 900 meg scratch partition would work fine.

Always remember periodically to EMPTY and ERASE your scratch partition. That way it's clean and fresh again.

** Invest in Photoshop CS. Their memory management is improved such that scratch is really no longer an issue.

** NEVER let your hard drive get over 90% full. Always keep at a very minimum 10% of the drive clear and open.

SEARCH in these forums ... there are lots of tips and posts regarding memory management and scratch disks.

[luluxiuu]

If you are using the same disk Photoshop scatch disk, the application as a conflict, because it may cover part of the file, even if you are working. It is always better to use a separate disk or disk partition as a scatch.

[arigatou]

If you are using Photoshop on the scatch disk in the same disk, the application as a conflict, because it may cover part of the file for you, even if you work.

[chiefkyle]

Registered simply to answer this question.

Was having the same issue as you. Am using two 640gig hdd in raid striping = 1.2tb. I shrunk the volume to 617gigs and now it works fine.

Photoshop 7 cannot use drives over (guessing) 1tb. Have to repartition the drive to make it smaller (in my case 617gigs).