Elements v7.0 error message---need help but Adobe won't help me!!!

Question

After using Adobe Photoshop Elements for quite a few years, my version 7.0 now gives the message:  "Adobe Photoshop Elements has stopped working.  A problem caused the program to stop working correctly.  Windows will close the program and notify you if a solution is available".
I called Adobe for help and was told that my only source of help is this forum.  Adobe is not providing support for the product they sold me, which will definitely be considered before I purchase any additional upgrades!!!!
If anyone can help, please let me know.  Thanks!

Answer 1

Windows updates will sometimes cause individual programs to stop working
The first thing to do is go to the vendor site for your graphics card (usually ATI or nVidia) and make sure you have an up to date device driver
Also... some questions...
More information needed for someone to help http://forums.adobe.com/thread/416679
Some specific information that is needed...
Brand/Model Computer (or Brand/Model Motherboard if self-built)
How much system memory you have installed, such as 2Gig or ???
Operating System version, such as Win7 64bit Pro... or whatevevr
-including your security settings, such as are YOU the Administrator
-and have you tried to RIGHT click the program Icon and then select
-the Run as Administrator option (for Windows, not sure about Mac)
Your Firewall settings and brand of anti-virus are you running
Brand/Model graphics card, sush as ATI "xxxx" or nVidia "xxxx"
-or the brand/model graphics chip if on the motherboard
-and the exact driver version for the above graphics card/chip
-and how much video memory you have on your graphics card
Brand/Model sound card, or sound "chip" name on Motherboard
-and the exact driver version for the above sound card/chip
Size(s) and configuration of your hard drive(s)... example below
-and how much FREE space is available on each drive (in Windows
-you RIGHT click the drive letter while using Windows Explorer
-and then select the Properties option to see used/free space)
Windows Indexing is BAD http://forums.adobe.com/thread/676303
While in Properties, be sure you have drive indexing set OFF
-for the drive, and for all directories, to improve performance
Some/Much of the above are available by going to the Windows
Control Panel and then the Hardware option (Win7 option name)
OR Control Panel--System--Hardware Tab--Device Manager for WinXP
And the EXACT type and size of file that is causing you problems
-for pictures, that includes the camera used and the pixel dimensions