Can't load catalog after 7.4 upgrade

[PRG30]

LR just won't load my catalog. Using PC.   Actually, the first 2x trying to just update, the updates failed. The third update attempt successful and looks like made some changes to XMP?  Then, I've uninstalled LR CC and reinstalled successfully, but then still won't load catalog.  Help please! thanks.

[dj_paige]

What happens? Describe in detail.

What is the EXACT word-for-word unedited verbatim error message?

What is your operating system version NUMBER?

[PRG30]

Thanks for responding.

64 bit Windows 10 Pro.

The error I get is that the blue circle spins, then I get LR is unresponsive.  I can see my catalog structure with all the names of the folders, but no indication that there are any photos in any of the folders. 

I find these 2 files after I close LR and delete them before I try loading my catalog again:

After each failed attempt, I restart my computer.

the catalog is on an external hard drive.

[dj_paige · Accepted solution]

Try deleting or renaming your preference file.

Preference file and other file locations | Lightroom Classic CC and Lightroom 6

[PRG30]

so if I rename the preference file, it will create a new one?  Do I lose all my preferences?

FYI- When I deleted LR CC and reinstalled 7.4, I answered the question about keeping the preference file = Yes.

[dj_paige]

If you rename it, you lose your preferences, but this is being done as an experiment to see if it makes any difference. If it does not make any difference, then un-rename it and you are back where you were before.

[PRG30]

I got this message, so I'm upgrading

[PRG30]

strange, it created a '-3' catalog and opened all my photos quickly, but left off my photos from this May & June 2018

[dj_paige]

Maybe it opened the wrong catalog?

[PRG30]

update- LR just sits there with the cursor and I have 2 images that look like they are trying to load, but nothing going on.  I have 24,000+ images but after like 10 minutes of nothing happening, I close out LR and get the Backup pop up box, that I skip.  This time LR just closed without the 'unresponsive' message.