Old chestnut - application components are missing

Question

I've searched but no real answers - so try again!
Tried to install PS CS4 Extended - student version.
The PC is old but serviceable with XP SP3 and plenty of HD space.
Came up with an error part way thro' the install - something to do with old version of AIR, so I downloaded and installed the latest version then carried on.
Install finished and told me everything was wonderful. NOT. Got the 'components missing' message when I tried to run PS. Ran the support software and generated a 'package' and I believe a report was uploaded to Adobe. What do I do now because I've spent all morning trying to phone Customer Services to no avail? I cannot find anything at Adobe.com to do with this 'package' number or report the problem.

Answer 1

With 17 gigs of hard drive space remaining the system will run slow while using CS4. Hard drives loose their punch when they are over 75 percent full and start to slow down. If you have a hard drive that runs at 5,400 RPM you will notice this. Windows XP needs space to defrag and a set space for virtual memory. Now add Photoshop in the equation that requires hard drive space for the Scratch Disk. The Scratch Disk wants all the remaining hard drive space and there is no way to give it a set amount. So now you will have a 5,400 RPM hard drive read/write head fighting for the same virtual memory and scratch disk space when CS4 is running. Things will be real slow. You can set Virtual Memory to a set amount but I don't think it will net any noticable results.
So now on the operating side of the house:
You have only 1 gig of RAM. The Video memory takes up the first part of the address space. What ever remaining is eaten up by XP. Then what ever else is running needs RAM too. I am sure the laptop is pegged out and is using virtual memory as RAM when you were trying to upload CS4 thus causing problems.
Lets say that if you do get CS4 up and running there will be hardly any RAM for CS4 to use to begin with. You can set the CS4 memory slider to 60 percent but that will be nothing. Set it any higher and you OS will be unstable.
Will the Video Card be the correct type to run CS4 as it should be run? I doupt that too.
If the laptop allows more RAM to be installed I would do that. Also consider a bigger hard drive. But the main concern before any money is spent is if the Video Card is up to specs. After all the card is integrated on the motherboard and cannot be changed. You can disable opengl in CS4 but that defeats the purpose of PS CS4 Extended.
So it is not a Mac vs PC thing. It is a older system being able to correctly run PS CS4 Extended with all the manditory services and software running in the background with your computer specs that you posted..