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I have had the same RAM chips in the computer for about a year and haven’t changed any hardware hooked to the computer for probably 6 months. CS4 is the only program that acts up. I’ll run some hardware checking programs, but really think it’s some bug in CS4.
Have you done any system maintenance? (If so, details, please.) Have you tried resetting Photoshop preferences? Was there any specific change to your computer immediately before you started having the problem?
Have you done any system maintenance? Was there any specific change to your computer immediately before you started having the problem? Does all RAM you have installed show up under your System Profiler (Apple logo –> About This Mac –> More Info… ?
All menus disappear (CS4 and all other programs too) requiring me to unplug the computer.
Or it could be a damaged operating system. Whatever the cause, since it crosses multiple applications it sounds fairly serious.
If other maintenance does not work (including checking to be sure all RAM and other components are properly seated and connected, I’d try logging in as a new user. If that doesn’t work, then an archive and install. If that doesn’t work, I’d be tempted to back up all data, reformat the hard drive with verification, and reinstall everything fresh, from the original media. If that does not solve the problem, it’s time to take the computer to the shop.
All menus disappear (CS4 and all other programs too) requiring me to unplug the computer.
Or it could be a damaged operating system. Whatever the cause, since it crosses multiple applications it sounds fairly serious.
If other maintenance does not work (including checking to be sure all RAM and other components are properly seated and connected, I’d try logging in as a new user. If that doesn’t work, then an archive and install. If that doesn’t work, I’d be tempted to back up all data, reformat the hard drive with verification, and reinstall everything fresh, from the original media. If that does not solve the problem, it’s time to take the computer to the shop.
If by "all other programs" we’re talking about Adobe Suite software, then I might be concerned about the authenticity of the original software. (This last comment is NOT meant to be accusatory — just another possibility in trying to troubleshoot the problem.)
Thanks for the suggestions. All RAM appears to be detected by the OS. The problem does not cross applications; every other program other than CS4 works fine. I’ve got a bunch of programs running right now making some prints, but as soon as I’m done I’ll do some routine maintenance stuff like repair permissions on the HD, etc. I think I’ll try the Apple forums to see if anyone else has had problems running CS4 on a 24" white iMac.
All menus disappear (CS4 and all other programs too)
The problem does not cross applications; every other program other than CS4 works fine.
This is a bit confusing, so let me ask the question: by "CS4" you are saying only applications within the Suite have the problem? I ask because most folks here, when referring to "CS4" are referring just to "Photoshop CS4".
If the former is the case, then your CS4 Suite installation is hosed. Uninstall with the Uninstaller utility and then reinstall by the book from the original discs or download. Do not move or rename anything.
OK, after some digging on the ‘net I thinK I have solved my problem. Under the Performance window in Photoshop Preferences I unchecked the box labeled "Enable OpenGL Drawing," shut down Photoshop and restarted the computer. Both the crop and ruler tools now work fine. The Nvidia 7600GT video card in my iMac doesn’t always play well with OpenGL. Whether we’ll get a new video driver from Nvidia or Apple remains to be seen.
A number of people have had similar problems, so disabling OpenGL might be a good place to start solving any video related problem.
