Issue
The places sidebar stopped working in Google Picasa 3. The following error is displayed instead of a map:
[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 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.
Update 10/2023
A recent Google Maps API update now caused another issue: the map is displayed correctly, but the red marker showing the exact location is 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 05/2024
Another update broke Google Maps red marker again. This time, you have to add the following line just before the line we were editing in the 10/2023 update:
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/webcomponentsjs/2.0.0/webcomponents-bundle.js"></script>
The credit for this workaround goes to https://www.picxl.de.
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?
You are probably right. I found this today on https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/javascript/releases
3.54.1
18 August, 2023
Changes:
Upgrades Maps JavaScript API to support ECMAScript 2020 natively.
Advanced Markers are now rendered more clearly.
The map is disabled when Array.from is overridden with an implementation that does not support iterables.
Fixed the focus which was lost when the zoom buttons were disabled at the limit levels.
Same problem. Would be glad to know if someone finds that solution. Thanks!
Same here. Map appears correctly showing the area of the photo, but lacks red marker.
Any fix in sight? Anyone?
Same thing, but at least the location is working again.
Yes - same issue here. The map works but the marker is missing.
Hi everybody !
Same problem for me since yeserday.
No more red balloon on map.
Any fix ?
Thanks.
Yes - same issue here. The map works but the marker is missing.
Yes, I noticed today that the marker is gone....
Thank you for the helpful posts!
the same for me starting from today...
Now the map is still visisble, but the "marker" for the photo are missing?
Any Idea?
Thanks for posting this especially the 05/2022 update.