Windows Live Photo Gallery 2009: DB keeps corrupting


Recommended Posts

Every few minutes I'm using Windows Live Photo Gallery 2009 it crashes with:

45657071jd9.jpg

It can be fine for awhile but it then suddenly crashes. I only installed it about an hour ago (upgrading from v2008). I've tried running a Repair from Programs and Features. Each time it crashes/gets corrupt if I follow these instructions:

1. Type %userprofile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Photo Gallery in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.

2. Right-click Pictures.pd4, and then select Rename.

3. Change the name of file to OLD_Pictures.pd4.

4. Start Windows Live Photo Gallery.

And it's fine for awhile before it crashes again. If I don't great a new DB when I go back into Windows Live Photo Gallery 2009 it immediately gives the error above.

Thanks

p.s - Source: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/944221/en-us

Interestingly when it is corrupted and I open a JPG from Windows Explorer it doesn't crash with that window left minimized. It seems to only crash when the main program is open.

It also takes ages to load, saying "Loading". Windows Live Photo Gallery 2008 opened almost instantly.

Edited by bradavon

I've just spent ages uninstalling, removing all Windows Live folders and registry entries, reinstalling Windows Live Essentials 2009 Wave 3 to find it's still crashing in exactly the same way.

If I cannot fix it over the next few days I'll have to go back to Windows Live Essentials 2008 Wave 2. That works fine. I like the new Favourites feature in WLM and the People Tagging in WLPG is decent but not enough to have it crash on me. It's also got really bloated. It's well over 150Mb, why on earth does it need to be this big? And install so many extra components?

The fact it takes ages to open is annoying enough to go back. I'll wait until the next version is released or when Windows 7 comes. Windows Live Essentials 2008 Wave 2 is already decent.

I wonder if I can run Windows Live Messenger 2009 and Windows Live Photo Gallery 2008.

Are you using Vista or Windows 7? WLPG used to be fine for me, but I got Windows 7 and installed the latest Wave 3, and it keeps crashing whenever I'm browsing my (massive) library of photos on a wireless NAS.

I don't know what to do, it just keeps crashing.

Vista HP SP1 32-Bit and mine crashes browsing locally.

My collection consists of 16,576 files and 531 folders. Coming to 51.5Gb. I know it doesn't like at least one of my MPEGs (it asked if I wanted to ignore it as it had trouble reading it). I'd prefer it didn't look at videos at all but I don't think you can tell it what to check.

How big is your collection? I was wondering if that's what it is. I'm probably going to go back to 2008/Wave 2 today. Even if it doesn't crash it still takes too long to open.

I'm hoping I can uninstall, install Photo Gallery 2008/Wave 2 and then the 2009/Wave 3 MSI files for Windows Live Messenger. I have them saved from the Cache folder.

Have you tried 2008/Wave 2 on Windows 7? I'm at a loss how to fix it too.

I think it is the size of our libraries. The crash dump for mine mentions thumbcache.dll, and I'm thinking it crashes more when I open a folder with a lot of files.

I reckon you're right. It seems to crash most when I'm working on large selections (namely adding people tags).

Let me know if you're successful with Wave 2.

I'm sure that will be fine. I ran it from when it was released (November 2007) until the other day and it didn't crash once. Thankfully there isn't a huge difference between Wave 2 and Wave 3 (from what I can see). It doesn't have "people tagging" but I'm pretty sure you can still tag people, so it's no real loss. It definitely opens much quicker and has none of this "Loading" rubbish.

All the Live components have grown loads since Wave 2, all that background stuff (like Application Error Control and SQL) aren't in Wave 2. I bet all that isn't helping matters.

More work seems to have been done on Windows Live Messenger than Photo Gallery. I don't run any of the other Wave 3 components, except Office Outlook Connector (which isn't really a Live component). Hopefully you can mix Wave 2 and 3 applications. Unless I can find a fix by tomorrow night I'll go back to Wave 2. I'll post again then.

It's still crashing in the same way, so I've gone back to Windows Live Photo Gallery 2008 (Wave 2). WOW it opens so much quicker. Here's what I did:

1. Uninstalled Wave 3

2. Ran the Wave 2 Installer and just installed Live Photo Gallery

3. Ran the following MSI files to install Windows Live Messenger 2009 (Wave 3):

Messenger.msi - Main program

Contacts.msi - Windows Live Communications Platform - You cannot login without it

This link: http://messengergeek.spaces.live.com/Blog/...try?sa=22717258

Says you also need to install:

dw20shared.msi - Application Error Reporting

crt.msi - Visual Studio Runtime

SegoeFont.msi - Segoe UI Font - Not required on Vista

But I've not bothered and it works fine.

Taking this approach means Windows Live Messenger doesn't appear in Programs and Feature/Add-Remove. To uninstall the components:

1. Right click on each MSI

2. Click on "Uninstall"

If you run "WLXSuite.msi" (WL Essentials Installer MSI) it appears in Programs and Features but when run doesn't do anything, not in my experience anyway.

The MSI files are in:

Wave 3: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Windows Live\.cache

Wave 2: C:\Program Files\Common Files\WindowsLiveInstaller\MsiSources

Edited by bradavon

This will do for now until Microsoft fix the bugs in Wave 3 Live Photo Gallery or I get Windows 7 and try again. I'm in no particular rush, Live Photo Gallery 2008 works much better.

It even has tagging, although it is more basic than 2009.

Same problem here running Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit and the latest WL Essentials. My WLPG would crash soon After I added the photos folder on my Windows Home Server.

Disabling "face detection" in >File>Options seems to have fixed the problem for me.

Hope this works for others as well.

post-265920-1232079109_thumb.png

Hello

Thanks for the suggestion. I tried this and found it helped but for me it still crashed :(. I'm not sure what that does as it still recognised faces when disabled. Windows Live Photo Gallery 2008 works perfectly. I'll stick with that for now.

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 1 month later...
My Live Photo 2009 is also crashing on Windows 7 and referencing thumbcache. I tried disabling the face recognition, but that doesn't work. I'm not sure if it matters, but my photos on are windows home server, and there are over 30gb of photos.

Just checking back here on this post. With the latest forced update my WLPG reverted to crashing again and no disabling of face detection or other features helps, so I'm between a rock and a hard place since I really don't want to go through the hassle of uninstalling/installing a hybrid configuration of live applications.

Yes, I too have all of my photos on WHS, so that definitely is the key.

Wish someone at Live would help us out here.

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • Slight change of pace for me! Gunnar & the Grizzly Boys - Standard American (Official)  
    • draw.io Desktop 30.2.4 by Razvan Serea draw.io desktop is a downloadable security-first diagramming application that runs on Windows, MacOS and Linux. Creating diagrams in the desktop app doesn’t need an internet connection. This is useful when you are disconnected or when you must create diagrams in a highly secure environment, where data protection is of the utmost importance. When you use the draw.io desktop app, your diagrams will be stored on your local device. Because this is a stand-alone application, also designed to run offline, there are no interfaces to cloud storage platforms available. Of course, you can still store your diagrams in folders that are synchronised to your cloud storage if you wish. Easy-to-use diagram editor The draw.io apps work just like the office and drawing tools you are used to using. Drag and drop shapes from the shape libraries and drag to draw connectors between them. Drag connectors to add waypoints and set a precise shape and position, or let them reroute automatically. Double click and start typing to add a label to anything. Create tables and swimlane flows with a familiar tool. Style shapes and connectors with customisable palettes, sketch options, fonts and text formatting tools. Search for shapes, including in open-source icon libraries. Use our vast libraries of shapes and templates, organised into logical categories, to create a range of diagrams and infographics. Generate diagrams from text descriptions using our smart templates. Diagram faster with keyboard shortcuts. draw.io Desktop 30.2.4 changelog: Uses electron 42.4.1 Updates to draw.io core 30.2.4. Download: draw.io 64-bit | Standalone ~100.0 MB (Open Source) Download: draw.io 32-bit | ARM64 | ARM64 Standalone Links: draw.io Home Page | Project page @GitHub | Screenshot Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware
    • Microsoft will soon allow some users to block Copilot from analyzing their Office files by Usama Jawad Microsoft Purview is a pretty useful data governance, security, and management service that allows customers to gain enhanced visibility and control over their content. It's meant for commercial customers, such as organizations that are storing data at scale. As AI continues to expand and infiltrate every corner of a firm, many are a bit conscious about the technology gaining access to their confidential data. Microsoft is now making a configuration change that will allow such customers to rest easy. Right now, users within an organization have the option to apply Purview sensitivity labels (when available) to secure certain files and label them as such. For example, if you apply the "Confidential" label on an Excel file, the file will be encrypted, and a "confidential" watermark will be applied to it. So, if this file is shared with anyone, they are aware that its access is supposed to be restricted. Up until now, Microsoft was allowing some connected experiences, like its AI services, to analyze files, regardless of their sensitivity label. This is of major concern to most organizations, as a recent example highlighted how confidential emails with data loss prevention (DLP) policies like privacy labels were being uploaded to Copilot for analysis. As such, Microsoft is updating an existing Purview data label sensitivity setting that prevents "some connected experiences that analyze content", from being blocked completely from doing this. The label isn't changing, but the blocking is now being enforced across all connected services (including Copilot and other AI tools), and now extends to Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Files with the label applied already will get this enhancement automatically too once it becomes available. Microsoft has urged IT admins to inform their respective helpdesk and compliance teams, update internal documentation, and review sensitivity labels to ensure that they meet their respective compliance needs. This change is tagged as MC1297982 in the Message Center. General availability is scheduled to begin in a phased manner soon and will complete by the end of next month. That said, it is important to note that this only applies to commercial customers who have a license that allows them to use Purview.
    • llamas are unruly going haywire in New Guinea.
    • The Persuasion Engine: How Any Business Can Use AI-Powered Neuromarketing —was $28 now free by Steven Parker Claim your complimentary copy (worth $35) of "The Persuasion Engine: How Any Business Can Use AI-Powered Neuromarketing to Understand and Win Customers" for free, before the offer ends on June 24. Description The Persuasion Engine, by neuromarketing and behavioral science expert Roger Dooley, solves the most pressing challenge faced by every marketer: how to figure out why customers make the decisions they do when 95% of their thought processes occur at an unconscious level. Dooley explains how artificial intelligence democratizes sophisticated neuromarketing tools that were once available only to Fortune 500 companies, making powerful customer insight and persuasion techniques accessible to businesses of any size. The book walks you through the evolution of traditional neuromarketing into ”Neuromarketing 2.0,” where AI-powered tools eliminate the need for expensive lab studies and human behavioral science experts. It offers a comprehensive roadmap for implementing eye tracking, facial coding, biometrics, implicit testing, and advanced AI behavioral techniques that dramatically improve marketing effectiveness while reducing costs and time investment. Inside the book, you’ll find: Revolutionary AI prompting strategies that bring world-class behavioral science expertise to your desktop Practical frameworks for leveraging attention, emotion, credibility, and decision architecture to boost conversions Step-by-step guidance for implementing biometric tools and implicit testing without laboratory resources Advanced techniques for creating scarcity, urgency, and FOMO that drive immediate customer action Comprehensive methods for auditing and enhancing empathy in customer communications Perfect for marketing professionals, business owners, entrepreneurs, and anyone with a stake in customer acquisition and retention, The Persuasion Engine provides actionable strategies that will transform your approach to marketing. Whether you're working on a shoestring or managing enterprise campaigns, you'll discover how to use your customers' non-conscious motivations and create compelling marketing that work on real people in the real world. How to download for free Please ensure you read the terms and conditions to claim this offer. Complete and verifiable information is required in order to receive this free offer. If you have previously made use of these offers, you will not need to re-register. Was $28, but is now FREE | Below free offer link expires on June 24. The Persuasion Engine: How Any Business Can Use AI-Powered Neuromarketing to Understand and Win Customers The below offers are also available for free in exchange for your (work) email: The Vibe Coding Playbook: Building Your Tech Business with AI ($35 Value) FREE - Expires 6/23 The Persuasion Engine: How Any Business Can Use AI-Powered Neuromarketing to Understand and Win Customers ($28 Value) FREE - Expires 6/24 How to Do More with Less: Future-Proofing Yourself in an AI-driven Economy ($28 Value) FREE - Expires 6/30 Cloud Security Fundamentals: Building the Foundations for Secure Cloud Platforms ($131.95 Value) FREE - Expires 7/1 The Complete Free AI Learning: Master ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini & More ($21 Value) FREE How to Build an AI Design Workflow with Gamma ($21 Value) FREE The Ultimate Linux Newbie Guide – Featured Free content Python Notes for Professionals – Featured Free content Learn Linux in 5 Days – Featured Free content Quick Reference Guide for Cybersecurity – Featured Free content We post these because we earn commission on each lead so as not to rely solely on advertising, which many of our readers block. It all helps toward paying staff reporters, servers and hosting costs. Other ways to support Neowin The above deal not doing it for you, but still want to help? Check out the links below. Check out our partner software in the Neowin Store Buy a T-shirt at Neowin's Threadsquad Subscribe to Neowin - for $14 a year, or $28 a year for an ad-free experience Disclosure: An account at Neowin Deals is required to participate in any deals powered by our affiliate, StackCommerce. For a full description of StackCommerce's privacy guidelines, go here. Neowin benefits from shared revenue of each sale made through the branded deals site.
  • Recent Achievements

    • Week One Done
      Eurosoft10 earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Month Later
      Eurosoft10 earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • One Year In
      Skeet Campbell earned a badge
      One Year In
    • One Month Later
      Sharbel earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • First Post
      BizSAR earned a badge
      First Post
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      589
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      190
    3. 3
      Michael Scrip
      76
    4. 4
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      75
    5. 5
      neufuse
      72
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!