How to Troubleshoot Picasa
Picasa is photo-editing software with many features not generally found in free editing tools. It includes all the basics, such as cropping, rotating and contrast. In addition, you can place photos into a collage, a screensaver or a movie to share with friends and family. Bugs in the code or incompatibilities may produce errors that you can fix with a bit of troubleshooting.
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Instructions
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Downloading and Installation
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Download the latest Picasa installer directly from Google's site. Although there are many versions available online, these are not reliable. They might also be outdated or contain viruses.
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Double-click the installer to run it. If nothing happens, restart the computer and try again. This error is sometimes caused by Picasa running in the background. Shut down Picasa and check the task manager to see whether "Picasa3.exe" is listed. Use "End Process" to shut it down.
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Re-download the installer if you receive the following message: "Picasa3.exe is not a valid Win32 application." The installer may have been damaged during the download process, which means the executable is incomplete. If re-downloading doesn't help, delete the file and download it using a different browser.
Missing Pictures
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Enable the file types you would like Picasa to display. The check boxes should be marked by each file type under "Tools," "Options," "File Types." Click "OK" to confirm.
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Open the Folder Manager from the "Tools" menu. Click "Scan Always" next to each folder that contains photos. With this option, Picasa will automatically scan these folders at startup.
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Rebuild Picasa's database. The database keeps track of file details such as location and organization. If the database gets damaged, it can cause oddities in how the photos appear. Back up your photos first and then uninstall Picasa. In the confirmation window, click "Yes" to remove the database.
Playing Videos
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Find out what type of video file your camera uses by reading the documentation that came with it. Alternatively, look for the three-letter extension at the end of the file. The file type will be in Picasa's list if it is supported. (See Resources.)
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Update Windows Media Player and QuickTime. Picasa utilizes both, and you may have playback issues if they are outdated.
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Install a codec pack to reduce the likelihood of video-playback issues. A codec is a file that allows the playback of different types of audio and video. If a specific codec is missing, and you attempt to play a file that needs it, it either won't play, or it will be missing the sound or picture.
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Tips & Warnings
Picasa is updated regularly. If troubleshooting doesn't help, download and install the most recent version from the website.
