Trouble Importing Files PSE 7 to Windows 7 (32 bit)

Question

I am attempting to install PSE 7 into a computer running Windows 7, 32 bit.
The installation was a success to the extent that I was able to connect a catalog containing a huge amount of photos, (180,000 +) to the organizer, and after several hours of "generating thumbnails" the installation seemed to have stabilized.
However, when I try to import new photos, the "get photos from files and folders" operation takes ridiculous amounts of time, and is sort of "hit or miss" in that it sometimes it hangs altogether and I have to use "task manager" to shut down PSE.
Other than this, the program seems to be working normally (!) or maybe (?)
I have tried various compatibility modes, (XP SP2, Vista, Vista SP 1 & 2) with very little difference in results. Well, maybe Vista SP 2 was a tiny bit better.
The computer this is installed in is a Pentium C2D 2.8Ghz (E6300) w/ 2 GB of DDR2 800Mhz RAM. So, it's got plenty of "juice" to deal with PSE's requirements.
My photo files are stored in folders & sub-folders on a separate internal HDD (750GB WD).
Both PSE 5 and 7 work on 3 other computers containing the identical catalogs and photos, in basically the same configuration, including separate storage drives for each. These machines are running Windows XP SPs 2 or 3 (I use multiple computers as a back up strategy, copying the entire existing HDD to another, then install the drive into another machine, import the catalog file into PSE, and change the HDD letter to match that of the existing catalog). Done this way, the PSE installation is identical to that in the previous machine, and is up and running rapidly.
launching such  a large catalog takes a bit of time to initialize, or search (understandably), but on these other machines there is no trouble importing, locating, or managing files.
I should add that on the Windows 7 machine, Windows Explorer works quite well in accessing all of the photo files, so this sort of rules out a problematic Hard drive.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Mr. Ellis, PSE 7 is simply not permitting me to drag folders from Windows Explorer into the organizer. It just blows up the dreaded "black circle with diagonal slash", and that's the end of the issue, at least as far as PSE 7 is concerned.
Since I've had to terminate this program abnormally several times, it resets the preferences upon restart. The other day it hung when I was trying to set preferences, so as you might expect, I'm very cautious about making changes. I don't know if changing any preferences would enable drag and drop, I'm just trying to illuminate the eggshells I'm walking in trying to stabilize the program.
In answer to your question, about the "documents and settings folder", no, I'm not using in any of my photo file paths. I realize I may have confused the issue with that statement, it was out of context. But my purpose in doing so was to obviate the differences in file paths that PSE is expecting, and the file paths that I'm using. Perhaps that was a bad example.
I almost never use either the "My Documents" or the My Pictures" folders in Windows, nor do I allow PSE to use them. Storing data of any kind on the OS drive (C:/) is not in my repertoire of "stupid things I like to do, even if they're destined to end badly".
All of my computers have a minimum of 2 physical HDDs, not partitions. All video, music, photos, program installer files, etc. are stored on a discreet, separate, HDDs, (identified in "My Computer" as, (IE) " G: Volume")). The "C:/" drives are exclusively for Windows and installed programs.
That said, a typical file path to a group of photos in my computer would be, "My Computer" > "G:/ Volume" > "My Digital Photos" > "Airshows" > "McGuire AFB 2007" (In case you're wondering, I'm way too lazy to go through that each time, so I add desktop shortcuts to the extra HDDs and even the largest folders).
As you are well aware, that is completely different from the file path that PSE would choose by default. A file path for which I have a great deal of disdain. But, that is another complicated and contentious issue, which doesn't have a clear winner thus far.
Anyhoo, I think that PSE would "appear" more compatible (and probably is )with Windows 7 if it were allowed to follow it's own choices as to where to store the photo files. One supposes the folders that Windows 7 "creates" for earlier programs further aids (supposed) compatibility.
As I mentioned in one of my other somewhat long winded posts, I now have a viable option for importing photos, "find photos by searching", the manual drill down modus operandi. Works great!
I'm not expecting this installation of PSE to do any, "heavy lifting" with respect to editing, or a resting place for un-backed up photos . It's in a new machine I just built for the primary purpose of, extra backup,  recording TV, and perhaps installing a Bluray drive. The motherboard has HDMI output, so it plugs into the TV directly, and the PSE slideshow function works perfectly.  With a 40" TV, it's even better than a slide projector for boring relatives with vacation photos!
So, although this thread is still marked as "unanswered", I do have a workaround solution. There should be a check box indicating, "it won't ever be answered until Adobe issues a patch"! (Like that's going to happen).
Again Mr. Ellis, thank you very much for your interest in this issue. I might add that I have read your page on problems with PSE and it's obvious that you have applied a great deal of thought, effort, experience, and industry toward helping people deal with PSE more effectively.
As an afterthought I have several copies of PSE laying around, 2,3,5, & 7, (some in multiples) and I've never had a serious problem with any of them. So I'm actually astounded when I see the litany of issues that apparently manifest themselves. This is my first actual issue, and Windows 7 is pretty upfront about PSE 7 being an incompatible application.