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General discussion

Applications

Mar 25, 2008 9:14PM PDT

Hi
Mac - - Power Mac G4
Operating System - - Mac OS X Version 10.4.11

When i open an application from the dock, it does not bounce or the arrow underneath does not appear. Sometimes the application will open but i cannot quit it by using the bar at the top because it does not come up. Also, the application does not show when i press cmd+tab. To quit i have to use "Activity Monitor"
Would it be easier re-installing mac os x? But i want to keep applications on my mac... how do i do that???

Thanks

Discussion is locked

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Problems
Mar 25, 2008 10:34PM PDT

Before you go ahead and reinstall the OS, try the following:
1. Disk Utility, Repair Permissions.
2. Disk Utility, Verify Disk.

If, after doing those two things, you still have the launch problem, you should look at reinstalling the OS.

To do that, you will need the OS X installation disks.
Boot from the disk and start the installation. You will be prompted that you cannot install that version of the OS unless you change your install options.
You will be changing your options to Archive and Install (Preserve settings). Do NOT accept any substitutes on this. Do NOT proceed unless you have change the option to Archive and Install.
A & I will keep all your data and settings intact while it installs a fresh system folder. At the end of the installation, your Home folder will be put back where it belongs.
You will need to run Software updater to bring your system back up to 10.4.11

That should fix the problem

Let us know

P

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Tried disc utility
Mar 26, 2008 12:02AM PDT

Hey.
I have tried disc utility but no luck. I dont have the OS discs because i got my mac from my cousin. I was wondering if there was an easy way to reinstall finder? I can open finder but when i do cmd+tab it doesnt show up.

Thanks
Josh

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Yes, there is a very easy way
Mar 26, 2008 12:19AM PDT

In fact it's the only way.

You use the OS X install disks.

You could even use the ones that came with the machine. Why didn't your cousin give you the OS disks?

You really need them, especially when things go wrong; like now.

Finder is not really an application that you can open, as such. It is one of the core processes that is required to run the show. Displaying the desktop is just one of it's functions. What do you mean by "Open Finder"

P

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Re:
Mar 26, 2008 12:28AM PDT

ah ok. Yep im gonna have to get the discs off of him. and i mean that i can open a finder window but doesnt when i press cmd+tab

j