Expert: Scott Valentine - 12/20/2009

Question
Hi, I'm not sure if this an appropriate questions, but can you tell me why when i try to open bigger files/ create new documents at least 8" X 11" with 300 dpi, photoshop crashes? I currently run photoshop CS4, and my computer has plenty of room and RAM.

Thanks

Answer
Hi Derrick,

The obvious things to try are resetting the preferences file, and checking for any updates to Photoshop, your operating system and video card drivers (or a full system update if you want to cover all the bases).

Failing that, I'd recommend you open a ticket with Adobe and see if they can take a look at your log files. If you get a dialog box that pops up when Photoshop crashes asking to send in a report, add your name and email in the description area, then before you submit it, open your web browser and enter a support request. That will give you a ticket number, which you can add to the crash report (say you are doing this in the trouble ticket).

Without more details, I'm not sure what else to suggest. In the extreme case, if you were previously able to create the files you want, try uninstalling and reinstalling Photoshop after you reset the preferences file.

Ah... one more thing that may be contributing is your fonts list. The entire list is loaded when you select the Type tool, and sometimes this can lead to problems. Try opening Photoshop, opening a new file that doesn't crash, and select the type tool. If that causes a crash, too, then you might need to do a little digging in your fonts folder.

Please let me know if you have other details you can provide about this, and whether you are able to submit a support request.

Cheers,

-Scott