13 Replies Latest reply: Apr 24, 2011 2:14 PM by Bill Hunt RSS

    Trying to fix broken PSD files

    numetro Community Member

      Hi Photoshop experts,

       

       

      I have a group of layered Photoshop CS PSD files that were saved on a  Mac back in 2004 and then burned to DVD... most of them open fine now on  this PC with Windows 7 in Photoshop, GIMP and IrfanView.

       

       

      But a few of these PSD files open but only display a message on a plain white background that says,

      "This layered Photoshop file was not saved with a composite image" in four languages.



      Unfortunately I am in a location where I can not get back to the Mac  computer and Firewire drive that these files were originally saved to  and I am currently working on this PC with Windows 7, Photoshop, GIMP  and IrfanView, but these files won't open here.

      I'm wondering if anyone knows a trick, a bit of internal code editing,  or any application that might get these files to open and display at  least a flat version of what they contain, if not the full set of layers  that were originally saved.

      Thanks for any help,

      numetro
        • 1. Re: Trying to fix broken PSD files
          Noel Carboni Community Member

          They were saved with "Maximize Compatibility" turned off.

           

          This is the message IrfanView shows, I believe, in that case.

           

          PS3Required.jpg

           

          IrfanView will put up such a message, but it's always been my experience that a newer version of Photoshop would open such a file.  Have you actually tried to open the files emitting that message in Photoshop?

           

          Also try - believe it or not - Windows Photo Viewer (i.e., right-click on the file and choose Preview).

           

          Failing the above, I have (on PC) most every version of Photoshop back to 6.0 installed, and 4.0 and 5.5 on disc if it comes to that.  If you want to make them available via a link (e.g., YouSendIt.com) I can try to open them and resave them for you in a more compatible format.

           

          -Noel

          • 2. Re: Trying to fix broken PSD files
            numetro Community Member

            Hi Noel,

             

            Thanks so much for your reply.

             

            That message that I get is within the opened file, so there is no further to go.

             

            I tried saving it to a TIFF and even to  RAW file, but nothing has worked so far.

             

            I tried opening them (primarily two files that I would be happy to get open) in Windows Photo Viewer, Windows Live Photo Gallery Repair, Apple Picture Viewer, Photoshop 5.5, GIMP 2.6, IrfanView, Paint.net, and WinFF, which converts some kinds of files... nothing has worked.

             

            It is strange because I have other PSD files that were saved the same day and the exact same  way on the same Mac in Photoshop CS that will open in this Photoshop 5.5 and  GIMP on Windows 7... they were all worked on, saved and burned to DVD the same way in  the same batch.

             

            I would be happy to send them to you via YouSendIt.com... there is nothing personal in them... they are just a couple of worked photos of buildings.

             

            How would I do this?... I haven't used YouSendIt.com before... they are 77mb and 55mb images, so they may take a little while to upload... would it be good if I zipped them?

             

            I will check out YouSendIt.com and wait for your reply.

             

            Thank you very, very much,

             

            numetro

            • 3. Re: Trying to fix broken PSD files
              numetro Community Member

              Actually, both PSD files, when zipped, are only about 65 megs... and I am on the YouSendIt.com webpage, so I guess I could get an email address that is needed for the receiving end from you via private message, if that is available on this forum.

               

              Thanks!

               

              numetro

              • 4. Re: Trying to fix broken PSD files
                Noel Carboni Community Member

                As I mentioned in the PM, send me one or two to start with and I'll be happy to see if anything I have opens them.

                 

                -Noel

                • 5. Re: Trying to fix broken PSD files
                  MTSTUNER Community Member

                  Have you tried ImageReady which should be installed if you have photoshop 5.5.

                  (came with photoshop 5.5)

                   

                  Sometimes it opens files that other applications can't.

                   

                   

                   

                   

                  MTSTUNER

                  • 6. Re: Trying to fix broken PSD files
                    Bill Hunt CommunityMVP

                    If Noel has any problems, I'd be glad to attempt in my older PS versions, or in my older Painter versions. You can YouSendIt to info AT huntphoto DOT com.

                     

                    Good luck, and hope that Noel can help you.

                     

                    Hunt

                    • 7. Re: Trying to fix broken PSD files
                      Noel Carboni Community Member

                      I was able to open the first two files you sent successfully simply by opening them in Photoshop CS5 64 bit.  Very nice images.

                       

                      I resaved them with Maximize Compatibility and am uploading them now. I'll eMail you back the link in a few minutes.

                       

                       

                      -Noel

                      • 8. Re: Trying to fix broken PSD files
                        Bill Hunt CommunityMVP

                        Hey Noel, you saved me some work...

                         

                        Nice going,

                         

                        Hunt

                        • 9. Re: Trying to fix broken PSD files
                          Noel Carboni Community Member

                          I've eMailed back the link.  Let me know if you do not get it or have trouble downloading the zip file.

                           

                          Feel free to send more images.

                           

                          -Noel

                          • 10. Re: Trying to fix broken PSD files
                            numetro Community Member

                            Hi MT STUNER,

                             

                            I tried opening ImageReady that came along with the old Photoshop 5.5 that works on this Windows 7 machine, but ImageReady gives and error when trying to open at all.

                             

                            Noel ended up getting the files open for me and sending them back to me successfully,

                             

                            Thanks so much for your help Noel !

                             

                            numetro

                            • 11. Re: Trying to fix broken PSD files
                              numetro Community Member

                              And thanks for the offer Bill... Noel did it!

                               

                              numetro

                              • 12. Re: Trying to fix broken PSD files
                                Noel Carboni Community Member

                                You're welcome.  If only more problems were this quick to resolve!

                                 

                                -Noel

                                • 13. Re: Trying to fix broken PSD files
                                  Bill Hunt CommunityMVP

                                  If only more problems were this quick to resolve!

                                   

                                  Isn't THAT the truth!!!!

                                   

                                  Hunt