[jszrules]

Things were running normally (on Tiger 10.4.1) until I downloaded the lastest version of iClock. The installation required me to restart the computer. Before I did, I removed the old version of iClock from System Prefs-->Accounts-->Login Items and added the new version in its place. I then clicked restart.

When the computer rebooted, everything seemed fine until I noticed that the files and folders I had on my desktop never appeared...the desktop was completely blank, but my desktop background was still there. I then also realized I was unable to actually click on the desktop. Every time I try, nothing happens. Because installing iClock was the last thing I did before the restart, I removed it from the Menu Bar and from Login Items. I then ran Cocktail to repair permissions, etc. just in case and let the computer restart again.

While restarting, the computer seemed to spend a frightening amount of time on the light blue screen before the Login screen and darker blue background appeared (like 5 minutes). I am sincerely hoping this delay was just due to running Cocktail and that there is nothing seriously wrong with my computer.

Anyway, my computer finally made it to the Login screen...I logged in...iClock no longer appeared in the Menu Bar, as expected, but these Desktop problems still persist: completely blank and unable to click, drag, etc.

In my Home->Desktop folder, all of the files that should be there ARE still there and I AM able to open them. I am also still able to click on Finder in the Dock if I need access to the Finder. All other apps are running normally, as well. So it just seems to be a problem with the actual desktop.

What do I do?! Thanks a lot.

[Big Mac]

Try uninstalling what you installed I suppose.

[jszrules]

Originally Posted by Big Mac

Try uninstalling what you installed I suppose.

I might as well, but what on Earth does iClock have to do with the Desktop?! It doesn't make sense that installing iClock would make the desktop inaccessible and its items disappear.

[kick52]

im not sure if this is in os x, i have os 9 but anyway, rebuild the desktop file? you have to hold down option and the apple sign before finder appears.

[Appleman]

Originally Posted by kick52

im not sure if this is in os x, i have os 9 but anyway, rebuild the desktop file? you have to hold down option and the apple sign before finder appears.

Hm, not really a Mac OS X answer...

[PurpleGiant]

jsz: I had this exact issue years ago on Jaguar. Ever so frustrating.

No idea what caused it. I tried all manner of suggestions from the board, all of which did not work. Other users on the machine didn't have the problem.

From memory, there was a preference file causing the issue. By removing *all* my preferences from its folder, and then only replacing the essential ones I could carry on as normal. Good luck.

[jszrules]

Originally Posted by PurpleGiant

jsz: I had this exact issue years ago on Jaguar. Ever so frustrating.

No idea what caused it. I tried all manner of suggestions from the board, all of which did not work. Other users on the machine didn't have the problem.

From memory, there was a preference file causing the issue. By removing *all* my preferences from its folder, and then only replacing the essential ones I could carry on as normal. Good luck.

Thanks PurpleGiant, it's good to know there is a solution.

Of course, I don't want to have to delete all my preference files, because I would like to avoid starting from scratch. Do you remember anything about the preference file that might help me? If it was in /Library/Preferences or ~/Library/Preferences? Perhaps the following list will help stimulate your memory...Here is this list of my files that, according to Finder, have been modified since the "incident" started early this morning:

in /Library/Preferences:

com.apple.loginwindow.plist
com.apple.BezelServices.plist
/SystemConfiguration:
NetworkInterfaces.plist
autodiskmount.plist
com.apple.PowerManagement.plist
preferences.plist
preferences.plist.system_default
com.apple.nat.plist
com.apple.audio.DeviceSettings.plist

You are correct that this problem is not affecting other users, so my guess is that it is not in the root's Library folder, but my Home's library folder...

in ~/Library/Preferences:

com.apple.systemuiserver.plist
com.apple.recentitems.plist
com.apple.systempreferences.plist
com.apple.spotlight.plist
com.apple.Safari.plist
com.apple.finder.plist
com.apple.desktop.plist
/ByHost
com.apple.screensaver.000393879730.plist
OfficeSync Prefs
/Microsoft (I doubt its contents are causing this problem...but I could be wrong...)
com.apple.internetconfig.plist
/AppleWorks (I doubt its contents are causing this problem...but I could be wrong...)
com.ks.cocktail.plist
com.apple.dock.plist
com.apple.MenuBarClock.plist
loginwindow.plist
com.apple.installer.plist
com.apple.iTunes.plist
com.apple.TextEdit.plist
com.apple.universalaccess.plist
QuickTime Preferences

Thanks again for anyone's help.

[NeilCharter]

Try backing up all those files and then remove them from the library. Restart and see what happens. I would imagine most of the important files are rewritten. You'll lose your preferences of course but then you can replace the file one by one to find the culprit

[jszrules]

I found this on the Apple forums: http://discussions.info.apple.com/we...Fc.9@.68b0ca72

But just my luck, when I search for that string: "<key>CreateDesktop</key>", nothing shows up. The string "false" is also not showing up in a Find in TextEdit.

My com.apple.finder.plist file does not seem to be organized into lines like the above link suggests. Here is the text surrounding the only occurrance of "CreateDesktop" in the file (it is not really in all-caps, I just did that so you can more easily find the string):

olders_FileViewer.LastWindowLocation_#AppleNavS ervices:GetFile:0osition_$AppleNavServices:Choo seObject:0:Size_ComputerOptions_AnimateWindowZ oomYZoomRects\TrashOptions]CREATEDESKTOP_FXSpecificSearchPlaces_1AppleNavS ervices:ChooseFolder:0:HomeDirectoryPath_ EmptyTrashProgressWindowLocation_(AppleNavService s:ChooseFolder:0osition_FXMaximumLabelLines[WindowState_3AppleNavServices:Choo

[smeger]

The format of plist files has changed to binary in Tiger, which makes them much more difficult to edit in TextEdit, unfortunately. That's why you see what appears to be garbage when you try to edit it.

You can accomplish the same thing by entering the following command in /Applications/Utilities/Terminal:
defaults delete com.apple.finder CreateDesktop

[TheSpaz]

If you download an App called "TinkerTool" you can turn the Desktop "on" or "off". You should use TinkerTool if you don't want to have to deal with the Terminal or plist files.

Good luck to you!

[jszrules]

Originally Posted by smeger

The format of plist files has changed to binary in Tiger, which makes them much more difficult to edit in TextEdit, unfortunately. That's why you see what appears to be garbage when you try to edit it.

You can accomplish the same thing by entering the following command in /Applications/Utilities/Terminal:
defaults delete com.apple.finder CreateDesktop

Yep. Right before I saw your reply, I opened the file in Property List Editor, and simply changed the CreateDesktop option from 'No' to 'Yes'. I restarted and the problem is gone. Just like PurpleGiant, I have no idea why on Earth this preference had switched to 'No' in the first place.

Unfortunately, the other problem I mentioned in my first post still exists. When I restarted the computer, it spent SEVEN MINUTES on that light blue screen (after the grey Apple power-on screen, which lasted the normal amount of time) before the login window popped up. This didn't happen when I restarted to install iClock. But it did happen after I repaired permissions. And it happened just now after I changed the com.apple.finder.plist file and restarted.

During this light blue screen's seven minutes marathon, I hear none of the normal churning and grinding noises that you usually hear during power-on...just the fan. Once the login screen appears, things are back to normal.

Anyone know what's going on here? Thanks again for all your replies.

[Chuckit]

Try holding in apple-V when you start up. That will make it actually print what it's doing to the screen. If it's hanging on something, you should be able to see it there.

[jszrules]

Originally Posted by Chuckit

Try holding in apple-V when you start up. That will make it actually print what it's doing to the screen. If it's hanging on something, you should be able to see it there.

Thanks. When should I start holding Cmd-V and when should I stop?

[jmiddel]

"When should I start holding Cmd-V and when should I stop?
"

Hold the keys as you are starting up, ie before you start, and until a black screen with white print appears.

[jszrules]

Will do. I'm not going to restart right now, but in a few days when I have to shut down in order to move my computer, I will post again and let you know what happens. Thanks for all the help so far...definitely been helpful.

[PurpleGiant]

jszrules:

The problem was only isolated to my own user account (creating new accounts showed no problem). Therefore I only bothered with files in ~/Library/Preferences/

I did not delete any files, simply moved them all to a new folder and replaced the prefs of apps that would take a while to setup as I pleased. I was so happy to have the problem fixed I didn't mind setting up prefs in a few apps anyway.