Susan, Owbist is great, knowledgeable, and always helpful, so please don't take my response as disputing his obliging and useful advice to you. I have no doubt there is a memory issue that correcting will prove beneficial. What you describe sounds like an overloaded cache directory. This may also be referred to by some programs as the program's scratchpad (or whatever Photoshop Elements calls it). Any program that works with graphics (most programs, actually, whether they work with graphics or not, especially Word), utilizes this area for temporary storage used by your computer's memory. Everything you do in PE creates these temp files, which are an integral part of forming/creating/modifying while in the program. Just opening a graphic in PE prompts the program to automatically generate these cache/scratch/temp files to help it remember the graphic and everything you do to it (such as lightening, sharpening, applying effects, etc.). In other words, PE is creating and storing copies of the information it needs and makes easily retrievable while you task. It is one reason undo is possible, for example, but has many other uses. The program automatically created this area/directory on your hard drive during installation, and some programs build them more heavily and more rapidly than others. That would depend on the size of these files and how many it builds for each individual graphic. Some build only one, but some build quite a few. I have no idea how many PE creates or how big they are. Additionally, there are other temp files the program may be creating. Even though it's finished with those files and has discarded them to the cache/scratchpad directory or to your Temp directory in Windows, it still accesses them. Or, in the very least, they are sitting there in the way, interferring with the program's functionability (is that a word? LOL). This explains your sudden decrease in efficiency. Therefore, adding memory will certainly help but only for the length of time it takes the cached/scratched files to build beyond RAM's ability to manage - which is what actually just happened. Now, your task is finding its location so you can clean it out and be able to clean it periodically. I'm sorry I cannot help with that because I don't have PE. I do have Photoshop but couldn't find its scratch folder doing a quick look. Once you delete all the *junk* in there, PE will resume normal function at a maximum rate of tasking speed that your amount of memory will accommodate. As Owbist indicated, the more the merrier. :) Start another thread for someone with PE to help you find that folder. Incidentally, clean out your Temp directory. C > Windows > Temp Bet you find a bunch of stuff with a .tmp extension. You will likely find files with other extensions, but I wouldn't touch those. Good luck

I would certainly use an external hard drive for back ups. In fact I have just swapped my hard drives around to do that. But it will be for an Acronis image of each of my 3 computers, not necessarily for personal data. Although that might also be done. Besides my backup images of the other drives I keep up to date anti virus, firewalls and spyware programs on my external drive so if friends get into trouble I have those programs at hand to install if they do not have then already.

Okay, I know I'm not Oceanna, but I saw this and thought I'd throw in my 2 cents, for what it's worth. I only do web/graphic design as a hobby, but I recently started doing digital scrapbooking as well, so I'm familiar with several graphics programs, though I do have to admit, I don't know about Artrage. The first program I started with was Paint Shop Pro, and learned to do a lot with it. Then I was finally able to get a copy of Photoshop 7, which I still have. I have upgraded my Paint Shop Pro to 9 (because, apparently, Jasc, the maker, sold to Corel, and it's changed a lot). I love bothing both. I find some things better in one program than in another, and vice versa. My first version of Paint Shop Pro was purchased for about 80 bucks. My newest version was like 40 (on eBay). You might be able to find it on eBay. Another option is PhotoShop Elements (PSE). It doesn't contain all the fancy stuff on the fullblown Photoshop, but still useful features. I know a lot of scanners and printers come with it nowadays (so you may not need to purchase it). Also, I don't know if PSE works with a Wacom. Anyway, thought I'd share. (Although, for the record, I would love a copy of CS, but I can dream..... ^_^)

I find Adobe products in general are very difficult to use...not intuitive at all. I'm a nurse...16 years in ICU using all sorts of monitors and equipment, so I don't consider myself a total dummy. I have been involved in Telephone Nursing for the past 16 years and have learned many programs to manage patient care and also to manage employees and projects. Everything I have learned has been in the office setting by osmosis or taught myself. I'm not an expert by any means, but I can catch on to programs and even write technical curriculum as needed...but Adobe...YIKES...it makes me crazy. I just had to learn a new program out of the Adobe Premier Pro CS3 over the last 2 days within a couple of hours. I built myself a guide with screenshots, but need to practice some more. Maybe after I get better with this video adaption program I will be able to use more elements in Photoshop...but I am a total hack in that program. I wish I had someone at home to show me how to use all these programs...I would be sooooo happy. But I can CROP damitall!!! LOL