Picasa Starter Installation and DB Copy problems

[SteveS801]

Windows 7 SP1, all updates current and Picasa 3.9.0, 136.04, 0. I have installed PS2 to C:\Users\Steve\Pictures\Picasa Starter v2.0. Inside the PS2 folder is a subfolder Personal Database Backup, and inside that is the Google folder containing the actual database.

From:  https://sites.google.com/site/picasastartersite/users-guide/installation

Minor: Was this page translated from Dutch? Navagatie remains, if so. (Picasa Error 01.png)

Errors:

Step 6: "Your new database should be listed in the Destination box."

It is.

"Click Explore for this database as well. Another windows Explorer window will open showing the new database Google folder."

It won't open the folder (Google), as it does not exist (PE2). It won't create it, either, I must do it manually, then explore in Picasa Database Configuration.

Step 8: "Click Run Picasa and Picasa should start using the new database."

It does not, the error about the txt file, PicasaRunning (PE3) is displayed.

"If there is a problem click the Edit button to go back to the Configuration dialog and make sure the settings are correct and the database folders have been copied correctly to the destination folder."

All is well.

"If the database isn't correct you can erase the Picasa2 and Picasa2Album folders from the Destination and copy them again."

I did, just in case.

"You should now be able to run Picasa with this new database."

No. Well, not completely, anyway. First, I try to create the PicasaRunning.txt as a test of what may happen. In the PDB folder and all subfolders, I cannot create a blank txt file or anything except a New Folder (which does not apply to the Pictures folder or anything above it), so I create the PicasaRunning.txt on the desktop and move it to PDB. I must assume that this is also why PS2 could not create or alter the items it wanted to.

Then, I try to click "Run Picasa" again. I am asked, "Are you sure there is no other Picasa running using the same database?" I assume this is what is meant by this statement, "NOTE:...PicasaStarter warns the user if anyone else is accessing the same database." (from https://sites.google.com/site/picasastartersite/) (PE4)? If this is a warning or meant to be a confirmation and is functioning as intended, they could have worded it better to stop us from thinking it was a malfunction.

Now, after telling Picasa Starter that I am the only Picasa user at the moment, the following 11 errors are displayed (Because PS2 cannot create or edit files in these folders, maybe?), in this order (PE5-15):

CBlockFile::OpenBlock err=11, cacheindex_0

CBlockFile::OpenBlock err=11, albums_0.db

CBlockFile::OpenBlock err=11, profilephotos_0.db

CBlockFile::OpenBlock err=11, thumbs_0.db

CBlockFile::OpenBlock err=11, thumbs2_0.db

CBlockFile::OpenBlock err=11, bigthumbs_0.db

CBlockFile::OpenBlock err=11, previews_0.db

CBlockFile::OpenBlock err=11, facetemplatesV2_0.db

CBlockFile::OpenBlock err=11, albumdata_0

CBlockFile::OpenBlock err=11, catdata_0

CBlockFile::OpenBlock err=11, imagedata_0

After clicking through all the errors, Picasa opens, but with placeholders instead of images or thumbnails (PE16). Running the original Picasa master program functions normally.

As I post this, I will try installing in different areas, but I am still posting to inform of the errors that occurred here.

Thanks in advance for the help.

[SteveS801]

Could upload all 16 at once, but error #357 wouldn't let me post all 16 screenshots at once.

[earlboss]

Hi Steve:

The site originator and owner is The_Roggy, and that is his native language.

 

I think you need to do a folder arrangement a little more open I am not exactly sure what will happen in operation if the databases are subdirectories of the Executable directory which is itself a subdirectory of the pictures, but could you maybe have the pictures in one folder, PS in another folder and the database in another? I am worried about the database being in a folder that is scanned.

 

See the suggestions in some of the documentation.

 

Now I have to make you Madder, because I have to leave for a party and don't have time to give you the support you deserve at the moment.

 

Sorry,

Earl

[SteveS801]

I'm not going to get mad at your party, Earl. Happy 4th. What I will get mad at, however, is...Well, go back to the other forum (or check your email).

[SteveS801]

Alright, I suppose I may have been a bit angry earlier and maybe I overreacted. I suppose that is no longer the case. So, I accept your apology for the lack of explanation, and in turn, I apologize for jumping down your throat. I was just frustrated at the software not performing as expected and then being hit with (as I read it): "It's not even Google software, so keep it hush-hush, or we'll all get in trouble." I didn't know if the software was legitimate, stable or even if it was clean (although AV didn't say anything about it). So, yes, maybe I was a bit hot-headed about it. I deleted my posts, as you requested, now you can do the same so the thread will disappear. If it matters to you, you can delete the reference to that thread from the last post you made here, also.

I never asked you to be sorry for developing the software or for helping, I didn't even ask you to be sorry for omitting the information about the program, although I was angry that that's what happened. What I would like, though, is just to be more careful with our words in the future. If you'll try to explain things in more detail, I'll try not to fly off the handle.

And, just because: Starter works fine now that it's not located in My Pictures.

[Delete, Repost]: Forgot to delete the reference to the other thread.

On Wednesday, July 4, 2012 10:54:52 PM UTC-7, earlboss wrote:

Hi Steve:

Just so someone doesn't have to go back to the other forum to find it, Here is your message on the Picasa for Windows user Forum.

 

It is in response to my attempted explanation that PicasaStarter was an open source utility and as such was not endorsed by Picasa. As anyone can see I did not explain what PS was well enough and for that I am sorry.

 

I am not sorry though for helping to develop this application, nor for trying to help people on the Picasa for Windows forum, although I will certainly be more circumspect in how I help them.

 

Earl

 

[Daftlad]

I am managing to make good use of Picassa Starter, it was obvious to me from the outset that it was not a Google product & I find it no more buggy than some Google products (ex Google Sync) - people that know me might say that these facts mean that Picasa Starter must be idiot proof.  Add to that the fact that there are people such as Earl willing to assist users - that's something rare when it comes to Google.  SteveS801, can you tell me why you feel any sort of entitlement whatsoever from the Picassa Starter guys?  I can't see any adverts or other possible revenue stream associated with it (yet at least).  For a voluntary offering I think you're adopting a pretty demanding stance; I think if Earl is not as careful with his words as you would like or if there is not as much detail in his explanations as you would like, then you should just find a better alternative rather than demanding he change to suit you. 

[earlboss]

Hi Steve:

Thank you for deleting your posts over there, and I have deleted mine.

 

We just got off on the wrong foot and were both being a bit touchy I think.

 

I'm glad PicasaStarter is working better for you now.

 

 

One thing I should mention that may not be obvious in the documentation - The database(s) would be better to not be in the PS Program folder either, because if you ever use the backup function, one of the things it backs up is the Program directory (or actually the settings directory which is usually the program directory) and sub directories, and if the databases are there they will be backed up twice I think.

 

Earl

 

 

 

Hi Daftlad:

Steve was just disappointed in what he thought was a Google product giving him problems, and then when he tried to ask questions, I basicaly told him to stop asking them there and go somewhere else (here).  Since he thought I was representing Picasa that didn't sit so well.

[the_roggy]

Oops... I missed some action here apparently, luckily it worked out fine after all...

[Elissa Morris]

  I am have the same issues wit all the error messages an havent got the foggiest of what to do so fustrating 

[Steve Springer]

I just uninstalled it completely and wrote google a nasty worded feedback.

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[earlboss]

Hi: Elissa and Steve:

 

Are you having a problem with PicasaStarter or Picasa?

 

If it is PicasaStarter, that is not a Google product so sending feedback about PS  to them won't help, but we would be happy here to help with problems associated with our App.  Either reply in this thread or start a new one and tell us what the problem is.

 

Thank you,

Earl