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Dark Goob · Oct 25, 2003, 02:42 AM

G4 PowerBook 550 w/512 megs of RAM. Installed Panther as an update to my Jaguar system. Now, upon boot, Finder crashes and loops trying to start up but failing each time. Once, I got it to boot up, but only Internet Explorer and Eudora work. Safari, others crash, including System Preferences. However, logging out and then logging in as Root, then everything works just fine. ?!?!

But now I'm stuck... Finder won't launch, but Dock still works, and Explorer launches. It's a sad day when MS Internet Explorer works on your Mac, but the Finder doesn't!

Oh and my build said 7B85. Some guy was saying he got a 7B89? So what's going on, why are there two different builds? Or is someone lying?

-=DG=-

Dark Goob · Oct 25, 2003, 02:46 AM

By the way: I tried reinstalling the system over itself, which is when I was able to actually get to the Finder for once. I figure since logging in as Root works fine, then it must be some kind of corruption or incompatibility in my User file somewhere... but where? Which preference file is the problem? Why would it affect Safari and Finder but not MS Explorer or Eurdora? This is really frickin' weird, folks 0.o

-=DG=-

ae86_16v · Oct 25, 2003, 02:47 AM

I got 7B85. My Safari crashes, and I can't get LimeWire to work.

11011001 · Oct 25, 2003, 02:49 AM

Did you try repairing permissions?

I mean, if root works, then perhaps it's a permission issue?

Dark Goob · Oct 25, 2003, 03:00 AM

OK... I'll try the repairing of permissions. Let you know how it goes.

-=DG=-

amontague · Oct 25, 2003, 04:03 AM

Set up a new user account. See if that works ok. If it works, you will know that the problem is with some of your user preferences.

If it is a problem with your preferences, you should back up and then delete your Library folder (the one in your home folder). Start a fresh Library folder.

Hopefully you will find your system works fine. You can then add the items back in from your original Library folder until you find the file that causes your problems.

Andrew

Xeo · Oct 25, 2003, 05:16 AM

With most of the problems people post, they also include the fact that they upgraded their existing system. I don't even know why Apple allows upgrading since it seems to cause more problems than it would solve. I recommend an Archive and Install. You get the best of both worlds: A clean system, and keep your users set up.

fmalloy · Oct 25, 2003, 06:28 AM

Had the looping Finder problem. It's something in the Startup Items (I had about 8 or 9 startup items).

Reboot holding down Shift. You should see "Safe Mode" before you get to the login screen. After you login, the Finder should be OK. Go immediately to System Preferences, Accounts, Startup Items. Remove all of them from the list (remove using the "-" button, don't just uncheck the Hide box)

This fixed it for me.

sanity assassin · Oct 25, 2003, 06:35 AM

Originally posted by Xeo:
With most of the problems people post, they also include the fact that they upgraded their existing system. I don't even know why Apple allows upgrading since it seems to cause more problems than it would solve. I recommend an Archive and Install. You get the best of both worlds: A clean system, and keep your users set up.

I'd say that would be the better option for those not wanting to re-install everything. I tried both, A&I, and a clean install, the A&I one would let programs, that woldn't run in a clean install, work.

010111 · Oct 25, 2003, 07:12 AM

i've done about 12 machines now ... the finder crash loop crash issue is caused by having a 1.x version of Silk as far as i can tell.

try to launch system prefs (or any other app really) ... and then you can get to your apple menu to do a nice reboot... then boot holding shift and trash that pref pane. also make sure you have the newest Application Enhancer if you have that pref pane installed as well.

also the new(er) non-free ASM panel causes a similar problem. A&I is probably the average home users best bet for a simple install. me with 12 down -> 28 to go am just pre-trashing stuff i have learned is bad... then upgrade installing.

stuffit 8 bites it every time and needs to be reinstalled though. grr.

Dark Goob · Oct 25, 2003, 10:57 PM

Thanks for all the tips. Somone said I should have done "archive and install" -- well I didn't have the HD space to do that. I could barely clear enuf room for the upgrade.

Besides, I like breaking my machine and then fixing it because I learn how to troubleshoot that way -- a skill that has had its rewards for me. I also wanted to see how good Apple's upgrading thing really was. Apparently, not that good :-)

Anyway, I don't understand what is bringing it to its knees. I'm going to restart some more and try to figure it out. It's not Silk.

-=DG=-

RooneyX · Oct 25, 2003, 11:04 PM

Rarely am I this happy. Every app works, my install was a plain upgrade and I don't have a problem. The only bugs I've seen are tiny and irrelevant GUI stuff.

diamondsw · Oct 25, 2003, 11:08 PM

Remove Default Folder if you have it. Also, I strongly recommend archive and installs, not upgrades. If you want to upgrade, make a backup first.

However, Apple really does need to make sure things work better when upgrading. I'm by and large *very* happy with OS X, but OS 9 you never had to worry about an upgrade killing your system utterly. If something went awry, you disabled extensions and started finding the conflict.

sushiism · Oct 25, 2003, 11:45 PM

how much space do you need for archive and install?

Dark Goob · Oct 26, 2003, 12:13 AM

Yep, it was Default Folder X. :-) Thanks man. Thing works great now!!! I love Panther. Glad I upgraded too, because otherwise it would have been a set-back for how I have everything set up.

-=DG=-

cpac · Oct 26, 2003, 12:20 AM

Originally posted by Dark Goob:
Thanks for all the tips. Somone said I should have done "archive and install" -- well I didn't have the HD space to do that. I could barely clear enuf room for the upgrade.

If you're that low on hard disk space, the upgrade might not have gone very well.... You might have many corrupt files because of fragmentation, etc.

I highly recommend doing a completely clean install...

[seems you've found the problem, so no worries - guess Apple's upgrade option wasn't so bad afterall eh?]

Dark Goob · Oct 26, 2003, 04:23 AM

Removing Default Folder did the trick. Thanks!

PreferencePanes = a place to check for problems. Take everything out of there and see if it helps.

-=DG=-

chris v · Oct 26, 2003, 05:32 AM

Default Folder 1.9.1 is 10.3 compatible. They have a big warning on their front page to disable 1.8 & older before installing OS 10.3

Just so you know, if you're addicted to this program like me, all is not lost.

CV

Love Calm Quiet · Oct 26, 2003, 05:35 AM

Sounds like a good idea to remove Pref Panes before an OS upgrade. Does one just drag them to trash? I wouldn't mind reinstalling a couple.

Anybody notice conflicts with:
1) Windowshade?
2) FruitMenu?
3) eSuite?