Ticket Options

Question Details

TICKET ARCHIVE -> Mac 10.3 Font Book

Debbie B - Sep 7, 2005 - 1:49 pm

I've been using sys. 10.3.9 for about 6 weeks now. At first Font Book worked pretty good. I was able to add some of my fonts with no problem.

Now, it doesn't work at all. When I open Font Book all I get is a blank Collection window, a blank Fonts window and the little progress circle/arrow in the corner just keeps going around and around as if Font Book is looking for information it can no longer find.

I may have moved a fonts folder that I should not have moved, but can't seem to backtrack to get Font Book working again.

I can still use many fonts, but I can't add fonts or turn on/off fonts any longer.

I would greatly appreciate your help. I have a project that I must get out ASAP & I can't turn on the fonts I need!

Thanks,

Debbie B

LovesMacs - Sep 10, 2005 - 2:07 am

HI Debbie,

Ok, so the Fonts Book worked, you've added fonts and now it doesn't work. One thing the Mac is touchy about is adding or deleting Fonts. It's especially cranky if you inadvertently delete or move fonts that are required to boot your Mac with that are used as part of the startup process.

First, I would remove any new fonts you've added yourself.

Second, follow this path:
MacintoshHD>Users>Library>Preferences
Look for the following file:
com.apple.fontbook.plist <--- drag that file to the Trash, empty the Trash

That will restore your preferences for your Font Book and don't worry about sending that file to the Trash as your Mac will create a new preference (plist) file for you the next time you launch Font Book.

Also, use Disk Utility and Repair Permissions. If you aren't sure how to do this go to: MacintoshHD>Applications>Utilities. Find the Disk Utility and double click to open. When the window opens on the left it says: Macintosh HD
Select the MacintoshHD, then click Repair Permissions. This can clear up problems also.

Ok... try these suggestions first, then post back and let me know if you had any success.

We'll get it!!

Carolyn :-)

Debbie B - Sep 12, 2005 - 8:54 am

Carolyn,

Since Font Book is not working, I'm not sure how I can remove fonts from it.

I have a folder that was on my old Mac named "All My Fonts" that is now on my new HD in which I have several other fonts folders. I added a few fonts from these folders to Font Book by dragging them to the OS 9 icon or to a new font collection I created.

I can't remember which fonts I added over the last 6 week period. Should I remove the entire "All My Fonts" folder from my HD? Then see if Font Book works or will that just confuse Font Book even more?

I followed the other 2 steps you suggested, but it didn't solve the problem. The little progress arrow just keeps going & nothing shows up in the Collection of Font lists. I tried typing in a font name to see if it could find a font and did not respond.

Thank you for your reply.

Debbie B

LovesMacs - Sep 12, 2005 - 9:15 pm

HI Debbie,

Ok, try removing the "All My Fonts" folder from you HD. Reboot and see if that's a difference in launching and using your Font Book. Also, have you tried accessing the Font Book other then the Dock? If not, go to your MacintoshHD>Applications>Font Book. Double click on the Font Book and see if it will launch from there.

Also, to see if the font problem is in your user account, create a new account using System Preferences>Accounts. Create an account and log in to it. Try accessing your Font Book from either your Dock or your Application folder. If you can get the Font Book to work in the new account, then we have narrowed down the possibilities of where the problem exists. You can delete the new account at any time. I leave one available for trouble shooting myself and it's come in really handy.

If nothing I've suggested works, I advise using the Restore utility in Disk Utility using your system disks that came with your Mac. That will restore all of your software without deleting or changing any of your files/photos etc.

Hang in there...
Carolyn :-)

Debbie B - Sep 13, 2005 - 9:43 am

Carolyn,

I tried all of your suggestions (with no success) up to the point of using the Restore utility on my system disks. I ran into a couple of problems... the CDs that came with my new computer are 10.3.7 and the system that came installed is 10.3.9.

I have 3 CDs for 10.3.7. One had the Sys. install and Bundled Software only icons. The other only had a text file. The 3rd was for installing sys. 9.

I looked on all 3 by launching the install icon and the bundled software only icon. In "customize", I did not see any list that contained Disk Utility or Font Book. Should I have another CD? Or, am I looking in the wrong places?

I also have a CD for Tiger that came with my computer, but have not installed 10.4. When I looked on that CD, I also did not see a Disk Utility.

Is there anything I can do in the mean time to access the fonts I need? Can I put fonts into one of the fonts folders in my Library folders to activate them?

Thanks for your help. Sorry this is being such a pain!

Debbie B

LovesMacs - Sep 13, 2005 - 9:02 pm

Hi Debbie

<>

You are not a pain and you are welcome for the help. That is what we are here for! Now if we can just get your Mac back into shape.

Hi Debbie,

<>

Ok... this is music to my ears. If you have the Tiger install disk go ahead and install it. That should clear up your Font Book problems right there and upgrading to Tiger will not effect the files/folders/photos/music on the drive. Everything will remain the same as far as your personal data is concerned. But you should always always always, back up your data before running ANY operating system upgrade. Either to a back up external drive or a CD/DVD.

Debbie, you said you couldn't locate Disk Utility in your 10.3.7 system disks. To use Disk Utility on your hard drive, you must boot from the 10.3.7 disk like this:
Boot your Mac and hold down the "C" key. When the Apple logo appears on the screen let go of the "C" key. And installation window will eventually appear. The window will ask... "Use English as the main language"... now look bottom right of this window, should be a blue button, click that. Now, top left of screen will say: Utilities. Click there and drag down to Disk Utility. When that window opens you will then see the Disk Utility window. On the left side select your Macintosh HD, should be the second drive listed.
Click Repair Permissions. Run it twice. Quit Disk Utility. You'll see the Installer window again... at the top of your screen go to: Utilities>Startup Disk. When the Startup Disk window opens, select your MacintoshHD 10.3.9 and click Restart. That will boot your Mac from your internal drive and system folder.

Install Tiger. That will fix the Font problem. Run Disk Utilties after the installation.

Let me know how it goes!!!!!
Carolyn :-)