I first had a TG-4, currently use a TG-6. As it's small enough to fit in a pocket and tough enough to survive, it's my backup camera when out and about. Ideal when the weather turns nasty. Can still grab a shot in pouring rain without dragging my main camera out. Plus, when out to dinner and I don't want to carry a camera bag, perfect. The fact it shoots RAW is its advantage for me. It doesn't get much use, but glad to have it.

Myself, before giving up on the program, I'd at least take a look at the event logs and see why it is crashing. The program might not scream but it just might have left a suicide note.

Does the external hdd show up in the disk management window? Does it show as formatted (e.g. NTFS) or is it unformatted (RAW)?

If it shows up as RAW, the MFT might be damaged. I've used GetDataBack (paid, https://www.runtime.org/data-recovery-software.htm) to successfully rebuild damaged MFT's. It's suggested that before attempting repairs on a damaged disk, clone the disk to a new disk, and attempt repairs on the clone, not the original. You want to minimize any additional "wear and tear" on the damaged disk.

https://allthings.how/how-to-open-disk-management-in-windows-11/

Disk Management

Some just don't want their photo taken...

My "tough' all weather camera is my TG-6, started with a TG-4. I've never been underwater with it but it is rated waterproof. Small enough to slip in a large shirt pocket. If the weather is bad or I'm out at night and don't want to carry a camera bag, I'll take it. Shoots RAW.

For extra protection, I use a Lowepro Santiago DV 35 Camcorder Bag - Hard Shell Case For Camcorder and Action Video Cameras, LP36372, from Amazon (there are several model numbers, this model works for my TG-6 plus a couple of batteries). They also sell neoprene cases.

I believe the camera comes with a SMALL lens cap, but I highly recommend the aftermarket lens cover. Olympus sells an original for an obscene price, but the knockoff copies work great (I have both and they work the same, twist to open, twist to close. MUCH MORE convenient than the cap that comes with the camera).

On Amazon, search for
olympus tg-6 accessories
and they'll popup.

I use the Amazon assistant to start a chat session. During the chat session, I periodically copy and paste the session into a text file for documentation purposes. I actually prefer this to voice as I have a hardcopy record. If I have to chat again, I copy and paste the text file into the chat so I don't have to start from zero.

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-event-viewer-windows-10

Hindsight, but you might want to consider Macrium Reflect and periodic backups. I use both the paid version on my own computers and the free version on computers I support. I'd certainly do a full image before I let someone "fix" my computer just as I do before I start to fix a problem. That way I can always get back to the starting point and try again.

I believe that if you already own their 3 individual products, denoise, Sharpen, and GigaPixel, then the free option to download will be found in YOUR account, My Products, as an option to add and download. That's where I found it.

Decades ago, I remember talking with my Dad. He said he was always so busy. I said "How can you be busy? You're retired". Now being retired myself, I know what he means. I now have the time to do what I want, the time to research how to do something correctly (e.g. repair something rather than race to fix on a weekend), and the time to enjoy life. Bored? Never.

Everything, I use that program multiple times a day, one of the first things I install on a computer.

I knew there was a problem when the box was "out for delivery" at 8:00 but hadn't been delivered by 21:00. Delivered the next day with visible "tampering", shipping box opened and resealed.

Best case, the original product box had fallen out of the Amazon box due to insufficient tape; the product box itself was also resealed. Worst case, the product had been tampered with, battery exchanged?

Major companies have outlet stores/warehouses where products with "cosmetic damage to box" are sold at a discount.

One thing when the shipping box is damaged, another when the product box itself is damaged or has been opened. If I pay for "New", I expect "New ".

Amazon replacement arrived in 3 days.

Learned something new... just tried the volume control on my Motorola phone and it worked as a shutter button. Much easier to reach than the screen shutter button.

Striking shot