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Minifig · Jan 24, 2007, 06:15 PM

Hello, I am new to Macs (just got my Mac Book Pro on Tuesday), and I've noticed that sometimes when I turn it on, the system preferences that I've changed from the last use (such as the background picture, dock position/size, etc.) do not seem to be remembered. They are back to the 'default' options.

I have also noticed when this happens my iMovie icon goes missing from the dock and is replaced by a question mark.

I've figured out how to get it back, but that's not really the point. I'd like to figure out how to prevent this from happening.

So far, every time I've shut off my Mac, I've gone to apple > Shut down.

It seems even more peculiar to me that this only happens on some startups of the machine, and not all!

Anywho, as a Noob, please accept my apologies if this is posted in an inappropriate section, or if the question itself is too noob-y, and thanks in advance for your help

jmiddel · Jan 24, 2007, 07:00 PM

Since you just got the MBP you probably don't have that much data on it, back what you have up and erase the drive and reinstall the system. Factory installed systems are occasionally problematic, I always reinstall the OS on a new machine. (To do this insert the system disk, reboot holding down the C key and use disk utility to erase the disk, then re-install following onscreen instructions).

fongyuen · Jan 30, 2007, 11:24 AM

this happens to my wife's mb too. for some reason, the 2 finger on touchpad for right click loses function every so often and i have to go back into the pref to uncheck it and then check it again. this doesn't happen on my mbp tho. any suggestions?

kick52 · Jan 30, 2007, 11:32 AM

it sounds like some data corruption or something..

boot of the install dvds, and run disk util. and see if it finds anything. also check your S.M.A.R.T. status

JIMY · Jan 30, 2007, 11:46 AM

Same thing happened to our Imac G5 at the office.. Apple was no help. They ran us through the "normal" procedure.. check the library/user home file, permisions, disk check yada yada. Funny thing is.. only some of the system and application preferences disappeared.. I've even tested the Ram for errors...nothin. The even bigger question is HOW or WHY would this happen during typical use. Bizarre random loss of preferences. I'm praying it doesn't happen again.

Minifig · Jan 30, 2007, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by jmiddel

Since you just got the MBP you probably don't have that much data on it, back what you have up and erase the drive and reinstall the system. Factory installed systems are occasionally problematic, I always reinstall the OS on a new machine. (To do this insert the system disk, reboot holding down the C key and use disk utility to erase the disk, then re-install following onscreen instructions).

Thanks. I tried this and it has seemed to have worked.

I noticed that I kept renaming my account, and it seemed to have created new account folders for them, and maybe that was it.
Not sure, but thanks

Minifig · Jan 30, 2007, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by fongyuen

this happens to my wife's mb too. for some reason, the 2 finger on touchpad for right click loses function every so often and i have to go back into the pref to uncheck it and then check it again. this doesn't happen on my mbp tho. any suggestions?

Hrrm. That is odd. All I did was reinstall the OS and everything seems to be ok.... so far anyway.

I'm not sure why it happened though - or really how I fixed it. I hate that - I wish I could determine the exact cause.

Is it just happening for the touch pad preferences? Mine was forgetting only a few out of all of the preferences that I could figure out.

I suppose you could try reinstalling if it's not too much trouble to back up - but I don't even know if that would fix it.

sorry!

wingdo · Jan 30, 2007, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by Minifig

Thanks. I tried this and it has seemed to have worked.

I noticed that I kept renaming my account, and it seemed to have created new account folders for them, and maybe that was it.
Not sure, but thanks

Do not rename your accounts Unix name (i.e the short name), nothing will ever work right unless done just right. There are a couple threads here and at OSX Hints on the proper way to change the short name, but I've never decided to give it a go.