Issue

The places sidebar stopped working in Google Picasa 3. The following error is displayed instead of a map:

Google Picasa 3 maps module error

[object Error]
You are using a browser that is not supported by the Google Maps JavaScript API. Consider changing your browser.

 Resolution

Close Picasa and perform the following steps:

  • Open Registry Editor (regedit.exe)
  • Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\FeatureControl\FEATURE_BROWSER_EMULATION
  • Create a new DWORD entry with name: picasa3.exe and Hexadecimal value: 2af8 (Decimal: 11000).
    Update 05/2022: You may need to enter 0 instead of 2af8.

Open Picasa and the embedded maps module should now work.

October 2018
Windows 10 Pro (1803)
Picasa 3.9.141


 

Update 10/2023

A recent Google Maps API update now caused another issue where the map is displayed correctly, but the red marker showing the exact location missing.

To resolve the issue perform the following steps:

  • Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Picasa3\runtime\geotag and open file geopanelscript_v3.html in a text editor.
  • Near the end of line 63, replace ...&v=3 with  ...&v=3.51 &v=3.52
    Note: Since 11/2023 with &v=3.51 you may see the error: "ReferenceError: 'google' is undefined". Use &v=3.52

  • You'll need admin rights to save the changes.

The credit for this solution goes to Verrens on www.dpreview.com

Update 05/2022

Due to the Goole Maps backend change, the fix stopped working. A very similar error message is now being displayed instead of the map:

You are using a browser that is not supported by the Google Maps JavaScript API. Please consider changing your browser.
Error: The Google Maps JavaScript API does not support this browser.

All you need to restore the fix (unclear for how long) is to follow the original instructions, but instead of value: 2af8, enter 0.
Credit for this goes to www.picxl.de.

 

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38 comments

  • I'm now getting a "ReferenceError: 'google' is undefined" error under the places tab in Picasa.  Anyone else seeing this or have a fix?

  • All working now having taken the following steps (as per the the above comments by 

    Step One

    To restore the red location marker l've performed the following steps:

    • Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Picasa3\runtime\geotag and open file geopanelscript_v3.html in a text editor.
    • Near the end of line 63, replace ...&v=3 with  ...&v=3.51
      geopanelscript_v3.html

    NB - You'll need admin rights to save the changes.

    Step Two

    Close Picasa and perform the following steps:

    • Open Registry Editor (regedit.exe)
    • Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\FeatureControl\FEATURE_BROWSER_EMULATION
    • Create a new DWORD entry with name: picasa3.exe and Hexadecimal value: 0 (Decimal: 11000).

     

      • If you don't know how to give yourself full permission to a file, just copy it to your desktop, make the changes, and then copy it back to its original location. You will get a UAC prompt where you click Allow, Continue, etc.

  • solution that works given by Verrens on another site :
    
    This issue is caused by google updating the Maps JavaScript API to version 3.52.
    It is therefore necessary to force Picasa to use the previous version 3.51.
    So I edited the geopanelscript_V3.html file located in the folder : C:\Program Files(x86)\Google\Picasa3\runtime\geotag folder - line 63
    and replaced at line 63 :
    <script type="text/javascript" src="http://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/js?client=google-picasa-client&sensor=false&v=3"></script>
    with
    <script type="text/javascript" src="http://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/js?client=google-picasa-client&sensor=false&v=3.51"></script>
    
    You must be an administrator to edit this file as it is in a subfolder of Program Files(x86)
    
  • I think our days with Picasa Geotagging are done; as of today, Picasa is not even displaying the map. 🙁  And it does not look like there will be a fix for it... 

    Does anyone know about another software that will easily display the picture's location? I know Adobe light room does, but I'm not sure how easy it is to manage that function. I think you need to trigger the geotagging process. Picasa was automatic... 

    • I still see the map and it continues to move to the right location but the red baloon is still missing. Any hope of the red baloons ever being corrected? 

    • If you have Lightroom probably best to use that. I used it for geotagging with no issues before I cancelled the subscription.

      Since then, I've been using Picasa (RIP) and GeoSetter. It has its quirks but works pretty well when you get familiar with the process. 

       

  • I have the same issue. Applying the 100 Monkeys in front of a typewriter theory, I've found, so far, that you could add nearly anything that the DWORD Edit Modify would accept except the 2af8 value and you get to the same place....map (re)appears but without the map marker for the photo.  Just haven't gotten through the 1M+ test combinations yet.  For each test, I still see the 'matching' map marker inidicator on the photos that have geotags and the map window will zoom to approximate position of the selected photo, just no 'exact' position marker.  And I do have to fully close/reopen Picasa for the change to occur-closing the Places doesn't fully execute a change of the DWORD value.  In W11.  

  • From the https://www.picxl.de/picasa3-maps-fehlerbehebung/ where they found the previous solution to the issue, they posted the following:"

    I've recently received many inquiries about a new map display problem that arose in mid-August 2023. Presumably after an update of the Microsoft Edge browser, no more markers are displayed on the Google map, even with the settings shown below. The map itself does, also with a centering. However, the red marker from the recording location is missing.
    
    So far I haven't been able to find a solution for this. If anyone knows anything, please send me the relevant information. Either by email or below in the comments section.
  • Has anyone managed to get this working again

    Wonder if some sort of registry hack would  overide the change for Picasa?

  • I'm just reporting the same issue; the red markers are gone from the map. 😭  I just came back from a 2-week trip, and when I downloaded the pictures, they were okay, but just yesterday, I noticed the change. I hope there is a fix for it! 

    I love how easy to brows pictures through Picasa, I do not know of another software like this that can browse and show locations so simply. 

  • On three Picasa computers:  The maps works but the markers are missing.

    Maby an issue/change with the google maps API?

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