[SOLVED] Picasa 3.9 update causes Goole account sign in error

[noosa]

Hi everyone!
I'm a long time forum reader now making my first post...

This morning I updated my PCLinuxOS system via Synaptic and found that one of the updates was to Picasa, which I use regularly for cataloging my photos.
The new update has some impressive and welcome new features included, but it was a shame to find that there is also a problem with it, which prevents it from being able to login in to the online Picasa website for uploading photos.
A Google search reveals that it is a common error in the new 3.9 linux version, and there seems to be a work around to fixing the problem, as can be seen here:
http://www.webupd8.org/2012/01/install-picasa-39-in-linux-and-fix.html

I was wondering if anyone running PCLinuxOS has discovered an alternative solution to the above?

[pinoc]

thanks for the info. I will see if this can be fixed in an updated package.
-p.

[DLWood]

I was just going to report the same thing noosa....you beat me to it.

I tried that fix you referenced; it didn't work for me.  I tried uninstalling and reinstalling Picasa 3.9.  I tried removing the picasa folder under the Google hidden file.  I tried looking for the previous version (3.0 I think) in Synaptic and it wasn't there.  Nothing worked for me.  Hope there is a fix soon, or go back to the previous version.  I send images via Gmail using Picasa all the time and this is a pain in the backside!  I'll have to use Gwenview I guess until the Picasa issue is resolved.

[pinoc]

Ok, got it fixed and working now, should be in the repo soon. Just submitted picasa 3.9-2 with initial custom setup to setup IE6, needed for login to your google account. You can opt to skip that but then you can not login to your Google account.
-p.

[noosa]

Ok, got it fixed and working now, should be in the repo soon....
-p.

Wow, that was fast, you are a legend...
Many thanks for your effort, I look forward to trying out the update once it hits my local repo.

[DLWood]

Ok, got it fixed and working now, should be in the repo soon....
-p.

Wow, that was fast, you are a legend...
Many thanks for your effort, I look forward to trying out the update once it hits my local repo.

+1

[pinoc]

you may have to start with a fresh setup, e.g., delete your picasa setup folder for each user-account having used picasa:

Code: [Select]

rm -fr ~/.google/picasa
the following is valid for each user-account:
1) upon first launch of picasa your personal picasa setup will be setup
2) during the second start of picasa you will be asked if you want to add IE6 to Picasa in order to login to your google account. If you do not use a google account you can skip this installation step which is only run once, else follow the instructions.
3) starting with the third start of Picasa all is set up, either with or without Google account login, no further questions asked 

if you have skipped step 2 or want to add the Google account login feature later on, first close picasa and then enter the following command in a terminal:

Code: [Select]

rm -f ~/.google/picasa/3.0/drive_c/windows/system32/idontwantie6then run picasa and follow the IE6 setup procedure.

hope this helps,
-p.

[DLWood]

Thanks pinoc; much appreciated.

I followed the tip referenced in the first post and installed ie6 in my PCLOS WINE installation.  That didn't work for me as Google still would not log in.  ie6 works in WINE though.

Do I need to uninstall ie6 before going through the steps that you outlined?

[pinoc]

Thanks pinoc; much appreciated.

I followed the tip referenced in the first post and installed ie6 in my PCLOS WINE installation.  That didn't work for me as Google still would not log in.  ie6 works in WINE though.

Do I need to uninstall ie6 before going through the steps that you outlined?

what you did does not work as such. Please wait for the picasa 3.9-2, and follow the instructions. Maybe delete your old ~/.google/picasa as outlined before.
-p.

[DLWood]

what you did does not work as such. Please wait for the picasa 3.9-2, and follow the instructions. Maybe delete your old ~/.google/picasa as outlined before.
-p.

Yes, that's right, and I will wait for the updated 3.9-2.    What I'm asking is should I uninstall the ie6 that I installed per that referenced tip?

[DLWood]

Thanks pinoc!  I did not uninstall ie6 from my PCLOS WINE.  I did install Picasa 3.9-2 from the repo and went through the steps you outlined.  I can now log in with my Gmail account.

Sure wish Google hadn't required that Linux users install MS software to use their Picasa software....but so it is.

Thanks again pinoc...your fix was super fast & efficient.

[p^h]

+1  Thanks so much, Pinoc!  It does annoy me that IE6 (of all things!) had to be installed, but Picasa seems to be working well.  I was about to give up & go with digiKam for photo management when I noticed this thread.  I still set digiKam up anyway as a backup.  Thanks again - nice work!

[noosa]

You have saved the day Pinoc!

Many thanks for your prompt attention to this, I have now marked this thread as "SOLVED"

[noosa]

It does annoy me that IE6 (of all things!) had to be installed...

Yes, I suspect there are many of us who suffer quietly with this fact, but Picasa does such a fine job (for those that need it's feature set) that it may be a long while before a viable native linux alternative appears..

I was about to give up & go with digiKam for photo management...

Likewise, I expect most of us regular Picasa users made a frantic search in Synaptic for an alternative once we found the latest version of Picasa had had it's wings clipped, but alas there is nothing that comes close to covering the features we have become used to quite as smoothly as Picasa does.

[pinoc]

good to hear it works. This fix adds IE6 into the picasa user account (~/.google/picasa/), so it is independent from installing IE6 into the system; who would want to do that anyway... 
-p.