Fin Fang Foom Has A Question For Computer Geeks

[Guest Fin Fang Foom]

So here's my problem: I'm sitting here working in Photoshop and I try to save changes to a pre-existing file. When I save the chages I get a prompt that says I can't save the changes because the file is "locked" and I need to go into Explorer (under Properties) to change that status. Sooooooooooooooo, I go into Explorer and in Properties there is NOTHING that says anything about "locked".

 

HELP!!![/font size=72]

 

Desperately yours,

 

FFF

[Boston Guy]

RE: Fin Fang Foom Has A Question

 

This can happen if you have opened the file in one application and then opened it again in another one. You can't make changes in the second program until you have saved the file (or at least closed the file) in the first program.

 

Sometimes, though, Windows gets confused and it can think you have two copies of it open someplace when you don't. I've seen this happen occasionally with both Word and Excel.

 

I suggest these steps, in order. After each step, see if you can save the photo:

 

1. If you have the file open in another program, close that program.

2. If you have the photo open in another window in Photoshop, close that window.

3. Close every other window in Photoshop.

4. Close every other program you have open except Photoshop. (This probably won't help, but it's still a reasonable step to take.)

 

If all of this fails, you may have to reboot (which should release all of the file locks) and start over.

 

Perhaps someone else who uses Photoshop regularly -- I don't -- will have another suggestion.

 

Good luck.

BG

[Guest bottomboykk]

RE: Fin Fang Foom Has A Question

 

There's also a slight possibility that somehow the file is "read-only"; I've seen this happen a few times when working on files I've copied off a CD-ROM or have downloaded from an e-mail. In Windows Explorer, right-click on the file and choose Properties. Make sure Read-only is not checked. Then try again.

 

If BG's nor my solutions don't work, I have no idea what to tell you. Good luck.

[Boston Guy]

RE: Fin Fang Foom Has A Question

 

Yes, that's right. That's a very good suggestion. I should have thought of that. :+

 

If it is marked read-only, you may have to lose the changes that you made in that window, but unchecking it might do the trick.

 

Let us know what you find out.

 

BG

[Donnie]

RE: A Question For Computer Geeks

 

>HELP!!![/font size=72]

>

>Desperately yours,

>

>FFF

 

At last, he admits he desperately needs help. It's heartwarming.

[+ deej]

RE: Fin Fang Foom Has A Question

 

>If it is marked read-only, you may have to lose the changes

>that you made in that window, but unchecking it might do the

>trick.

 

I have no experience with photoshop, but toggling a file's read-only attribute while it's open has worked for me in the past.

 

Another option is to choose "Save As" on the file menu, and give it a new name. You can then just work with that file, or once you've figured out how to unlock the original you delete it and rename the new file. You can at least save your work this way.

[Guest Fin Fang Foom]

RE: Fin Fang Foom Has A Question

 

>Another option is to choose "Save As" on the file menu, and

>give it a new name. You can then just work with that file,

>or once you've figured out how to unlock the original you

>delete it and rename the new file. You can at least save

>your work this way.

 

That's how I've been getting around it but I still want to get rid of the files and it won't even let me delete them! When I try, it says: "Cannot delete: Access is denied. The source file may be in use." Which is of course BULLSHIT since they're not being used anywhere!

 

 

Frustratedly yours,

 

FFF

[Boston Guy]

RE: Fin Fang Foom Has A Question

 

Did you try rebooting?

[+ deej]

RE: Fin Fang Foom Has A Question

 

If you get the "may be in use" message even after rebooting, something may be grabbing the file on startup.

 

Some utilities (MS Office has one) grab references to recently used files on startup which may muck around with their availability in Windows explorer. It's done so the next time you use that file, things will go quicker. But you're seeing why I usually turn them off.

 

Find a competent local consultant to look at your system.

 

Of course, it could also be a virus. MAKE SURE YOUR VIRUS SOFTWARE IS CURRENT! (And if it isn't, it may be too late.)

[Guest Fin Fang Foom]

RE: Fin Fang Foom Has A Question

 

>Did you try rebooting?

 

BINGO![/font size=46]

 

In appreciation, I promise, for the next 48 hours, not to use the following words or phrases:

 

1. Prostitute

2. Whore

3. Faggot

4. Screaming like a black lady in church

5. Scott "Don't Touch My Hair" Matthews

6. Matthew "I Get Paid To Have Sex But I'm Not A Prostitute" Rush

7. Donnie is a sick, twisted, demented, worthless, disturbed, piece of shit, pansy asshole

 

Appreciately yours,

 

FFF

[Donnie]

RE: Fin Fang Foom Has A Question

 

>7. Donnie is a sick, twisted, demented, worthless,

>disturbed, piece of shit, pansy asshole

 

It's funny that I've inspired such hatred in you. The truth usually does that, and I only ever speak the truth. You may now return to Photoshopping a dick onto yourself so you can call yourself a "man."

[BuckyXTC]

RE: Fin Fang Foom

 

Problems like this make me so glad I use MacOS. Not to say there aren't some problems on the Mac platform, but rarely anything like this.