Install log error "Failed to open Master PCD" or "Cache PCD is not writable" | Creative Suite 5, CS5.5

Issue

One or more of the following errors appears in your Creative Suite 5 or CS5.5 log files:

  • Failed to open Master PCD.
  • AMT: Error: Cache PCD is not writable, hence exiting. (Error = 16)

Solution

Launching multiple Creative Suite 5 or CS5.5 products in quick succession can cause these errors. Try launching the products with a few-seconds delay between each launch. If that doesn't work, verify the permissions on the PCD folder using the instructions below.

Windows XP

  1. (Home edition only) Restart in Safe Mode by pressing F8 as you start Windows. Then, choose Safe Mode from the list of startup options.
  2. Choose Start > My Computer > Folder Options, and then click the View tab.
  3. In the Advanced Settings section, deselect Use Simple File Sharing (Recommended) and click OK.
  4. Navigate to \Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\.
  5. Right-click the Adobe PCD folder and choose Properties.
  6. In the Attributes section, deselect the Read-Only option, click Apply, and then click OK.
  7. In the Security tab, make sure that Administrators and System are listed and permissions for security are set to Full Control.
  8. Click Advanced and then click the Owner tab
  9. Select Administrators, check Replace Owner On Subcontainers And Objects, click Apply, and then click Yes.
  10. In the Permissions tab, select Replace Permission Entries On All Child Objects With Entries Shown Here That Apply To Child Objects.
  11. Click OK and Yes until you've closed the Adobe PCD Properties dialog box.
  12. Restart the computer and relaunch your Adobe application.

Windows Vista/Windows 7

  1. Choose Start > Computer > Organize > Folder And Search Options, and then click the View tab.
  2. In the Advanced Settings section, deselect the Use Sharing wizard (Recommended) option and click OK.
  3. Navigate to \Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\.
  4. Right-click the Adobe PCD folder and choose Properties.
  5. In the Attributes section, deselect Read-Only, click Apply, and then click OK.
  6. In the Security tab, make sure that Administrators and System are listed and permissions for security are set to Full Control. If not, do the following:
    1. Click Edit.
    2. If the User Account Control (UAC) elevation prompt appears, then follow the instructions to accept it.
    3. Make the necessary changes.
  7. Click Advanced.
  8. In the Owner tab, click Edit and accept the UAC elevation prompt if it appears.
  9. In the Change Owners Section, click Administrators.
  10. Select the Replace Owner On Subcontainers and Objects option and then click Apply.
  11. In the Permissions tab, click Edit and accept the UAC elevation prompt if it appears.
  12. Select Replace Permission Entries On All Child Objects With Entries Shown Here That Apply To Child Objects.
  13. Click OK and Yes until you have closed the Properties dialog box.
  14. Launch your Adobe application.

Mac OS X

  1. Navigate to the folder you are going to modify.
  2. Control-click the folder and then select Get Info.
  3. In the Sharing & Permissions section, click the Details option to show the owner and group options.
  4. Click the lock icon in the lower right corner and enter your administrator username and password when prompted.
  5. Give Read & Write permissions to your username, admin, and everyone.
  6. Click the Gear icon and choose Apply To Enclosed Item.
  7. Close the Get Info window.
  8. Launch your Adobe application.

 

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