Brian

Adobe's current products have a few minor quirks with Mojave and there are work-arounds. Of course, this info is a bit dated, so I'm hoping Adobe has fixed a few things. Download and try it. If things happen or you get an error message, report back. Personally, I haven't upgraded to Mojave.

OK, if you want to install Windows 7 Pro that Microsoft gave you, that's fine since you are upgrading your laptop within the next year or so. Just be sure to do all the Windows Updates before Microsoft pulls the plug a year exactly from now. If you want to install Windows 10 Pro, that will cost you $199. I'm cheap. Windows 7 for your old laptop is fine.

Yep. 16GB is the maximum for your laptop. Fan might just need to be blown out.

I thought Microsoft had you use the Download Tool and create a Thumb Drive with Windows 10? They gave you a new key and everything. Do you not have a Thumb Drive with Win 10 Pro? Or do you just have an install key that they e-mailed you? If you need to create a Win 10 Pro Thumb Drive, download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft. You will need a blank Thumb Drive, I recommend at least a 8GB Sandisk Thumb Drive, or just get a 16GB Version since they are so cheap these days. Insert the new Thumb Drive into your computer, let it detect and open "My Computer" or "Computer" in the start menu and right click on it and do a quick format. In the Volume Label Box, give it a name like WININSTALL, WIN10PRO or something similar / unique / obvious. Leave everything else at the default selections like NTFS, etc. and leave the "Quick Format Checkbox, checked. Hit Start at the bottom and let it format, should take less than a minute or so. Now Open the Media Creation Tool. You will want to create a 64-bit Windows 10 Pro meant for "Another Computer." Now it seems the Migration Tool has changed slightly, but here is a decent instructional video that you should watch. Even though the screens might have changed, the process should be familiar after watching the video. You want a "English Version," "Windows 10 PRO" and "64 - Bit" if asked then tell it you want to create a Thumb Drive and not a .ISO file, which is a DVD. Oh, just straight Windows 10 Pro, no other letters or whatever after it. The Media Creation Tool will then connect to Microsoft's servers, download the file and install it onto the Thumb Drive. Then after you install the HDs, set them up as RAID 1, you simply boot off the Thumb Drive and follow the prompts to install Windows. (Insert the Thumb Drive before powering on.) You might have to use the "Boot Manager" with your laptop. That could be the F12 key or F9, or even F11 depending on your computer. When you power the computer on, look for something like "Hit F9 to enter boot menu" or "F12 Boot Manager," something along those lines on the POST Screen. (The Dell Logo Screen.) Then select the Thumb Drive in the list and it should boot off the Win 10 Pro Thumb Drive. Clear as Mud?

No. (Brian throws Nerf Football in your direction...) Awesome, purchase those 1TB SSD Drives from Crucial.com. Your RAID Controller might have the drivers built in but the only way to find out is to actually try installing new drives. Remove existing Hard Drives Put a sticky note on which section of your laptop the original HDs came from. (left side / right side or bay 1 / bay 2.) This is important if we need to re-install them. Use a piece of tape to make sure the sticky notes don't fall off the old HDs. Install new Hard Drives. Configure new Hard Drives as a RAID1 (Drive Mirroring) Boot from Windows 10 Pro Thumdrive install a fresh copy of Windows 10 Pro. Remember, "Upgrade" is not in your vocabulary. Create Administrator Account & follow the prompts. Run Windows Updates. Create your own Admin Profile with your name. I can give instructions on how to do this. It's good practice to have a separate and dedicated Administrator Account and to create a separate Daily Admin Account to work from, usually this is your name and not "Administrator." This way you have a backup login if things go wrong / stuff gets corrupted.

Ah-ha!! I found out how to install older versions!! Head to your PS CC Manager. Click the Down Arrow Next to the word Open and then Select Manage. From there choose "Other Versions" and choose which older version you want to install.

Dell M6400? Ugh. I'm going to go bang my head against the wall. I hate laptops. Such a PITA when you need to fix them. We now have to worry about physical size of your hard drives and the type of interface that they use. It's not as straightforward as a desktop computer. Bonus Points: Dell has discontinued it and the manuals for it aren't coming up so I'm kinda blind at this point. From where I stand, there is no hope for your existing partition; as far as I'm concerned, your hard drives are "Contaminated," for lack of a better term. In my honest and professional opinion, (doing this for almost 26 years) you either need to install new hard drives, or at the very least delete the current partition(s) and then re-install Windows 10 Pro. Anything other than a full "Nuke" (Delete Existing Partitions) is going to put you right back to the same spot as you are now. It's like you have some sort of "Virus" (for lack of a better term) and no matter how many "scans" or re-installations you do, it's not going to fix your problem. You need a clean slate to work from; the word "re-install" or even "Upgrade from Windows 7" is no longer part of your vocabulary. Your Windows is so corrupted, it is not repairable. Permissions and Folder Ownership Problems are nasty and usually aren't repairable. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news; believe it or not, you will fix your problem within a day or so rather than months by working from a clean slate. Now, since you have a RAID Setup, you will need the RAID Controller Drivers or else Windows will freak out and won't install.So before doing anything, try to create the Dell Recovery Media if that is an option. I'm more concerned about the RAID Drivers more than anything. If you have a repair shop to take your laptop to, do it. Have them delete your current C Drive partition and have them install Windows 10 Pro. (Bring along your license key.) Hopefully their labor fees are reasonable since we aren't going to try and "fix" this problem and just need a huge reset done on your laptop and go from there.

I received it, thanks.

THIS IS A VERY GOOD THING. To answer your question, when you purchase a store-bought / name-brand PC, Dell, HP, Toshiba, Sony, whatever...you actually do not purchase a Microsoft Windows License, but one that was given to the manufacture, and then that license is sold / forwarded to you. So it's not a "Microsoft Windows OEM" License but a "HP Version" of Microsoft Windows or a "Dell Version" of Microsoft Windows, or whatever. It works exactly the same as a OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) copy of Windows directly purchased from Microsoft; it just has to do with the licensing more than anything. (Another Splitting Hairs thing.) So by having Microsoft giving you a new license key, and getting the installer .ISO on a thumb-drive, has helped things immensely, even though it doesn't seem like it has and ties in with my idea. There is light at the end of the proverbial tunnel, and it's not an oncoming train. Since you are already backed up and have nothing to lose except time, we are ready to proceed with my idea. This should only take a day or so to get you up and running 100% and probably a week to get EVERYTHING reloaded, but at the end you will once again have a stable system, AND quite possibly install and run PS CC 2019 with no problems... What we are going to do is remove your existing hard drive, have you purchase a brand new main hard drive, and install a fresh Windows 10 Pro on that new HD with the key provided from Microsoft. Hopefully, this is a desktop computer and not a stupid laptop, which WILL complicate things if it's a laptop. I personally use and HIGHLY RECOMMEND the Western Digital Caviar Black Line of Internal Hard Drives. You could purchase a 1TB 7200RPM Model for about $72, or go with something larger, like a 2TB for $120. You could get a 4TB model, though by doing so adds a few steps to the Windows Installation Routine. This is due to the limitations of a MBR (Master Boot Record) partition of 2TB maximum. Anything higher 3TB or more will need to be converted / upgraded to a GPT Disk (the replacement for MBR) so that you will be able to use 4TB in its entirety for your main drive. So to keep things simple, and fairly inexpensive, I'd stick to a 1TB or 2TB hard drive. Replacing your hard drive is fairly straightforward. Unplug the computer, wait about a minute or two to make sure all the trickle charges have dissipated from the motherboard, and un-mount the existing HD. You will remove a power connector and data connector and then pull out the HD. Transfer over the mounting screws / mounting cage from the old hard drive to the new one and hook up the power / data cable. Then turn on your computer, let it detect the new HD (it should do this automatically,) then plug in the Window 10 Pro Thumb Drive. Follow the prompts to install a fresh copy of Windows 10 Pro. You will create an Administrator Account and more accounts / Admin Accounts after installation. (I can help with this part.) Then it's just a matter of letting Windows detect your components and getting a connection to the internet. That is the MAIN THING which is THE MOST IMPORTANT...THE NETWORK CARD DRIVER. You usually can download all sorts of manufacturer's drivers if they are available (like video card, sound card and motherboard chipset drivers, etc.) but that isn't going to happen if your Ethernet Port doesn't work. That said, these days that issue is pretty minor as Windows 10 Pro detects things 98% of the time on the first try. Even then it will attempt a Microsoft Generic Driver to get you going. Why Windows 10 Pro? Windows 7 is going to be taken behind the proverbial barn and shot dead on January 7, 2020. All support will be abandoned for Windows 7 on that date, so you better get used to Windows 10 now because its days are numbered. Actually, looking at the calendar...it's a year from this date as I type this. Oh, the benefit to replacing the Hard Drive is not only will you have a faster / higher quality drive and a clean slate to work from, you can always re-install your old HD if you needed to get something off of it. Plus, this new HD is an investment, when the time comes to get a new computer, simply pull this new HD and mount it into an external case. Boom! You will then have a 1TB or 2TB EHD that you can use in your new computer, OR mount it as a 2nd HD in your new desktop computer. Either way the installation process is very similar for both an internal enclosure or external. Thoughts?

Ah...here is the comment box from FB:

OK... Let's begin. Buzz!!! I'm sorry, that is incorrect. You are getting that error because your Windows is botched up. Either there was an underlying problem with your Windows and the PS CC update triggered something, OR the PS CC update is the main culprit. Either way, the end-result is the same. As I have stated over on FB, I've dealt with this permissions problem before, and it's a nasty one. I had to delete the main C Drive partition and re-create during the Windows custom installation to fix that server. I spent MONTHS trying to "fix" it and there was no fix. Nuke it and start all over...actually took me 4-6 hours to do. With my problem, I un-hid the App Data folder and each time I double clicked on the folder, it would triplicate. Clicked the folder again, triplicate again, then again, then again. I discovered this problem when the Backup Software ran the night prior and tried accessing this folder. Imagine a Folder that was only a couple of Kilobytes, ballooning into several Terabytes over 12 hours. I was fortunate to cancel the backup program, but had to manually delete thousands and thousands of corrupted App Data Folders. Coincidentally, you know what folder was in that corrupted folder? A folder labeled "Adobe." That is how I know what you are going through. I'll bet...and you are caught in the middle of a pissing contest between Adobe and Microsoft. You are correct, it won't fix anything if the App Data folder file has corrupted. Even if you install programs on an external drive, stuff gets put in the App Data Folder under the User Profile in Windows. The reason is that folder is more of what's called a "Symbolic Link," and it's not truly a folder. It is just a pointer file that is posing as a folder. (Well, that's my interpretation. I'm sure there is an official definition out there but we are splitting hairs on technicalities at this point.) That's why Adobe is trying to create a new profile to see if that works, and it will not. The core component that controls that folder is corrupted, I'm almost certain of it...and this is based on my own personal experience; I wish I could say something like, "Capacitor J2635 isn't running at the proper voltage oscillation, thereby contributing to the issue with the Flux Capacitor not being able to control the space-time continuum, which is causing your Windows to not function properly..." Or something. You are correct. Just like pushing the Elevator Button 15 times...it's not going to make the Elevator come any quicker, it just gives you something to do. Yes. That is not acceptable. Not only will this method not work, due to the corrupted Windows, if it did, you would be dealing with a bottleneck with working off a USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 port. Not good. Don't bother doing this. I empathize. You poor Woman. I can say that with this PS 2019 update...it has screwed up A LOT of people's computers. You are not alone. I think you mentioned somewhere that your computer is being replaced sometime later this year but as of right now it's not in the budget. Understandable with the Holidays just behind us. I do have an idea though. It's not as expensive as buying a new computer, but it will definitely solve your problem and get you up and running. That will be posted in the next comment box. I will ask, what type of computer do you have now? (Make / Model) How large is your current/main hard drive in terms of capacity?

Manual focusing on a digital camera is a pain in the ass. They are fun to play with. A few years ago, a company called KatzEye made focusing screen that worked like the split-prisms on SLR bodies, which made manual focusing MUCH easier. Unfortunately, that company is no longer in business. Personally I'd either wait for the 200mm f/4 or get the 105VR. Unless you are going to use a tripod 100% of the time. I'm in the same boat. I have toyed around with getting a 105VR, but I feel that a 150m - 200m Macro Lens might be a better fit. Honestly, you seem to want that 200mm and that is your answer. That said, I wouldn't hold my breath for Nikon to release anything like that in the near future. They have gone Mirrorless Happy with their new Nikon Z Mount lenses. What I do see being released is the Nikon D6, and the new 58mm f/0.95 Noct lens for the Nikon Z Mirrorless. Anything other than that is pure speculation.

OK. Throw me a bone here. What operating system? Details...Details.

Yeah, it's probably the only one you have. I just checked mine, and I'm in the same boat as you. It is possible that I told the Adobe Installer to delete old versions of PS, so that's what I'm thinking happened on my end. What you will need to do is fine the .dmg installer file for PS 2017 / 2018 or whatever. Just copying the folder over will not work. The program needs to be installed and a license key will need to be typed in. You might want to give Adobe a call and see if they can send you a link to the older version of PS that will work with your Creative Cloud Key.

PS CC 2018 is still on your Hard Drive. Adobe Software does not over-write old versions of their software. This is how you can end-up with three copies of Photoshop on your computer. LOL! Which is a good thing, since the PS CC 2019 is really messing up people's computers. Look in your Applications Folder, it should be in the list.

For which type of Media? Traditional Hard Drive or SSD? CF/SD Media?

The term you are looking for is "Un-nest." I don't think there is a way to do what you are wanting to do.

Ok, then that brings things down to a lower price-point. I will do some thinking and searching and get back to you, though my above recommendations still stand. Even though you aren’t playing games, a mid-range Gaming Setup will meet your requirements. The only difference is you don’t need any of the fancy show-off LED case / wire stuff. Horsepower from a Gaming System...yes. Bling...No.

Well, in Adobe’s defense, most of the Art / Video world is using Macs. Combine that with the limited hardware choices, Adobe only has to worry about 6 or so video card / hardware combinations across the Macintosh Line vs hundreds of video card / hardware combinations with Windows. Say what you will about Apple, limiting your products to a certain amount has some advantages. Apple bows to no one. Windows on the other hand has to make all sorts of manufacturers happy. Of course Adobe still screws up with Macs is too. LOL! They only get updates quicker, that doesn’t mean they don’t have problems. LOL.

You can get a very nice Windows Pre-Configured PC for US $3000. It’s just “editing video” is what throws a wrench into the mix. So let’s talk video. WHAT are you editing? 30 second YouTube Clips? Whole Weddings and Lifestyle sessions? Have you edited before?

Editing Video is a whole other world. If you are really serious about editing video, then you are looking at getting a iMac Pro. The reason is that software developers will often update and enhance their programs to work on a Mac, since the hardware choices are smaller. Give this video a watch to see what I mean. That guy spent $10,000+ on the fastest Windows computer that money could buy and still ended up with going with a iMac Pro. Now, if you are just starting out and playing around with things to learn, that's another story. You are really looking for a Gaming Computer. Not because you play games but you will need the performance boost that comes with a gaming computer. Here is my recommendations: Intel i7 or i9 CPU Asus / MSI / Gigabyte Motherboard that has at least 6 SATA Ports for Hard Drives on it and supports RAID0, RAID1 & RAID10. Also having lots of USB 3.0 ports would be nice to have. 1TB Main SSD or M.2 Drive 32GB RAM to start out with and upgrading to 64GB of RAM will be in your future. Windows 10 Pro Two additional Hard Drives configured as a RAID0 (This will be used for your video editing software's cache only, and NOT used for any file storage.) I recommend getting a couple of fast 7200 RPM Hard Drives, maybe a couple of Western Digital Caviar Black 4TB drives. A large HD, probably around 12TB to store your data files Video Card with it's own separate and dedicated video RAM. Probably around 8GB of video memory. Blue Ray DVD Drive. A high-end case with easy access to hard drives will be a must. Cooling will also be a concern and you could end up with a water-cooled system. 800 Watt Power Supply. Guess what? I've blown your budget. LOL!! I tried putting one of these systems together and stopped when I got to $3,000 US. So back to reality. Do you really want to build your own computer or would you settle for a high-end store-bought / Dell computer?

Unless you restore from a Time Machine Backup, which copies over all the crap from your old MBP, you are installing a fresh & current version of PS CC, complete with bugs. That said, I don't think it's going to be a major issue for you because it's a brand new Mac. There isn't previous versions to deal with, plugin transfers that could affect things, and other general crap, etc. The majority of the problems that I see when people complain, is from people that don't do normal maintenance on their computers. They have crap all over the place, their Mac Desktop is filled with hundreds...if not thousands, of images and files (which is a bad thing to do) and have only 4GB or 8GB of RAM with a filled HD. Then they update and it blows up in their faces. It's like complaining that your engine died because you didn't do an oil-change in 100,000+ miles. "But I don't know anything about cars..." translates to "I'm not tech savvy..." or "I don't know anything about computers..." No excuses. Learn. Educate yourself. I see it all the time; people will spend HOURS and HOURS, if not months chasing the "Perfect Skin-tone" or how this certain Photographer achieves this look but won't take a Saturday Afternoon to learn how to properly maintain/use their computer. I recently purchased a 27" iMac earlier this year, and for the most part, I only transferred the things I actually needed. Clean slates are a good thing, and if your old MBP is still working, makes this "clean slate" method easier. I have an external HD that all my images are stored on, so that left things like browsing favorites and logins/passwords, PS Actions & Brushes, my iTunes library and documents to transfer over. As far as the plug-ins, like Portraiture and the like, I downloaded fresh copies due to having a newer version of PS and a new Mac OS. I was not going to bother with installing old versions of anything. I recommend you do the same, newest versions of browsers and other programs. I also purchased CleanMyMac X from MacPaw.com and even installed MS Office 365. This way I would have the 2019 versions when available. Since you claim that you aren't tech savvy, I'd say the easiest way to transfer things is via a USB ThumbDrive, like a 32GB version or an External HD. There is a way to network your two Macs together and to create shared folders and such, which allows you to copy things directly but I don't give away that knowledge/methods for free.

Thank You for the Beer!! Damien forwarded it to me. Happy New Year!

One more thing... In my haste I forgot to mention one critical thing: When switching RAID methods / levels, the existing RAID configuration on the drives will be deleted in order to setup a different RAID configuration. So you will need to migrate the data to a temporary source, configure a RAID 5 in the 4-Bay NAS, then set things up again / migrate the data back. So I can see where purchasing a second NAS unit is tempting. Even so, you still have one problem...budget. I was trying to stay as close as possible to your $500 budget. If you do go with another NAS, you are either buying two larger HDs than 4TB and still have the limitations of a two-bay NAS. I'm thinking you really need to delete stuff and save up a bit more to get a 4-bay NAS setup.