Could not initialize photoshop, because the file name was not valid

Hello,
my friend (not very good with computers) asked me to fix his Photoshop 8, because "it just stopped working one day". When I try to run it, I see splash screen, initializing photoshop, something about TWAIN, and then:
Could not initialize Photoshop, because the file name was not valid
followed by crashing the Photoshop. I tried reinstalling Photoshop, resetting user preferences, even deleting all user settings from Documents and Settings folder, but nothing - I keep getting this error. I tried plugging in his camera, usb flash disks, because I thought Photoshop may created scratch file or something in there - but it didnt work.
So I decided to install him my copy of Photoshop CS3, just to make sure its some bug in Photoshop 8, but I didnt believe my eyes - after installing, im getting the exact error again.
And now Im completely lost - I was unable to google the error message, looks like Im the first person ever who happened to see it.
His computer is about two years old, 2 GHz cpu, 512 MB RAM, some decent video card, 100 GB space left on disks, operating system is Win XP SP2.
I would really appreciate any help, thank you in advance
Peter

>Yes, many times.
:) never hurts to ask!
also have you tried creating a new user with admin rights to see if it's an id issue? (sorry, there's several similar theads going on and i sometimes forget what i've read where.) there was just a guy yesterday that solved a similar problem by creating a new id. we could never tell what the problem was with the old one...

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Could not initialize Photoshop because the file is locked

I have the problem where you get the Could not initialize Photoshop because the file is locked, where the solution was to fix the properties in the jpg. I did that and tried the Ctrl-Alt-Shft thing too. I pressed them in time and got the message to delete the settings. When I click yes, I still get the "file locked" message. If it is the scratch disk setting problem, I can't get PS open to change it. This problem started when I was opening a locked jpg from a relative. (Now none of my previous pics will open either). Any other ideas other than these that are already listed in the forums? Thanks for any help.
Technical: Windows XP 5.1, HP7680, Photoshop CS2, 2g ram, more than enough work drives. (no Vista)
Sequence of events: 1) recd a jpg from a relative in an email and saved it to hard drive. 2) with Photoshop unopened, I rt clkd on the jpg and chose "open with CS2". 3) PS started loading and then stopped with the "file locked" msg. Clkd on OK and PS closed. 4) tried to open PS from the shortcut (and from explorer) and got same result. 5) researched the problem and then used the Ctrl-Alt-Shft approach, got the window that asks to "delete settings" and chose ok, PS closed again. 6) went to the jpg and displayed properties and saw "This file came from another computer and might be locked....", so I clicked "unblock". 7) retried step 2, then 4 with same results. 7) tried to open an old jpg with step 2 and same result (got file locked msg). 8) no longer can bring up the "delete settings" window with the the Ctrl-Alt-Shft approach as it looks like it deleted the settings the 1st time.
Any ideas???? Thanks again.

Bob,
I do not know why a locked JPG would mess up PS. I could see if you always tried to launch PS, by dbl-clicking on the JPG in Windows Explorer, but not from your Desktop shortcut, or from the PS.exe file.
For the locked file, there is a freeware utility, Unlocker. I do not have a URL handy, but Google should find it for you. It has worked on some network assets, that seemed to lock up on me.
Good luck, though this might not address your PS launch issue.
Hunt

Could not initialize Photoshop because the file is empty.

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CS2/W8 - Could not initialize photoshop because the file is locked

I just upgraded to Windows 8 64 bit last night. I had been running Cs2 just fine on Windows 7 64 bit for a few years now. In fact I used it last week. Now after the upgrade is complete, I get this error message when I try to launch CS2:
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Boilerplate-text:
Are Photoshop and OS fully updated and have you performed the usual trouble-shooting routines (trashing prefs by pressing command-alt-shift/ctrl-alt-shift while starting Photoshop until the appropriate dialog appears after making sure all customized presets like Actions, Patterns, Brushes etc. have been saved and making a note of the Preferences you’ve changed, 3rd party plug-ins deactivation, system maintenance, cleaning caches, font validation, etc.)

In Elements 13, when trying to save, I get this message:Could not save a copy as "agb3_2014:09_054.tif" because the file name was not valid.

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Message was edited by: Albert Butzer

Don't use the slash, either. Stick to no punctuation except dashes and underscores for safety's sake. Other punctuation usually has another meaning in code.

Error: Could not save "file name" because the file name was not valid. (PS CS6 + WIN 7)

I have recently purchased a new desktop under WIN 7 as well as Adobe Creative Suite CS6.
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I am getting this error when trying to save a file over an existing file using the “Save” command.
The message is wrong, because the file name IS valid.
This error is persistent.
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If I don't use the “Save as” command to save my work under a different name, my work is lost.
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ok ...
I think I have resolved this.
I forgot to mention that I have Sugarsync over that file structure.
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Error: "could not initialize photoshop because the file is locked..."

"... user the'properties' command in the Windows Explorer to unlock the file"
Hi,
I've allready read a lot about this, but I can't finde the answer :S
Why can't I find it?
I use Windows 7, all the fixes are for XP or MAC. Ctrl+Alt+Shift won't help. I get the properties menu, not the prompt that asks me to delete/reset some files.
Does anyone know how I can solve this?
== Since when do I get this message? ==
Since 1hour, I pulled out 1gb RAM out of my pc, and inserted 2gb. Now I have 3gb RAM. And now I have the error. I restarted my pc for 4 times and I ran the program as admin.
It works as long as I'm admin, but I don't want to be admin when I'm working with it because that could cause a lot of problems.
I tried if other programs had the same problems but Adobe Fireworks works fine, InDesign and Illustrator works fine too.
Please help!?
Thanks in advance,
Jelmer
====
Creative Suite 3

I allready restarted my pc for 6 times
But with Ctrl+Alt+Shift you reset, you get a prompt popup, wich asks you to reset your prefs. I clicked yes, like you said. The problem is still there
this text is in the message: 'Delte the Adobe Photoshop settings file?' | 'Yes' | 'No'
It's so weird, I added 1gb extra RAM and now it won't work? wtf..? :S
Could it have to do something with my settings?
(Loook @ the Scratch Disks, I have read a lot about that, could it have to do something with that? Adobe Photoshop is installed on in F:\Programs\Adobe CS3\Adobe Photoshop

"could not initialize photoshop because the file could not be found"

I get this error whenever I try and run Photoshop CS3. Any ideas?

It opens, gives that blue box that says it's loading, and then that error message appears and it closes. I have reinstalled it plenty of times and have tried updating to 10.0.1 but the same error. =/ I've searched all over.
Manufacturer:
Dell Inc.
Processor:
Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory:
1022MB RAM
Hard Drive:
156 GB
Video Card:
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS
Operating System:
Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254)

CS6 Photoshop reads this when attempting to "Could not initialize Photoshop because the preferences file was invalid (it has been deleted). HELP!

Finally got a call this morning from an Adobe Rep and he explained to me the issue. He explained that I needed to uninstall the adobe product, in this case Photoshop CS6 and download it again and reinstall it! So, I did that and get the same message when attempting to open the newly downloaded software: "Could not initialize Photoshop because the preferences file was invalid (it has been deleted). Please, if someone could help me as soon as possible! I am very anxious to remedy this situation. Thank you!

This seems to have cropped up a lot recently. What has seemed to work so far is intentionally resetting your preferences:
Reset Preferences
1) Close the program and press Ctrl+Alt+Shift (Win)/Cmd+Option+Shift (Mac) during startup (not reversible)
or
2) Move the Folder. See:
http://www.bugge.com/Family-and-friends/Illy/illy.html
--OB

I can't start CS6 I get this error message "Could not initialize Photoshop because the preferences file was invalid (it has been deleted)." What do I do now??

When I try to start CS6 I get this error message "Could not initialize Photoshop because the preferences file was invalid (it has been deleted)." What do I do now??

Please refer:
FAQ: How do I reset my preferences?
Regards,
Ashutosh

After a forced computer shutdown, OS X 10.9.5, I have received this message, PS could not initialize Photoshop because the preference file was invalid (it has been deleted).

After a forced computer shutdown, OS X 10.9.5, I have received this message, PS could not initialize Photoshop because the preference file was invalid (it has been deleted).

One idea is to hold down the cmd-opt-shift keys and start Photoshop. It will ask you if you want to delete the settings file. Answer "Yes" and it will create a new Preferences files. Photoshop should continue to load.
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Am unable start Photoshop (CS5.1 Extended version), it gives me this message: Could not initialize Photoshop, because the preferences file was invalid (it has been deleted). Please help, thanks.

Dear Friends or anybody, please help.
Am unable start Photoshop (CS5.1 Extended version), it gives me this message:
Could not initialize Photoshop, because the preferences file was invalid (it has been deleted).
I have also watched the video on “restoring peferences” trouble shooting above, but got nowhere.
Please help me, am leaving Canada on a business trip to China in 36 hours and I need to work using Photoshop. Thank you.
Benny

Check these solutions here Re: Preferences File was invalid.
Gene

How do I fix this error? "could not initialize photoshop because the preferences file was invalid"

How the hell do I fix this error? "could not initialize photoshop because the preferences file was invalid"

Try Resetting your Preferences: Hold down Ctrl Alt Shift keys while starting Photoshop. You will see the Reset dialog.

Could not initialize photoshop, because the file name was not valid

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