Very likely you don't have enough RAM, PhotoShop gobbles RAM like a child in a candy store. How much RAM is on the two PCs you mention?

Have you defragmented your hard disk lately? If not, do so. Your swap file [virtual memory on the hard disk] may not be able to find a big enough block of free space to operate properly.

Btw, what OS have you, and how much free space is available on your hard disk?

ohh yeahh.. im thinkin it is the ram then.. because on this computer i only have 224MB of ram.. on the other computers ive had.. 512mb.. i think i will need to upgrade that.. but yeah i just formatted my comp so i dont think i have teo defragment it.. and i have about.. 146 GB free on the hard disk..

Wow, big hard disk

If you're using Windows XP or probably Win2000, 224MB is definitely too low for Photoshop. Even with Win9X, you don't have much room for large files.

224MB is an odd number, sounds like 3x64+32 or 128+64+32. If all those chips aren't the same memory type and speed, it could cause trouble.

If you get additional RAM, make sure you only use matched chips.

Very good advice for this problem.

This site seems to break these problems down pretty nicely: http://www.backupbook.com/03Freezes_...0.default.html

actually its only ONE.. weird huh.. i thought so too.. itsj ust one chip.. in thre thats 224mb.. odd to me too.. i will be replacing it soon it should work.. thanks guys

Onboard graphics, 32Mb allocated to video memory.

And yes, I'd agree you need more RAM installed. But I'm also wondering. You said you've just formatted. Are you sure you correctly installed the motherboard chipset drivers and also the display drivers?

how would i do that?

Did you have an Installation CD for the motherboard? If it's a 'name brand' computer, did you use the Revocery Cd or whatever other means was provided to restore the PC to its original state?

If it's a name brand PC what is the make and modsel number please? If not, what is the make and model number of the motherboard? The drivers are obtainable from the manufacturer websites.


If all you have done is to format and load Windows again, then your system is most likely using 'generic' drivers for its components, which may not be providing full functionality.

here i am back again.. well.. heres what i found out.. my other computer has only about 256 mb ram.. not much more than i have on this computer (224mb) and it has a 1.7 celeron.. while my computer has a 2.5.. still that computer doesnt have any conflicts with Photoshop.. and its using winXP.. i jus dont seem to understand whats wrong with it on my computer.