Annoying Hourglass in Photoshop

Blue Ten · 03-17-2008, 12:09 PM

I wasn't sure whether I should post this here or in the Windows XP forum...

Anyway, I have an Intuos3 6x8 tablet and Photoshop CS3 running on Windows XP Home. I've been using it for a while without any problems, but eventually something started to happen.

Whenever I make quick brush strokes, the Windows hourglass cursor replaces the brush and then quickly disappears. After a while it can get really distracting, especially when working for hours on an image.

I've checked the Wacom drivers, used both the old and new ones, but the hourglass still pops up. I even tried creating and using an invisible cursor to replace the hourglass -- but it continued to show up

.

It seems to be related to Photoshop, since it doesn't appear to happen in any other programs. But could it also be my CPU? The fan does seem to be running a little loud.

<i>Note: I have all of Windows XP's special effects turned off, and have long-since uninstalled all the bloatware that came with my PC. I scan for viruses and spyware regularly as well. CS3 is also updated.</i>

How can I stop this? Even if it's an underhanded, messing with the registry solution, I don't mind. I just want to NOT see that dang thing popping up each time I make a brush stroke.

Blue Ten · 03-17-2008, 12:18 PM

Also, here are my system specs if it helps:

eMachines W3502
3.2 Ghz Celeron D
1.5GB RAM
Nvidia GeForce 7300 GS, 512MB DDR2

zuluclayman · 03-17-2008, 11:39 PM

The hourglass usually means that the program is processing your last action - could be that if your images are of a reasonably large size that your comp is just a little slow in processing the actions you do with your tablet and the reason it disappears is that it has finished processing the action. I would imagine if you say it has not been a problem before that now might be the time to defrag your hard drives etc to try to up your system' performance!

Blue Ten · 03-18-2008, 03:01 PM

Thanks for the reply :).

I usually do a lot to keep the computer running at optimal performance, even going so far as to shut down any unneeded programs when running Photoshop. Also, the images I'm working with now aren't any larger than the ones before the problem started. I haven't defragged in a while, though -- I'll give that a shot. Thanks.

03-17-2008, 12:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
Blue Ten Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 29 OS: Vista Home Premium My System	Annoying Hourglass in Photoshop I wasn't sure whether I should post this here or in the Windows XP forum... Anyway, I have an Intuos3 6x8 tablet and Photoshop CS3 running on Windows XP Home. I've been using it for a while without any problems, but eventually something started to happen. Whenever I make quick brush strokes, the Windows hourglass cursor replaces the brush and then quickly disappears. After a while it can get really distracting, especially when working for hours on an image. I've checked the Wacom drivers, used both the old and new ones, but the hourglass still pops up. I even tried creating and using an invisible cursor to replace the hourglass -- but it continued to show up . It seems to be related to Photoshop, since it doesn't appear to happen in any other programs. But could it also be my CPU? The fan does seem to be running a little loud. <i>Note: I have all of Windows XP's special effects turned off, and have long-since uninstalled all the bloatware that came with my PC. I scan for viruses and spyware regularly as well. CS3 is also updated.</i> How can I stop this? Even if it's an underhanded, messing with the registry solution, I don't mind. I just want to NOT see that dang thing popping up each time I make a brush stroke.

03-17-2008, 12:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
Blue Ten Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 29 OS: Vista Home Premium My System	Re: Annoying Hourglass in Photoshop Also, here are my system specs if it helps: eMachines W3502 3.2 Ghz Celeron D 1.5GB RAM Nvidia GeForce 7300 GS, 512MB DDR2

03-17-2008, 11:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
zuluclayman Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Newcastle NSW Australia Posts: 172 OS: WindowsXPSP2	Re: Annoying Hourglass in Photoshop The hourglass usually means that the program is processing your last action - could be that if your images are of a reasonably large size that your comp is just a little slow in processing the actions you do with your tablet and the reason it disappears is that it has finished processing the action. I would imagine if you say it has not been a problem before that now might be the time to defrag your hard drives etc to try to up your system' performance!

03-18-2008, 03:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
Blue Ten Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 29 OS: Vista Home Premium My System	Re: Annoying Hourglass in Photoshop Thanks for the reply :). I usually do a lot to keep the computer running at optimal performance, even going so far as to shut down any unneeded programs when running Photoshop. Also, the images I'm working with now aren't any larger than the ones before the problem started. I haven't defragged in a while, though -- I'll give that a shot. Thanks.