FiddleMaker Loc: Merrimac, MA

Way back in 2010 I was running Windows7 on an iMac 27-inch machine - running under something called "Bootcamp". So when I did a cold boot, I had the option of running the iMac as a pure iMac or running it as a pure Windows machine. A rather slick idea I guess. Now, if I had an Excel spreadsheet to work on I could boot up under Windows7. MS PowerPoint the same. So that was a nice feature. Not sure if you can still do this but if I were to dump this Dell and get an iMac, I would stay away from Bootcamp and run the iMac as a pure Apple product.

autofocus Loc: North Central Connecticut

thanks for your suggestions and offer of support, very appreciated. For some reason I'm thinking that there has to be a simple solution to this, but I (we) just can't seem to find it, and that's what's frustrating.
And "...they want to take everything you saved for," my God, that is the truth! My wife is younger than me, and as yet not eligible to be on Medicare. And year over year we're getting hammered by the unaffordable "Affordable Care Act" joke! Over the past 3 1/2 years she's had two failed spinal fusion surgeries, and now what appears to be a failed full knee replacement, and 80% of the mail we get is for medical bills from all the different providers...and the $$$ well is getting near dry.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Have you tried “completely” uninstalling CS3 including registry entries, restart, then a clean reinstall? Perhaps in the Safe Mode?

amadjuster Loc: Amarillo, TX

I threw up my hands with my Asus laptop and bought a Macbook Pro and Parallels. I can run Windows priority programs faster than my PC and the Windows 10 updates install flawlessly. Also, MS Office is now for Windows or Mac. My desktop was ancient so I got an IMac 27” and no problems with PS or LR. Whyndo you think professional photographers all use Macs? PS needs 16 gig RAM and a good graphics card with lots of memory. It’s only 💰!

autofocus Loc: North Central Connecticut

I'm not sure if that's a real answer to my problem, my systems boot up in windows, regardless of the version I'm using, and I can't flip between Win 7 and Win 10 on the same PC, but thanks.

autofocus Loc: North Central Connecticut

no, I haven't, but that might have to be my last ditch attempt...thanks!

amadjuster Loc: Amarillo, TX

I can’t believe it! For $9.99 a month you can have the latest versions of LR and PS!

autofocus Loc: North Central Connecticut

well, all professionals don't use Macs, but that's the subject for another day :) And here's the crux of the problem, "It’s only 💰" As a retiree, and if money was not an issue, all things are easy! But......

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Let's blame Photoshop not windows, that doesn't happen on my HP running win10 and PSP

knoxworks Loc: Western Mass.

Hi Autofocus. I'm in a very similar situation regarding retirement. The only benefit for me is that my stress level is down. (it's time for a new timing belt on my car; I'd rather be buying a new Canon.) Good luck! :)

amadjuster Loc: Amarillo, TX

How much memory and what kind of graphics card? Which processor? 4 year old PC’s are ancient.

autofocus Loc: North Central Connecticut

the simple answer, and I know many others feel the same way, and it's that we don't like the idea of having to "rent the service" when we already own it. It's like owning a car, but continuing to have to pay monthly payments for the luxury of using it. If you took the time to read through this entire thread (and my apologies if you already did) you will see that I've used the product that I own for years, and have edited over 60,000 images over those years with no problems. Simply stated, it provides all the functionality that I need, and I'm quite comfortable with it. And it's not just the $9.99 fee alone, as the rented version would require me to also upgrade my old desktop, (which is my preferred editing platform, and not a laptop, or a $$$$ Mac, or a Mac Book) and I'd have to drop $1500 - $2000 dollars on a replacement on a supported PC. And again, if you read through the comments, you will see that I am retired living on a fixed income, and money does become an issue when you reach these "golden years." And I'm only doing what I'm currently doing on a laptop because it's my only choice right now, and also the DNG converter was not supported on my old XP machine. So right now I'm stuck doing my edits on a laptop running Windows 10, and converting RAW files to DNG before I can do my edits...life is good :)

autofocus Loc: North Central Connecticut

yes, not having a regular paycheck sucks, and I can relate to the feeling about car problems, I'm living that problem myself. You know, it's so easy for the folks not in our situation to say, "buy this" or "upgrade to this." I worked in a field for 41 years that did not offer retirement benefits like pensions and full medical coverage for life for you and your spouse. Those that have that are very fortunate, and along with SS life in the retirement years can be a lot easier.

insaneo Loc: Byram, ms.

My wife passed away Nov 2017. Just the medical bills and burial added up to megabucks. I might be "lucky" in the sense that I use the VA, which isn't all roses. I think your photoshop problem is really a minor problem. Also not that I like windows any better than macs. Can't really see a difference so I wouldn't dare go out and purchase a mac thinking it'll solve the problem. Btw reinstalling photoshop that someone else suggested seems like a fairly good possible solution. If the problem reoccurs then you know it wasn't photoshop and can look elsewhere. And cut off all startup programs you don't need and stop any background apps from draining resources. It's a headache, but!!

autofocus Loc: North Central Connecticut

yeah, it just might be my only option, and thanks again!