The preferences file is corrupt: adobe illustrator cs4

greetings!
every time i start illustrator i encounter a new error.
"the preferences file is corrupt and has been reset to the default settings."
"the corrupt file will be backed up as Adobe illustrator Prefs.err"
this problem manifested after i added some more .ai and .ase files to my swatches directory. i do not believe anything else changed.
not sure how to diagnose the problem. is there a debug mode or something? perhaps an offending file.
an option would be to try remove each added swatch file or folder individually, but this would e a very very time consuming process for me.
i use cs4 on a Macbook pro running Snow Leopard - 10.6.2 and would appreciate your advice.
thank you
-s
Message was edited by: Shenzi

The problem is that you're not getting rid of the corrupt Illustrator preferences. To do that, go to User/Library/Preferences and drag the entire Adobe Illustrator CS4 Settings folder to the trash (or to another drive if you want to keep it for some reason). Illustrator will then create a new Preferences folder the next time it's started. It's unlikely the problem was caused by swatches files, but if the error comes back after deleting prefs, then you'll need to determine which swatch file is causing it.

Similar Messages

'the preferences file is corrupt and has been reset to the default settings' - cs4 Mac

greetings!
every time i start illustrator i encounter a new error.
"the preferences file is corrupt and has been reset to the default settings."
"the corrupt file will be backed up as Adobe illustrator Prefs.err"
this problem manifested after i added some more .ai and .ase files to my swatches directory. i do not believe anything else changed.
not sure how to diagnose the problem. is there a debug mode or something? perhaps an offending file.
an option would be to try remove each added swatch file or folder individually, but this would be a very very time consuming process for me.
i use cs4 on a Macbook pro running Snow Leopard - 10.6.2 and would appreciate your advice.
thank you
-s

s,
Every time you close down Illy, the current preferences (which may have been changed while you worked on files) are saved, and every time you start up Illy, those preferences will be used.
Usually, preference corruption probably occurs randomly, caused by the OS, but if something in your files change the preferences to something that is not viable you will get an error like that.
You may press Cmd+Option+Shift during startup, which will replace the current preferences with the defaults, and probably you will get rid of the error message. It is probably not a cure, though.
If the error is persistent, the cure would be to get rid of the offending things in the files you work with.

Macbook Air 11" i7 corrupt files problem with Adobe Illustrator CS4

Hi
this problem may not be entirely related but maybe someone could help anyways or knows how I can proceed...
I'm running Illustrator CS4 on a Macbook Air 11" (latest 2011 model, with i7, 4GB, 128SSD), and lately some files are getting corrupted. specifically, adobe illusrator CS4 files with weeks of work. interestingly, the time machine backups are also getting corrupted.
its like I'm working on a file for a few days, backing up with time machine as well
closes the file, after a few days returns to it… (normal behavior)
then when i try to get back to the file then sometimes it says "Cant open the illustration, could not complete the operation" and opens a blank canvas.
restoring the file via time machine also gives the same error (its like all versions get corrupted simultaneously), even 4-5 versions backwards, even though they worked before when the file worked
it happened quite a few times, ruining weeks of work.
I tried the following:
reinstalling CS4 - didn't work
Opening the files on CS5 - still don't open
doing the file recovery thing and then opening it in a notepad - didn't work at all
using Time machine - the files are still corrupt
it only happenes with AI files, not photoshop files, for example.
I thought maybe it has anything to do with SSD? since my previous macbook pro (15", 2007) never did these errors…
please help
Eido

If at all, this would be I/O performance and bandwidth issues with Time Machine, but I don't think that's the problem. More to the point I think that it's a case of Preview opening the files to genereate thumbnails and icons and something going wrong there. I'd look up some guides on how to edit the relevant plist and conf files to exclude your AIs or turn off the behavior to generate these previews globally. This may help hugely...
Mylenium

CS3 - The preferences file is corrupt and will be reset to default settings

Honestly, I've been using this program for years now and I'm still amazed at how jack-screwed it continues to be.
Why is my "preferences file" corrupt all of a sudden, and why pray tell, do I get this message every time I relaunch the program? How can this be corrected?
And while I'm frustrated and ranting....why does Illustrator constantly give me a "this program is not responding" error almost everytime I close it down for the last 10 years (literally) no matter what version I've used and no matter whether my PC is new with a new install of AI or on any other configured PC?
And why does Illustrator take 5 minutes to close when CorelDraw closes in 5 seconds without an error?
Ok... I'm beginning to ramble, AI does that to me. How about we tackle the error message on the thread title? Your help is much appreciated.
Thanks.

If resetting the preferences does not work then trashing the Settings folder and the plist file should.
You first quit Illustrator then;
Users/Username/Library/Preferences/Adobe Illustrator CS3 Settings (you trash this folder) and then navigate a little further down in the list of preferences to com.adobe.illustrator.plist and trash that as well.
As far as why this has been happening for the last ten years would suggest one of three things to me, one; you have some corrupt files that are still in use or have been revised over the ten years and you still use them from time to time. They work fine but course you problems and now the systems have been updated to the point that the problems they cause are dramatic, two; you are using fonts that are old and while are not really corrupt in that they are serving their purpose they are causing the font cache or preferences to be corrupt and finally three you may have plug ins that have had problems that may never have been fully resolved and again they work fine except that they cause this problem(s).
That is what it suggest to me. And of course the fact that Illustrator is extremely sensitive to system problems with bussing and font corruption more so then most programs.

How do I find the "Preferences" file within Elements 10 to fix the runtime error? I can't find it any where

I am trying to fix the runtime error that occurs when I open the Photoshop Elements 10 editor and shuts down the program. I am using the instructions found on the abode website here:
http://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/troubleshoot-c-runtime-errors-products.html
There are no good instructions telling me what the Preferences file is named or how to find it. If someone could help that would be great.

If you are using Windows 7 then the preference file that needs to be renamed is at this location:
<C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\10.0\Editor>
In the above path, replace USERNAME with your windows profile name which could be something like jblogetc or whatever. Also the preference file is called: Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 Prefs.psp and this needs to be renamed to Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 Prefs.old
Once this done, restart PSE 10 and then see if it works.

Adobe Illustrator CS4 Error: Error 1603. Error 1305.Error reading from file C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator CS4\Support Files\Required\Fonts\AdobeSongStd-Light.otf. Verify that the file exists and that you can access it. AdobeColorCommonSetRGB

Iam trying to load illustator in my PC i get following error while loading Application CD 2
Adobe Illustrator CS4
Error:
Error 1603. Error 1305.Error reading from file C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator CS4\Support Files\Required\Fonts\AdobeSongStd-Light.otf. Verify that the file exists and that you can access it.
AdobeColorCommonSetRGB
Error:
Error 2.
My serial no. [Removed by moderator]

Download a copy an installer for CS4 from the links on this page:
Other downloads

Where are the preference files held in windows 7 for prempro cs4

can anyone tell me where the preference files are located at in windows 7 for prempro cs4? i don't know about anybody else but i'd really like to have manuals. to me this is a real pain going online to find answers! thanks

Download the pdf version of the manual.
Much easier to find stuff than the online version.
Top right corner:
http://help.adobe.com/en_US/PremierePro/4.0/index.html?trackingid=DYNQG
The Preferences are located under Edit.
Message was edited by: Ann Bens

Can't import Adobe Illustrator CS4 .ai files

I recently upgraded to Adobe Illustrator CS4. When I attempt to paste an .ai file into iWeb I see only a black rectangle. This was not the case with CS3 AI. It seems that I must now first convert the AI CS4 file into a .pdf or .eps before importing to iWeb. Also, QuickLook does not display either CS3 or CS4 versions of AI.
Have others encountered these behaviors?

Are you referring to a Photoshop file with an alpha layer? iWeb and iPhoto do not support those. Nor does several other Apple applications like Preview, Quicklook, etc. Send a feature request to Apple via:
http://www.apple.com/feedback/iweb.html
http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphoto.html
OT

Importing Microstation SE DGN files into Adobe Illustrator CS4

Hello,
New to the forum and was hoping someone could help answer what is likely a very basic question: Can Adobe Illustrator CS4 import DGN files (containing point, line, text, shape, fills, cells and other complex elements) created in Microstation SE? If so, is it an easy process, and what if any data is lost during the conversion? Is the original projection and master units/sub units maintained? I am not familiar with any version of Illustrator, so please be kind (lol). Tks for any help!
Stephen M

If you intend to zoom in or pan on your graphic, you might make it say, twice the size of your FCP sequence's pixel dimensions.
If it is static, paste it into the appropriate video template at the size you require.
Illustrator and Photoshop are far better at scaling when compared to Final Cut Pro.
The pixelization is probably because that section of the Timeline needs to be rendered.
This indicated by a colored bar at the top of the Timeline. A green bar indicates that you can view that area but it will not be at full quality until rendered.
Make sure all render options are checked on:
Consider also: your image is rendered to the pixel dimensions of the FCP sequence and the Canvas always shows a lower res proxy image to better enable real time playback. To view the output of Final Cut Pro as it really is, you need an external calibrated monitor or at the very least, an excellent TV.

My adobe photoshop CS6 won't open it says: 'the preferences file is invalid'. HELP!

My adobe photoshop CS6 won't open it says: 'the preferences file is invalid'. HELP!

Please read this and proceed accordingly:
http://blogs.adobe.com/crawlspace/2012/07/photoshop-basic-troubleshooting-steps-to-fix-mos t-issues.html

CS5 - Preference file is corrupt and has been reset.....

EVERY single time I re-open Illustrator, I get this message that my "Preference file is corrupt and has been reset to default, and the old one was backed up...."
C'mon!!! What gives???
Why does this program version have so many issues???
Anyone know why this may be occuring??
Thanks good people!

I'm having a similar issue. My preferences file get corrupted over and over again. Super annoying. For example, according to my preferences, labels are supposed to be shown when doing drawings or rotating. Then it decides to just stop with the labels. It's happened numberous times and the only fix is to reset my preferences by deleting the preferences file.
Also, along the same lines, I have a certain color book swatch panel that I have the 'persistant' option checked. Yet I have to find it and re-open in everytime I open Illustrator.
The issue comes from Adobe working to hard to get worthless CS 5.5 out and ignoring fixes for their programs. It's BS.

Cannot reinstall Adobe Illustrator CS4

Hello!
2007, I have bought Adobe Illustrator CS4 from your website.
I used it few months and then I put it aside. First, the cd kept asking for a serial number and the one I still had since 2007, did not work. One must buy a new serial number, i have heard. How is that even possible or fair in any way? SO THE 170 Euros were payed for a time-limited product? Is this milk!?
Anyhow, now the cd doesn't even "run". It keeps showing that "the Installer database is corrupt", after have clicked "run" and then "install".
Thanks in advance.
Sincerely R.A.A

Whatever you heard regarding having to buy a new serial number is false information - your license remains valid as long as you paid for it yourself. If your disc is not loading properly you can download the installation thru the page linked below.
CS4 - http://helpx.adobe.com/creative-suite/kb/cs4-product-downloads.html

Import Template from Adobe Illustrator CS4

Hi everyone,
I would like to import a template (a letterhead that i made) from Adobe Illustrator CS4 into Pages, which I use for writing documents. So far I had no success in doing so. The formats supported by Illustrator are png, bmp, dwg, dxf, emf, swf, jpg, pct, psd, tif, tga, txt and wmf. Furthermore there are Illustrator formats ai, ait and eps and fxg, pdf, svg and svgz.
I hope theres someone who can help me...
niels

The advantage of a vector format (such as PDF) over a bitmapped format (such as PNG) is portability. Right now, for example, you might be using your letterhead to print to an inkjet printer. Some time in the future you may choose to have a professionally printed stationary printed using the same graphic and at that point the PNG file may not produce high quality output whereas the PDF would. Also, in many cases the PDF file not only creates higher quality output but also results in smaller file sizes.

Files are not opening Illustrator CS4

Any EPS file one of our users Double clicks on in Explorer is trying to open in IndesignCS4 not IllustratorCS4, even if they use Open with : It's still not seeing IllustratorCS4.
They have recently removed IllustratorCS3 from their Vista machine, as it was only opening files in CS3 not the CS4 version.
Has anyone experienced this before?
Should I just re-install CS4 ( seems a bit of a hammer killing nut scenario )?
Thanks

I think your problem is that AI CS4 doesnt open the wanted filetype, and that it isnt listed in the
Open With applications list, am i correct?
If so, you can try this to add Illustrator CS4 to the Open With list:
-Rightclick the file you are trying to open
-Expand the Open With... option
-Click: Choose Default Program...
Then a window pops up, showing you several applications which windows thinks are suited for opening the file [EPS]
-Illustrator Should be in the Recommended Programs list, shown in the top of the window.
If it isnt, press the button to expand the Other Programs list, and see if you can find Illustrator.
If it still isnt there, you can add it manually:
-Press Browse... and browse to: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator CS4\Support Files\Contents\Windows, select the Illustrator.exe file, and click Open.
Now Illustrator should be listed in the Other Programs list, and you can select it to open the file.
Make sure you check the "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file", so in the future Illustrator will always open the EPS files for you.
This should fix your problem.
If not, please let me know.

When I launch Adobe Illustrator CS4, it just does nothing.

I have a Windows XP computer, and I have a problem regarding Adobe Illustrator. When I launch Adobe Illustrator, the splash or the program doesn't pop up. I've deleted the adobe_epic folder, adobe_epic.dll, and adobe_eula.dll, I've launched it again, and it still does not work. Any solutions?

jhnri,
If renaming the preference file does not help, you may try to Move the folder or you may look at the possible cures and causes in Other options, in all cases with Illy closed.
If everything else fails, you may uninstall, run the Cleaner Tool, and reinstall.
http://www.adobe.com/support/contact/cscleanertool.html

The preferences file is corrupt: adobe illustrator cs4

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for