[jdeck]

I read that a lot of times the answer to problems is to "trash the preferences" Would somebody be kind enough to walk me through this process as I am new to the Mac. I am afraid that I will trash something really important and really mess things up! Thank-you

[Turias]

In your home folder, under Library/Preferences reside all of your preference files. You should be able to delete most of these without a problem. The next time you launch an application whose preferences you deleted, the app should simply rebuild the file. You will then have to set up your preferences for that application again.

[Love Calm Quiet]

Of course SOME apps may have a lot of settings that are a pain to have to re-set.

Back when I had to dial up on AOL... (Sys 9)... directing me to all the diverse places AOL put "preferences" was most of what their tech support had to do when I called in moaning.

Hence the wife gave me my signature:

[bergy]

Don't forget that if you have more than one account, most of the preferences you will need are found under USER/Library/Preferences.

[jdeck]

Thanks to all who replied ---Most helpful!