Viewer problems

[PeterGL]

Does anybody have this problem or a solution? Win 7, 6Gb Memory and no other programs running. My image size ranges from 6-15mb.
When I go from the thumbnail view to using the embedded viewer (or second screen viewer), the first several (say 10-40) images appear fine. Then I get a problem: (a)the next few images will be slow to appear, (b) then, for next few images, the image flashes up for a second and then the viewer goes blank. Finally, (c) for subsequent images, the file name show at head of a blank viewer screen for a few seconds but no image is shown.
If I carry on trying to view images, I may be lucky and get an image again, but then (a) to (c) occur again.
In all these cases, the metadata fields on the right of the screen shows correctly for each blank image view.
If I go back to the thumbnail view (which works fine), and then return to the viewer, it does not remove the problem. If i restart the program, I get the same sequence of events (a-c)
When this happens, I have to use (i) the thumbnails and (ii) Irfanview as an independent viewer. Then, all images show perfectly in Irfanview.
Thanks

[Preston B]

Run a backup of your PSu Catalog and Thumbnail databases. (Tools>Backup Photo Supreme Data)

Next, Compact both databases. (Tools>Catalog> Compact Current Catalog)

Let us know if this helps.

--P

[PeterGL]

Preston,
Sorry for the slow reply ... I tried your suggestions with no effect, but then chanced upon a solution:
I noticed the Options in the view had a 'Load full-sized image' option that was marked as selected. After de-selecting the option, the blank screen problem went away.
The image quality is still fine for my purposes (I cannot visually tell the difference between the selected and de-selected options' images, anyway)
I can only guess that some buffer or temp storage was filling up when using the full-size image option.
Thanks for your help ... and some very nice images on your site!!
Peter

[Mike Buckley]

I'm weak when it comes to understanding technological issues but I wonder if perhaps an out of date driver pertaining to your graphics card could cause that problem.

[Preston B]

This could be a video driver issue, and it wouldn't hurt to update your video driver anyway, Peter. (It's always a good idea to keep drivers up to date)

Since the issue persists after compacting your PSu databases, and you disabled 'Load full-size image', I am thinking this could be a RAM issue. I see you have only 6 GB of RAM, so I have a question, and some observations

First, is your OS 32 or 64 bit? If it's 32 bit, Windows will only recognize and use 4 GB. If your OS is 64 bit, it should see all of your installed RAM. All of your displayed thumbnails, the images you display in the Viewer are loaded into RAM, along with your OS and other open programs, so it's possible all your RAM is being used and Windows is hitting it's paging file, which slows things down.

Try closing all programs except for PSu, and see if the situation improves.
Next, do you have a lot of programs running at Startup? If so, disable the one's you don't need.
You might consider adding more RAM to your system. These days, with Windows and other programs, 8 GB is better, and 16 GB will really help.

There is a handy little program called CCleaner, from Piriform. There is a free version. Not only does it help you remove temporary files, browser caches, etc., it has a tool where you can easily disable startup programs you don't need. I recommend it to everyone.

I hope some of this helps, and thanks for your kind compliment on my work,

--P

[Mke]

There is a handy little program called CCleaner, from Piriform.

...which, in my experience is extremely reliable, but (like other similar software) not 100% foolproof. In other words - maybe to state the obvious - it's best used after taking a full backup.

[Preston B]

There is a handy little program called CCleaner, from Piriform.

...which, in my experience is extremely reliable, but (like other similar software) not 100% foolproof. In other words - maybe to state the obvious - it's best used after taking a full backup.

Sage advice, sir!

--P

[snowman1]

I certainly wouldn't argue with that good advice either, but just to add that I have used it for many years with no issues, it is a very mature product and in addition seems to take a conservative rather than an aggresive (risky) approach to cleaning. What it cleans (and how) is highly customisable. A big +1 from me.

One tip that isn't immediately obvious is that you can right-click on individual items in the left-hand bar to analyse and/or clean them individually for fine control of your cleaning.

There is a way of making its reports more verbose as well - so you can check exactly what it's done - but I can never remember how!

[PhilBurton]

And let me extend the point a bit about cleaning out your system. (Hert, should I start a new thread if this message gets lots of replies.)

I'm not trying to be a "IT advisor" here, but I'm sure that there are a number of people on this forum who have Windows 7 or 8 systems that qualify for a free update to Windows 10. Normally the update is done "in place," which means all the bloat and "registry rot" will be preserved. The suggestion is that you wipe clean that Windows 10 install and redo the install clean. Of course, that means you have to re-install all your programs and redo all your settings. For a program like Photoshop or Lightroom, which is limited to two installs, you should uninstall before wiping the Win 7 or 8 system.

Also, if you don't have an SSD yet for your system, now would be a good time to get one. First do the clean install, then use the migration tool that comes with the SSD.

Phil

[PeterGL]

Hi Preston,
Slow reply again from me - sorry, life keeps interfering with my hobbies! Some feedback on your thoughts:
This could be a video driver issue: The drivers are up-to-date fortunately
First, is your OS 32 or 64 bit?: It is 64 bit so uses all 6 GB. I have monitored both CPU and Physical memory when I had this problem and have never hit even 50% CPU or more than 5 Gb physical memory.
Try closing all programs except for PSu, and see if the situation improves. I tried this and no effect.
Next, do you have a lot of programs running at Startup? I do a clean up regularly. There are more than I would like (so many programs want to check for updates etc), but there is no overload on cpu or memory.
You might consider adding more RAM to your system.This is one to think about, but I rarely seem to exceed the 6mb, whatever I do. Thanks
There is a handy little program called CCleaner, from Piriform. Yes, I use CC Cleaner regularly. I use a couple of others as well as none of them seem to do a 100% job. I agree that CC cleaner is one of the best.

As I noted before, the solution I chanced on is effective, so I'm happy to leave the problem as 'just one of those things'. When I refresh my laptop (due this year), I'm sure it will have followed Moore's law in terms of speed, capacity etc and I will check then to see if the issue has vanished.
Again, thanks Preston for your help on this one.
P