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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Preferences Confusion
iggyink - Sep 11, 2005 - 3:38 pm
Hi, I messed up by changing the username for the homefolder in the main window from Macintosh HD. I now have mixed up my preferences and cannot get back to my original settings with all thngs like Safari , Entourage, Firefox and on and on. I havent deleted the favourites but they are missing now from Safari and Firefox also Entourage starts from new with no Email. How do I copy back my settings or preferences and restore back to normal.
Any help appreciated.
Any help appreciated.
Cheryl - Sep 11, 2005 - 9:30 pm
Robert,
There are a few folders that you should not change the names of.
Did you change the name on the folder that has the house icon?
Try naming it back to what it was, restart the computer and see if things go back to normal.
If you have tried that with no luck, what you need to do is create a new user - different from your renamed folder and your log in user name. Make sure you allow this new user to be the administrator.
Now double check your login options. You do not want to have automatic log in checked.
Log out, then log in with the new user.
Now go to the Account pane and click on the old user name, then the - button to delete. Now Click OK to save the user's files on the computer.
The old user folder will be in Hard Drive>Users>Deleted Users.
You then can move the files to your new home folder - deleting the present ones, then replacing with the old ones.
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Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
There are a few folders that you should not change the names of.
Did you change the name on the folder that has the house icon?
Try naming it back to what it was, restart the computer and see if things go back to normal.
If you have tried that with no luck, what you need to do is create a new user - different from your renamed folder and your log in user name. Make sure you allow this new user to be the administrator.
Now double check your login options. You do not want to have automatic log in checked.
Log out, then log in with the new user.
Now go to the Account pane and click on the old user name, then the - button to delete. Now Click OK to save the user's files on the computer.
The old user folder will be in Hard Drive>Users>Deleted Users.
You then can move the files to your new home folder - deleting the present ones, then replacing with the old ones.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
iggyink - Sep 12, 2005 - 7:13 pm
Hi well I finally got back most of my stuff. But yes I did rename the Home Folder. I kind of did what you suggested by figuring this out but I ended up also having to copy back everything from previous user name to another. Silly but at least i kind of got back in however i did lose all my favourites and form and password caches.Favourites I did mostly recover but not password and form caches. Any idea where those could be and how to get them back.
Thanks Cheryl.
Thanks Cheryl.
Cheryl - Sep 12, 2005 - 7:57 pm
Robert,
The password files are kept in Keychain Access. The file you need is in the home folder>Library>Keychain.
You will need to rename the old file to your new user name before moving it.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
The password files are kept in Keychain Access. The file you need is in the home folder>Library>Keychain.
You will need to rename the old file to your new user name before moving it.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
iggyink - Sep 13, 2005 - 10:39 pm
Hi Cheryl, boy do I need help. I cant leave well enough alone. I was trying to get everything now across and under the Home Folder. I had the System folder with the X icon on the folder and it was next to the HD icon which is probably where it should have stayed. But I thought it should all be neatly under the Home Folder so in copying across to Home Folder it looked like the system was hanging and i then saw that the Trash Can even disappeared. So I forced a shut down thinking when I reboot it would be okay again. Now I cannot even Boot. I get a Unix screen of death saying
" panic (cpu0): Unable to find driver for this platform. "PowerMac 4.1"
Is there anything can I do or any clever reboot key combinations that will get me to somewhere besides the Unix screen. I am guessing you will advise me to get the original discs and boot from them. ? I have to get them from my brother as it is his machine originally. If there is another way to recover it would be great. The Mac is a PowerMac G3 and it was upgraded to OSX 10.3 but I hope we still have the original Powermac discs or can we use the OSX discs. Promise this will be the last messup I make.
Regards
Rob
" panic (cpu0): Unable to find driver for this platform. "PowerMac 4.1"
Is there anything can I do or any clever reboot key combinations that will get me to somewhere besides the Unix screen. I am guessing you will advise me to get the original discs and boot from them. ? I have to get them from my brother as it is his machine originally. If there is another way to recover it would be great. The Mac is a PowerMac G3 and it was upgraded to OSX 10.3 but I hope we still have the original Powermac discs or can we use the OSX discs. Promise this will be the last messup I make.
Regards
Rob
Cheryl - Sep 14, 2005 - 6:30 am
Robert,
I must stress that you should not move or rename any folder on your hard drive when using OS X. The System Folder with the X on it is the folder that the computer uses to start up and run. It now does not know where the system folder is because of the move.
Your hard drive should have 4 folders for OS X. Applications, Library, System, Users. These folders can not be moved or renamed. In addition, Library, System, and Users should not be renamed - nor anything inside those folders.
Application folder holds all your programs. This is where all the programs should be installed to.
To fix the machine - you need OS 10.3 (I am assuming this is what you are running) Disk 1. You do not need the original disks that came with the computer. You can use the commercial 10.3 install CDs. Using the full install (not upgrade) disks will get your computer back to working order.
Start up from your Mac OS X Install Disc 1 (insert the CD and immediately hold down the c key when you start up).
Select your language. The Welcome to the Mac OS X Installer window appears.
Click Continue. The Important Information window appears.
After reading or printing the information, click Continue. The Software License Agreement window appears.
After reading or printing the information, click Continue.
An agreement sheet appears. If you agree with the license agreement, click Agree. The Select a Destination window appears.
Click the volume that you wish to install to.
Click Options. The installation options sheet appears.
Select Archive and Install.
Select the volume which already has Mac OS X installed.
You should also select Preserve Users and Network Settings, to preserve network and Home directory settings.
Click OK.
Click Continue to begin the installation.
When done, you will need to restart the computer. Once restarted, go to Applications>Utilities and run Disk Utility to repair permissions.
When that opens click on the second icon in the side bar at the left, then click on Repair Permissions.
Now go to the Home folder and open that folder that you moved. Save the Library folder but delete the system folder.
You are now running OS 10.3 You may want to upgrade to 10.3.9. For this, you need to use the Software Update pane in System Preferences (light switch on the dock). After the first installations with Software Update, restart and repair permissions with Disk Utility, you need to have Software Update run again to double check things.
Once done, you need to check out all your programs to see if they will work properly. In the Library folder that you saved is several folders that need to be compared to the new one on your hard drive. Applications support, fonts, iMovie, and Internet Plugins need to be compared - (new Library folder on the left, old library on the right). Just move what is missing on the left from the old folder by drag and drop.
Once you have moved files (especially fonts), trash the old Library folder. Restart and then use Disk Utility to repair permissions again.
Let me know how you do.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
I must stress that you should not move or rename any folder on your hard drive when using OS X. The System Folder with the X on it is the folder that the computer uses to start up and run. It now does not know where the system folder is because of the move.
Your hard drive should have 4 folders for OS X. Applications, Library, System, Users. These folders can not be moved or renamed. In addition, Library, System, and Users should not be renamed - nor anything inside those folders.
Application folder holds all your programs. This is where all the programs should be installed to.
To fix the machine - you need OS 10.3 (I am assuming this is what you are running) Disk 1. You do not need the original disks that came with the computer. You can use the commercial 10.3 install CDs. Using the full install (not upgrade) disks will get your computer back to working order.
Start up from your Mac OS X Install Disc 1 (insert the CD and immediately hold down the c key when you start up).
Select your language. The Welcome to the Mac OS X Installer window appears.
Click Continue. The Important Information window appears.
After reading or printing the information, click Continue. The Software License Agreement window appears.
After reading or printing the information, click Continue.
An agreement sheet appears. If you agree with the license agreement, click Agree. The Select a Destination window appears.
Click the volume that you wish to install to.
Click Options. The installation options sheet appears.
Select Archive and Install.
Select the volume which already has Mac OS X installed.
You should also select Preserve Users and Network Settings, to preserve network and Home directory settings.
Click OK.
Click Continue to begin the installation.
When done, you will need to restart the computer. Once restarted, go to Applications>Utilities and run Disk Utility to repair permissions.
When that opens click on the second icon in the side bar at the left, then click on Repair Permissions.
Now go to the Home folder and open that folder that you moved. Save the Library folder but delete the system folder.
You are now running OS 10.3 You may want to upgrade to 10.3.9. For this, you need to use the Software Update pane in System Preferences (light switch on the dock). After the first installations with Software Update, restart and repair permissions with Disk Utility, you need to have Software Update run again to double check things.
Once done, you need to check out all your programs to see if they will work properly. In the Library folder that you saved is several folders that need to be compared to the new one on your hard drive. Applications support, fonts, iMovie, and Internet Plugins need to be compared - (new Library folder on the left, old library on the right). Just move what is missing on the left from the old folder by drag and drop.
Once you have moved files (especially fonts), trash the old Library folder. Restart and then use Disk Utility to repair permissions again.
Let me know how you do.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
iggyink - Sep 17, 2005 - 9:03 am
Hi Cheryl, thank you very much for your assisstance. I managed to get back pretty much to where I was. Only one more question. I want to delete the irrelevant library folder nw as you instruct but the Permissions keep stopping me and I try to make them all read write but I still cannot delete with ease.
Your the best cheryl thanks.
Your the best cheryl thanks.
Cheryl - Sep 17, 2005 - 1:22 pm
Robert,
It is nice to hear the good news.
Now you need to go to the utilities folder and start up Disk Utility. Click on the second icon in the side bar at the left, then click on repair permissions.
When done, see if that library folder will go into the trash and then try to empty the trash.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
It is nice to hear the good news.
Now you need to go to the utilities folder and start up Disk Utility. Click on the second icon in the side bar at the left, then click on repair permissions.
When done, see if that library folder will go into the trash and then try to empty the trash.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
iggyink - Sep 17, 2005 - 10:08 pm
Hi Cheryl, well I have run the disk Utility plenty times now and after I try to get of the old library folder I still get one of two errors. One is I do not have sufficient permissions or priveleges and then when i try again the next one is
cannot be completed because the item "Contents" is in use. I have tried to modify the permissions for the folder with Get Info and then trying to make it all read and write but still not helping. I'm learning a lot thats for sure. Cheryl because you are so helpful im going to ask you..
Where do you live and are you single?
cannot be completed because the item "Contents" is in use. I have tried to modify the permissions for the folder with Get Info and then trying to make it all read and write but still not helping. I'm learning a lot thats for sure. Cheryl because you are so helpful im going to ask you..
Where do you live and are you single?
Cheryl - Sep 18, 2005 - 6:52 am
Robert,
First, are you trashing the old library folder in the Previous system folder?
Are you trashing the entire previous system folder or just the library?
Try restarting the computer. Then hold down the option key as you drag it to the trash. Then select Secure Empty trash.
There are a few other tricks to get rid of a persistent file. But --- make sure you are trashing the old library folder.
I live in Chicago, and I am taken (married).
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
First, are you trashing the old library folder in the Previous system folder?
Are you trashing the entire previous system folder or just the library?
Try restarting the computer. Then hold down the option key as you drag it to the trash. Then select Secure Empty trash.
There are a few other tricks to get rid of a persistent file. But --- make sure you are trashing the old library folder.
I live in Chicago, and I am taken (married).
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
iggyink - Sep 22, 2005 - 8:46 pm
Hi Cheryl. Me again. Well it is definitely the old Library file I am trying to trash. If you can help with any other tricks as you wrote about previous I need them as I cannot delete lots of duplicate stuff. I also have a prolem with Safari not being able to establish a secure connection error when I am trying to sign in to iTunes for example and for example signing into Apple or other sites that need a secure connection. I have pasted the error example. I can gain access to these sites however on the Mac using Firefox Browser.
Safari can’t open the page “https://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APP....13.0.0.1.0.0” because it couldn’t establish a secure connection to the server “store.apple.com”.
Cheryl - Sep 22, 2005 - 10:55 pm
Robert,
The Apple web site may be super busy. That does happen occasionally. Especially now with the new iPod model. Try the site again later and let me know if the problem still occurs.
The trick for trashing a stubborn file.
hold the Shift-Option key combination while dragging to the Trash.
If that does not work then:
Open Terminal. It's located in /Applications/Utilities.
Type: chflags -R nouchg
Note: Type one space (not pictured) after nouchg in the line above, so that it ends in "nouchg ". Do not press Return yet.
Now open a window and navigate to where that stubborn folder is.
Drag the folder to the Terminal window.
Note: This automatically enters the pathname for each file. This eliminates the need to individually empty multiple Trash directories, particularly when multiple disks or volumes are present.
Press Return. No special text message will be shown indicating that the command was successful.
Empty the Trash. If just selecting empty trash does not work, select Secure Empty trash.
If the Trash does not empty or if you see a message in Terminal that says "usage: chflags [-R [-H | -L | -P]] flags file..." you most likely did not type the text in step 2 as indicated or did not leave a space. Repeat the steps if this happens.
Note: Make sure you drag the correct folder. This should work.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
The Apple web site may be super busy. That does happen occasionally. Especially now with the new iPod model. Try the site again later and let me know if the problem still occurs.
The trick for trashing a stubborn file.
hold the Shift-Option key combination while dragging to the Trash.
If that does not work then:
Open Terminal. It's located in /Applications/Utilities.
Type: chflags -R nouchg
Note: Type one space (not pictured) after nouchg in the line above, so that it ends in "nouchg ". Do not press Return yet.
Now open a window and navigate to where that stubborn folder is.
Drag the folder to the Terminal window.
Note: This automatically enters the pathname for each file. This eliminates the need to individually empty multiple Trash directories, particularly when multiple disks or volumes are present.
Press Return. No special text message will be shown indicating that the command was successful.
Empty the Trash. If just selecting empty trash does not work, select Secure Empty trash.
If the Trash does not empty or if you see a message in Terminal that says "usage: chflags [-R [-H | -L | -P]] flags file..." you most likely did not type the text in step 2 as indicated or did not leave a space. Repeat the steps if this happens.
Note: Make sure you drag the correct folder. This should work.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
iggyink - Sep 24, 2005 - 12:46 am
Hi cheryl, please give me the best and most failsafe method ou know to get rid of files. It is not just the Apple store that has the problem. I need to restablish my certificates if possible.Also I have followed to the T you instructions for terminal method and even though I do not get any errors that still does not help. I keep getting a "do not have sufficient privelleges error even after all the attempts and even after rerunning Disk Utility and all of that. I have duplicate files all over and I need to know a foolproof way of just deleting what I have to. I have an MCSE in windows so I kind of know what im doing but now im getting frustrated with Macintosh to tell you the truth.
Cheryl - Sep 24, 2005 - 7:16 am
Robert,
It sounds like you may not have your account set to administrator or the computer is just really confused.
I do have another way for you to get rid of those duplicate files. You have to be very careful and make sure you are trashing only those folders/files that are the duplicates and not the original working folders for the OS.
The trick is to enable the Root user. Root user will enable you to manage the computer and get rid of those files.
Enable Root:
Click the Finder icon in the Dock.
From the Go menu, choose Applications.
Open the Utilities folder.
Open the NetInfo Manager utility.
Click the lock in the NetInfo Manager window.
Enter an administrator account name and password, then click OK.
choose Enable Root User from the Security menu.
If you have not previously set a root password, an alert box may appear that says "NetInfo Error," indicating that the password is blank. Click OK.
Enter the root password you wish to use and click Set.
Enter the password again for verification and click Verify.
The root user is now enabled.
Click the lock again to prevent changes.
Log in as Root:
If you have automatic login set, go to System Preferences>Accounts>Login Options and deselect that.
Choose Log Out from the Apple menu.
If you are logging in from a list of usernames with pictures, click Other.
In the Name field, type: root
In the Password field, type the password you defined in the steps above.
No you should be able to drag to the trash those files and folders.
Empty the trash.
Now log out as Root User and log in with your account.
Certificate - Go to the Utilities folder and open Keychain.
Click on Show Keychains at the bottom of the window.
Now click on the pad lock at the top of the window to unlock it.
You will need to type in your admin user name and password.
Click on Certificates.
Locate the Apple Certificate. It may be named iTunes, Apple Store, or Apple Root.
drag the root certificate icon to the desktop.
Double-click the icon of the root certificate.
Choose X509 Anchors from the pop-up menu and click Add.
Enter an administrator password and click OK.
You may need to do this with all your certificates, if they do not have X509 anchors indicated next to them.
Let me know how you do.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
It sounds like you may not have your account set to administrator or the computer is just really confused.
I do have another way for you to get rid of those duplicate files. You have to be very careful and make sure you are trashing only those folders/files that are the duplicates and not the original working folders for the OS.
The trick is to enable the Root user. Root user will enable you to manage the computer and get rid of those files.
Enable Root:
Click the Finder icon in the Dock.
From the Go menu, choose Applications.
Open the Utilities folder.
Open the NetInfo Manager utility.
Click the lock in the NetInfo Manager window.
Enter an administrator account name and password, then click OK.
choose Enable Root User from the Security menu.
If you have not previously set a root password, an alert box may appear that says "NetInfo Error," indicating that the password is blank. Click OK.
Enter the root password you wish to use and click Set.
Enter the password again for verification and click Verify.
The root user is now enabled.
Click the lock again to prevent changes.
Log in as Root:
If you have automatic login set, go to System Preferences>Accounts>Login Options and deselect that.
Choose Log Out from the Apple menu.
If you are logging in from a list of usernames with pictures, click Other.
In the Name field, type: root
In the Password field, type the password you defined in the steps above.
No you should be able to drag to the trash those files and folders.
Empty the trash.
Now log out as Root User and log in with your account.
Certificate - Go to the Utilities folder and open Keychain.
Click on Show Keychains at the bottom of the window.
Now click on the pad lock at the top of the window to unlock it.
You will need to type in your admin user name and password.
Click on Certificates.
Locate the Apple Certificate. It may be named iTunes, Apple Store, or Apple Root.
drag the root certificate icon to the desktop.
Double-click the icon of the root certificate.
Choose X509 Anchors from the pop-up menu and click Add.
Enter an administrator password and click OK.
You may need to do this with all your certificates, if they do not have X509 anchors indicated next to them.
Let me know how you do.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
Cheryl - Sep 26, 2005 - 5:47 pm
Robert,
How are you doing? Is that folder gone?
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
How are you doing? Is that folder gone?
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
iggyink - Sep 26, 2005 - 9:22 pm
Hi Cheryl. That was the stuff I needed. Well done.The root was the problem. The root cause . Ha ha. Thanks. It was excellent to finally be able to delete stuff that was duplicates. I still have some hassles with those keychains , one problem is i cant recall a password for the X509 Anchors. I did manage to import them back in to keychain and ran first aid but when it needs to use them i guess I need to know the password or something. One hassle left is when im trying to sign in through Itunes . I can get to the Itunes Music Store from itunes with no problem but i think it is missing a certifcate of soemthing when i need to sign in to use my account.
Sould I just copy all old keychains back into the keychain utility? also any ideas how to reset the Software update so it works from the Apple Icon shortcut? I can use it from opening system preferences first. Also my Trash can just trashes . It doesnt keep stuff in there.
Thanks for the Root Cause meanwhile.
Rob
Sould I just copy all old keychains back into the keychain utility? also any ideas how to reset the Software update so it works from the Apple Icon shortcut? I can use it from opening system preferences first. Also my Trash can just trashes . It doesnt keep stuff in there.
Thanks for the Root Cause meanwhile.
Rob
Cheryl - Sep 26, 2005 - 9:52 pm
Robert,
Are you still logged in as Root or are you back in your own account?
Since all of the folder moving etc. - have you repaired permissions using Disk Utility in the Applications>Utilities folder?
Once that is done, you should be working smoother.
Also, try this:
Open Keychain Access, then choose Keychain Access > Keychain First Aid.
Enter your user name and password.
Select, Verify and click Start. Any problems found will be displayed.
If there are problems, select Repair and then click Start.
I am hoping that you can do this in 10.3. I can't remember if this option was available.
Keep me posted on how you do.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
Are you still logged in as Root or are you back in your own account?
Since all of the folder moving etc. - have you repaired permissions using Disk Utility in the Applications>Utilities folder?
Once that is done, you should be working smoother.
Also, try this:
Open Keychain Access, then choose Keychain Access > Keychain First Aid.
Enter your user name and password.
Select, Verify and click Start. Any problems found will be displayed.
If there are problems, select Repair and then click Start.
I am hoping that you can do this in 10.3. I can't remember if this option was available.
Keep me posted on how you do.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
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