Mac OS X 10.5.2 Special Report: Applications fail to launch

Some users are reporting problems launching key applications (including Apple apps) after installing Mac OS X 10.5.2. Some typical reports:

• "Since i have upgraded to 10.5.2 i can no longer open my iTunes application." -- Tom Kemp
• "I first installed via Software Update, the 10.5.2 update, and following restart, many applications would not open.  The splash screen came up and stayed with the spinning beachball.  Examples of applications that would not work - Office 2008, Photoshop, iPhoto and others.  I fortunately was able to open my browser and download 10.5.2 Combo (343 Meg).  Installing the Combo updater did not change anything; my computer exhibits the same condition and I cannot open applications either from the dock or from double clicking an icon.  Frustrated? - Yes." -- Darryl G. Adams
• "I can't seem to open word 2004 or endnote x.1 on my powerbook. These are critical apps for me, if there is a fix please help.  have updated to 10.5.2 and also updated leopard graphics.  some other apps seem broken as well, plasq's comic life and doozla so far, there may be more." -- Tim Pasch

See our tutorial What to do when a Mac OS X application will not launch for a number of fixes.

In the case of iTunes, specifically, bad files in the iTunes library might be causing problems. Try browsing through your iTunes music library (~/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music) for items with long names, remove them. Failing that, navigate to the ~/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music folder and move all the folders therein to another location (a new folder on the Desktop) for example. Now launch iTunes and make sure that the crash does not occur. Next, move the individual music folders folders back into ~/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music in groups (i.e. a few folders at a time). You should eventually experience the freeze, unresponsiveness or crash again, and you can then pinpoint the problematic music/podcast files and remove them permanently.ems.

Index:

• Release Notes an update procedure recommendations
• Determining whether problems are caused by Mac OS X 10.5.2 or Leopard Graphics update
• Downgrading to Mac OS X 10.5.1

• "ACL found but not expected" in Disk Utility
• Active Directory issues
• Adobe application slowness, fixes
• Advice at work
• AirPort slowness, disconnects and more
• Applications fail to launch
• Clicks from speakers
• Finder not starting
• Freezes when using DVD Player
• iCal calendars disappearing
• iPhone syncing problems
• Mail.app issues
• Microsoft Office applications slow to launch
• Missing display resolutions
• Poor Performance: Slow startups; general sluggishness
• Override automatic disk shutdown mechanism
• Parallels problems
• Repair Disk/Permissions to the rescue, again
• Screen savers not asking for passwords
• Slow LAN transfers
• Startup stalls or fails
• System utilities (Cocktail, LCC) must be updated
• Misc. third-party application, device problems (Bluetooth, etc.)
• Time Machine not work properly
• Trackpad, mice, keyboard not working -- reset SMC
• Undocumented fixes
• Wake-from-sleep issues (inadvertent restarts, more)

Resources