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General discussion

lost Preferences

Aug 22, 2005 6:18AM PDT

Hi, any help would be appreciated. I am using Panther 10.3.9 and I lost my System Preferences. When I try to open them the icon bounces once in the Dock and then nothing.

Thank you in advance,
Eleanor

Discussion is locked

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That's not good!
Aug 22, 2005 7:06AM PDT

Go to the Applications folder and launch it from there. If it works, replace the icon in the dock.
If not, let us know.
Could it be corrupt System Preferences Preferences?

P

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Lost Preferences
Aug 24, 2005 12:32AM PDT

No, that did not work! I also have noticed that in any of my OS X items, I cannot access preferences. My mouse arrow also freezes up quite often & I have adjusted the dial on the bottom of my mouse.

Thanks,
Eleanor

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On to Plan B
Aug 24, 2005 4:21AM PDT

Don't worry, there are still another 24 letters to go.
Next step: Let's try repairing the permissions. Go to the Applications and find Disk Utility. It might be in the Utilities folder and not the Applications folder, I can't remember right now.
Select your HD from the list on the LH side and click the Repair Permissions button. Let it do it's thing. At the end, close off the window and try again with the preferences thing.
Plan C will probably involve an Archive and Install.

Let us know

P

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Lost Preferences
Aug 24, 2005 6:01AM PDT

Did that and it didn't work!

Thanks again.
Eleanor

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Plan C
Aug 24, 2005 6:46AM PDT

Take the Panther install disk and boot the machine with it. Launch the installer program, if it didn't automatically start to run, and select "Archive and Install" as the install option. Continue through the installion steps.
If Archive and Install is NOT one of the options, or it will not let you choose it, STOP and let us know what it said.
This type of install will move your data, documents/email/music/picture/etc. off to a safe place. Install a new OS for you and then move all the saved stuff back to where it should be.
Restart and check for the problem again.

Let us know

Good Luck

Only 22 plans left to go! Happy

P

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Lost Preferences
Aug 25, 2005 4:48AM PDT

Thanks for the info. I am going away for a couple of weeks, but will do this when I get back! I appreciate all your help very much!

Eleanor Happy

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lost Preferences
Aug 27, 2005 12:04AM PDT

One last question, I have an older iMac and it came with System OS 9.2 on it and I upgraded to Panther. Now will this make any difference as to what type of install I do, such as Plan C, etc?

Thanks Again,
Eleanor

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Plan C revisited
Aug 27, 2005 7:56AM PDT

Plan C involves you booting the machine from the Panther installation disk. It will not make any difference that OS 9.2 is on the HD. The Installation disk will only place a new copy of Panther on the disk. Don't forget, it's Archive and Install.

P

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Lost Preferences
Aug 28, 2005 1:11AM PDT

Thanks again, will get back to you in a couple of weeks.

Eleanor

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Lost preferences
Sep 3, 2005 5:08AM PDT

Hello, I am back. I did Plane "C" and it worked great! Is there anythine else for me to do? Thanks again for all your help!

Eleanor

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Yes there is
Sep 3, 2005 5:40AM PDT

Give yourself a pat on the back.
If all is running well for you now, great.
Glad to have been able to steer you through


P

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Lost preferences
Sep 4, 2005 3:28AM PDT

Happy that you were there to help! I have one more problem. I have the Pro optical Mouse, fuzz is located on the Top half of my mouse on the bottom side, where the words Pro Mouse are located. How do I go about getting it out? Can I take it apart?

Thanks again for all your help! Gratefully appreciated!

Eleanor

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Try compressed air
Sep 4, 2005 4:55AM PDT

the sort you get from any computer store.
Not so sure about taking it apart though. It may be ok. Your call


P

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Mouse
Sep 5, 2005 12:28AM PDT

Will give it a try. Everything I've seen on the internet about taking it apart, more or less said, don't do it!

Thanks again, it was a pleasure talking to you!

Eleanor