Listening to the Voices in My Head

I got OnOne Perfect PhotoSuite 9 for Photoshop installed and running. The problem I had after that was getting odd errors. Clicked on "Browse in Bridge" and I would get Javascript error. I couldn't load multiple images into layers to, and attempting to photomerge would result in the same Javascipt error.

You can't pick what installation of Photoshop to install OnOne 9 into. Yes, I still have CS5 running, with OnOne 8 because I have certain tools that just do not work in CS6 (astronomy based actions/plugins/addons). I tried uninstalling and reinstalling v8. Still kept getting the errors. I had no way to install or keep it in just CS5 during the install. I also couldn't pick which version of Photoshop I wanted to uninstall OnOne Suite from. ARGH!

Solution: Installed OnOne 9 leaving OnOne 8 fulling installed. Then, what I did was go into CS6 and moved the plugin folders out of the CS6, launched, and TaDa! Javascript/PhotoMerge/Browse From Bridge works and I still have v8 installed for CS5.

Then another problem: after the installation, different OnOne tools that I use in conjunction because some of the features and options aren't in the PhotoSuite, stopped working. It took about 4 hours to get that fixed, as both PhotoTune/PhotoProfessional tools had to be reinstalled, and my 'work arounds' applied.

I'm quite tired now.

Dashed upon the rocks of "Must be user error".

Quick recap: bought a Sony Vaio laptop with Windows 7 on it, but Windows 8 ready. Could purchase upgrade for $14.99.

First time, around, using the Sony Vaio update utility, I had problem after problem after problem (copy/paste not working, Windows Explorer crashing, video/graphics drivers issues, then the black blank screen) so I restored the Windows 7 system image I had.

A few months roll by, and after yet again getting intermittent BSODs during Windows 7 start ups, of which no specific reason could be found, I decided to update to Windows 8 again.

Once again, rolled out the Sony Viao update utility, updated to Windows 8. Knew about the graphics driver issue, the fix for the copy paste issue, and what to do about the black screen.

Ok, well and good. Let's go back to the Sony site and get the most up to date drivers. Therein lies the problem. Once again, when I tried to update the video drivers, I keep getting "You don't have the right hardware for this update". So, I head on over to the AMD site. Yes, they have the newer drivers, but it specifically says NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SONY LAPTOPS.

I emailed Sony. I had thought I was actually getting somewhere with them. How so silly of me. Want to know what their final response was? An hours long version of "Have you tried turning it off then back on?" Yes, their brilliant decision was to restore Windows 7 (again) and update to Windows 8 (again) using the Sony Viao update utility (again)

Isn't the definition of insanity doing the same exact thing over and over and expecting a different result?

Clue up: First attempt to update fails, could very well be user or software problem. 2nd attempt, there's something wrong with the hardware.

Going through the laborious process of running the installation files for my OnOne photo Suite, from v5x to 7.5 to make sure that at least tools will install in the 32bit Photoshop CC. I'm not even given an option to install them (with the exception of 7.5) in CC 64 bit, so I can't even using the little trick I discovered of copying one DLL from the 32 bit directory to make the tools functional in the 64 bit version.

Also, still no joy on using any of my Alien Skin plugins with CC. *sigh*

So far, though, it seems my options are stay with CS6E 64 bit with all tools and plugins functional, or use CC, with it hobble, or using it 32bit only, thereby not using full system resources and to be continuously billed for the luxury of not being able to use all the plugins and tool. OR bounce from the 64bit to the 32bit versions of CC and then off to CS6? My brain hurts.

What a frigging choice, yes?

I knew there were to be drivers to be updated and was fully prepared for that. What I wasn't prepared for is this:

Went to the AMD site to get updated Win8 driver for my laptop. Got error that my laptop was incompatible, and to go to computer manufacturer site to download driver from them.

Ok, off I go. I go all through the typing in Make, model, and scroll through the drivers. The only driver they have listed there is for Intel, not AMD. Whohuhwha..?

Without the right graphics driver, most of my Photoshop tools don't work because I can't use the graphics processor!

I have emailed Sony.... but seriously, I'm so glad I made a full system back up yesterday, because if this issue isn't rectified soon, VERY soon, I will be restoring my to yesterdays system image.