Layer Styles don't work with one file

Question

I'm using CS2 for Win. I've got an important file that will not accept layer styles. The layers appear to be "styled" on the layer stack, but nothing previews or shows up on the actual layer. I've created new layers; they don't take styles either. Other files in the system - including new ones - work okay; it's just this one that has the problem.
It could be contaminated; I accidentally saved it as a PDF with layers, and then back to a TIF. It's an 8-bit file; I've tried saving it as a PSD. Same problem.
Is there a way to rescue this thing? I have to get it to a client tomorrow. Many thanks to anyone who can help!

Answer 1

I've been having this happen in Photoshop Elements 2.0.  Looks like a bug.  But it might be me not knowing what I'm doing.
However, one fix that just worked for me was to use Image -> Duplicate Image.  Drop shadow worked in the duplicated image even though it would not work in the orginal.  Nothing I've tried doing to the orginal (save and open again, turn layers on and off, chagne order, duplicate layers and delete the "broken" ones, etc) seemed to allow the layer effectrs to work for me once it stopped working.
This "bug" happened to me after messing around with the background layer - deleting and recreating it as a solid color.  Looks like the software is getting confused about where to image the drop shadow.  Maybe it is getting confused about the order of the layers or something?  If you turn the preview OFF you can see small changes as you adjust the paramaters in the effect.
Curt Welch
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