Eileen writes,
PLEASE HELP!!! What does it mean by "Could not initialize Photoshop because the file is locked"? I changed the first scratch disk from "start up" to my "D drive" which had the most extra space. Since then Photoshop won't start and just giving me that message. What did I do wrong and what can I do to fix it? Thank you for your help! What did I do to my computer....would I be able to fix this on my own?... Please say "yes"...
Yes. Now, about that computer. Just kidding, hopefully I can help you get going again.
First, let's delete the Preferences file.
While holding the keys, launch Photoshop via the Programs menu
While holding the Ctrl + Alt + Shift (PC) or Command + Option + Shift (Mac OSX)
Open the application, choose Start > Programs > Adobe Photoshop CS2
An Alert box appears, "Delete the Adobe Photoshop Settings file?"
Click Yes.
Photoshop should open.
Check the default Preference settings.
Choose Edit > Prefs > Plug-ins and Scratch Disks
The Plug-ins and Scratch Disks Preference dialog box appears.
The startup disk is reset as the Primary Scratch drive.
You might try changing the Primary disk to D drive again, past experience would indicate that this road is one we don't wwant to travel again.
You also could try leaving startup as the Primary and make the D drive your secondary.
Click below to see what Adobe recommends when choosing a Scratch drive.
Should
Scratch drives should be fast. Really fast.
Scratch drives should be Local drives, not on a network.
Should Not
Scratch drives should not be the same drive used for Virtual Memory.
Scratch drives should not be the same drive that you edit huge files on.
Last But Not Least
Defragment the Scratch disk as often as possible.
I am very interested in setting up a Scratch, but not very technical. I am photographer running CS2 on an iMac with 2 external Lacie. Can I create the Scratch disk on one of the Lacie? Thanks for you input. I appreciate any info.
Posted by: Susan | November 18, 2005 at 11:39 PM
wow thanks this really help me out alot.
Posted by: Jamie | September 11, 2006 at 08:15 PM
At least for PC, a possible fix was to make sure that all users had full access to the D:
http://www.graphics-chat.com/photoshop/Could_not_initialize_Photoshop_because_the_file_is_locked_207261.html
Posted by: George Siddiqui | December 05, 2006 at 05:03 AM
I LOVE YOU!!!!
I thought something went wrong with my new Vista and CS3 upgrade!
All fixed!!
Posted by: Ming | August 21, 2007 at 04:26 AM
Thank you! I though there was something wrong with my new computer. Now it's all fixed.
Posted by: April | September 25, 2007 at 01:03 AM
Thank you! Everything now works.
Posted by: Kanat | October 06, 2007 at 09:08 AM
thanks!!
Posted by: pb | December 21, 2007 at 05:16 PM
:) WOW!!!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
I really though my photoshop went dead. I started blayming the vista :s
tried to do something good, but as a result I freaked cause I though I ruined it all
hehe, now nothing's wrong anymore :)
AGAIN THANK YOU
Posted by: tami | March 12, 2008 at 11:10 AM
In Vista 64bit I had the same problem on an external drive. I had to allow all disk operations for the user for the whole drive (in disk properties). Only after this action Photoshop was able to start.
Posted by: Adrique | March 15, 2008 at 03:01 PM
I am desperately trying to follow your instructions at the top of the page regarding the message "could not initialise photoshop because the file is locked"
I am running vista and the moment I press ctl alt del I cannot access the start up menu.
Is there another way that I can use? I am pretty certain the problem arose because of assigning scratch discs.
Posted by: Johnkiddo | March 18, 2008 at 01:20 PM
Ctrl-Alt-Shift. If you still have trouble, you can always try going through the whole start menu, getting to where Photoshop shows up, and just as you are about to click it, hold down those keys and then click.
It just worked for me, thanks!
Posted by: Mike | March 19, 2008 at 11:35 PM
OMG THANK YOU SO MUCH, but how do you defragment a scratch disk? How do you clear it?!? I've been searching and even asking for answers on Google but I've never achieved anything.
Posted by: Linda | April 05, 2008 at 09:39 AM
Genius. Pure Genius. Thanks a lot!
Posted by: scott | May 29, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Thanks, Great Tip! Thought I had to reinstall all, this saved a lot of time for me!
Posted by: Chris | August 17, 2008 at 07:12 AM
could not initialize photoshop because the file is locked. USe the
'properties' command in the windows explorer to unlock the file.
Posted by: shem | September 24, 2008 at 09:44 AM
thank you... the hard drive tip did the job
Posted by: Alex | October 20, 2008 at 12:15 AM
BIG THANKS!! Should have come here first instead of adobe support. Still helping people 3 years later!
Posted by: Chaun | November 10, 2008 at 03:15 PM
could not initialize photoshop because the file is locked. USe the
'properties' command in the windows explorer to unlock the file
Sorry but I do not know how to do this?How I unlock the file?I do not see any,,unlock,, choice.I already spend 3 hours and i can no find how.Can anybody help for non pc profesional
Posted by: miromiro | November 27, 2008 at 04:59 PM
my file is not check ,,Read only,, I realy do not know how to fix Any idea
Posted by: miromiro | November 27, 2008 at 05:42 PM
I can not open my image in photoshop after I edit them and try open again.I get massages I have ,, becouse is not right kind documents,, it is jpg file Can you help me with this problem?
Posted by: mirmiro | November 28, 2008 at 08:25 AM
Worked like a dream! Thanks so much!!
Posted by: Param Bhattacharyya | January 12, 2009 at 02:25 PM
Thank you very much! You helped me a lot. Was stuck, now I´m free!
Posted by: Marcelo Mosmann | January 30, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Thanks you helped me with this problem.
Dan
Posted by: Dan | January 31, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Thank you so much, saved lot of time..
you are great..
Posted by: HOch | February 18, 2009 at 12:30 AM
thanks alot..so much help me
Posted by: sandrichard | February 24, 2009 at 10:33 PM