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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Mac Mail & System Preference Won't Open

puck101 - Feb 19, 2008 - 11:31 pm

I searched but I didn't find this exact dilemma.

Where to begin. Over the weekend I installed VLC which worked fine for one day. After that no video.

In the interum, I upgraded to 4.1.1 and QT 7.4 Didn't help the VLC problem but my system was working fine.

So last night, upon the advise of some online pros, I installed Pacifist and overrode QT 7.4 with 7.3. Again it didn't help the VLC problem but otherwise, the only problem I noticed was Camino kept crashing. (I do notice the "Pacifist" option Open Apple Install Discs is greyed out.)

TODAY
I boot up and I can't access Mac Mail or System Preferences. Plus the icons on the top right finder menu are gone. I did locate the latter in my HD and all the icons are there, but when I try to launch them individually, it will launch for about 2-3 seconds (I can see all the data) then closes.

I'm far from an expert so if anyone has any thoughts, remember I'm in baby steps. Thanks
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RAMPCHECK - Feb 20, 2008 - 9:48 am

Ellen,

sorry to hear about your mess, The best thing to do in this situation is to archive and install the operating system. You have the option of saving the user data and the network settings (your user data will not be effected).

QuickTime is a major framework of the system (a building block), it cannot be simply replaced with a older version. Once you install a newer version of QT, it changes several thousand files in the OS. Overriding the installer to put in an over copy changes just a handful of these needed files, everything else is looking for the newer copy.

This may or may not be the only thing you have to do to get everything back up and running but it is where you start.

Take care

puck101 - Feb 20, 2008 - 3:51 pm

Thank you so much for your prompt reply.

Are you say I do not need to back-up any further onto cds? I don't have access to any other method of backup. Can this all be done through the original instalation discs? Told you I was a meophite.

Also I upgraded to 4.1.1 a few days go, from 3.9, through "Update". But my installation disk is 3.9. Will this effect anything?

Thanks again.

Ellen

RAMPCHECK - Feb 20, 2008 - 4:56 pm

Ellen,

I would suggest a backup just to be on the safe side but the archive and install will not (under normal circumstances) effect anything.

After doing the archive and install, run the software updates to get everything back up todate. this will update the files that were effected by the down grade.

as a note:
VLC player is seperate and should not be effected one way or the other. Mail still may not open after this but we cant try to fix it until the system has been put back together, just make sure since you are backing up to take your time and get everything.

puck101 - Feb 21, 2008 - 2:35 pm

I was on route to follow your advise when to my shock it now seems my computer does not recognize CDs. The icon doesn't
appear on the screen and a message said the computer couldn't read the
disc. I've used these discs before. Now when I tried the Tiger
install disc, it just ejects again and again,. And no icon
appears.

So I can neither back-up nor use the install disc. I didn't
know if it's a drive problem ,or a screwed-up-system problem, due to
the QT over-write.

However it did boot with the Tiger installer disc. Which then
proceeded to eject each time I reinserted it. OTOH, I then inserted
the other disc, which doesn't eject but still gives the same message.
However it does appear in the left window of "disc utility," under the
HD icons. But I can't actually locate it anywhere, so I can't restore/
fix it. And it says, for read only.

Maybe I should call upon my geek, who can probably fix it fast, tho I really wanted to solve this on my own with your wonderful assistance.

Anyway thanks.

Ellen

RAMPCHECK - Feb 21, 2008 - 8:19 pm

Ellen,

It might be time to seek your "geek" that can put their hands on the computer, the instructions from here will get complex and will be hard to follow.


good luck

puck101 - Feb 21, 2008 - 8:25 pm

Thanks so much for your promt attention and info. I learned a few things (overriding QT) and hopefully I'll be able to pass some of this along, at least in a cautionary way.

Thanks again... I'm learning.

Ellen

RAMPCHECK - Feb 21, 2008 - 8:29 pm

no worries,

I'm happy to help and wish you the best...

If I can be of no further assistance I'll close the ticket..


Take care

puck101 - Feb 21, 2008 - 9:01 pm

Yeah I suppose... unless my geek, who I think recently fell in love, doesn't come through. ; )

Thanks, Ellen

RAMPCHECK - Feb 21, 2008 - 9:05 pm

If he cannot help you, let me know and we can see about something other then email back and forth..