HT2490 My System preferences always opens in a small window now.

Every time I open up system preferences it always opens in a little window. All lf the text and the icons are all scrunched together. I'm actually an IT person and have been doing this for years but for some reason I can find nothing on the internet addressing this issue. I've looked at the view settings, window view settings nothing seems to address the issue.
The green button is missing to even expand it to full size. It is very annoying and I can't seem to find a resolution.

I can't find anything, not I can't find nothing. Boy, I hate typos. Can anyone tell me how to get the preferences to open up in a full size window as they used to?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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System Preferences always opens at Users & Goups

Hi!
Whenever I open System Preferences it alwasy opens with Users & Groups. How to fix it?
Mavericks 10.9.2

I can't find anything, not I can't find nothing. Boy, I hate typos. Can anyone tell me how to get the preferences to open up in a full size window as they used to?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

HT2490 my system preferences wont open. why?

help me asap

Hi Cody, not much to go on, but try this...
Safe Boot , (holding Shift key down at bootup), use Disk Utility from there to Repair Permissions, test if things work OK in Safe Mode.
Then move these files to the Desktop for now...
/Users/YourUserName/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
/Users/YourUserName/Library/Preferences/com.apple.systempreferences.plist
/Users/YourUserName/Library/Preferences/com.apple.desktop.plist
/Users/YourUserName/Library/Preferences/com.apple.recentitems.plist
Reboot & test.
PS. Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive.

Under APPLE MENU system preferences only opens sporadically, mostly not

Under APPLE MENU system preferences only opens sporadically, mostly not. I booted up with installation disk and ran a check but everything was alright. However, when I tried to click on items using the disk as a startup disk it frequently wouldn't function.

George,
Thanks for asking that question.
I offered this solution based upon similar successful advice which was given to another poster who solved this problem:Long story short I ended up reinstalling Mac OS X using Archive and Install. When I first used the computer following reinstalling Mac OS X, I was able to access the System Preferences by selecting them under the Apple in the menu bar. However, I have now updated my software using Software Update, and now I can't access System Preferences when I click on them under the Apple in the menu. The computer just acts like I never selected System Preferences.
Where have System Preferences gone??? provides another example of Previous Systems folder interfering with System Preferences.
Applications don't work after reinstalling Mac OS X explains a different problem with a Previous Systems folder: Example 1: You downgrade by performing an Archive and Install installation, but do not update to a later version of Mac OS X. The Previous Systems folder contains later versions of applications that may contribute to this issue.If you have proper backups, I recommend trashing the Previous Systems folder as soon as you can determine that the new system is functioning properly. The Previous Systems folders will either take up too much space or contribute to unexplained system problems.
;~)

In System Prefereneces, when I am in Desktop and Screen Saver, I am unable to remove folders. I can click the "-" and the folder appears to be gone, but when I close and then reopen System Preferences, and open Desktop and Screen Saver, the folder reappea

In System Prefereneces, when I am in Desktop and Screen Saver, I am unable to remove folders. I can click the "-" and the folder appears to be gone, but when I close and then reopen System Preferences, and open Desktop and Screen Saver, the folder reappears in the list. I have tried deleting preferences "plist" but I am totally unable to remove the folders.

I've seen one other report like yours, and I think the issue is caused by a bug, but I don't know what triggers it.
Please read this whole message before doing anything.
This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
The purpose of the test is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party software that loads automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, or by corruption of certain system caches.
Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.
Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain iMacs. The next normal boot may also be somewhat slow.
The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin. Test while in safe mode. Same problem? After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

System Preferences always loads in 32-bit because I used CleanMyMac, XSlimmer!

Hi everyone,
I come to you today feeling very foolish. In a stupid attempt to remove unneeded files etc from my new macbook air I downloaded both cleanmymac and xslimmer (monolingual too). However, now I notice that system preferences always loads as 32-bit because in the title bar it says 'System Preferences (32-Bit mode). I cannot get it out of this. When I click cmnd + info the 32-bit box is not checked. I fear one of these programs may have stripped the 64-bit architecture needed! Does anyone have any advice or solutions? Preferebley without re-installing Lion because this laptop is new this week and I haven't yet made a back-up! I know I am an idiot! But any help from you amazing people out there would, as always, be greatly appreciated!
iJomo

Hi Lex,
Thank you very much for your reply. I did what you said and I got the following reponse;
joeair:~ Joe$ sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.Boot 'Kernel Flags' 'arch=x86_64
> sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.Boot 'Kernel Flags' 'arch=x86_64
Password:
2011-10-25 11:51:20.453 defaults[321:707] Unexpected argument Flags arch=x86_64; leaving defaults unchanged.
joeair:~ Joe$
Needless to say, System Preferences is still 32-bit mode.
Thanks for trying, any idea where to go from here?
iJomo

I think i put system preferences in my trash by accident and now it says i cant open it because it may be dameged or incomplete what do i do??? HELP please?

i think i put system preferences in my trash by accident and now it says i cant open it because it may be dameged or incomplete what do i do??? HELP please?

Did you retrieve it from the trash, or are you trying to open it while in the trash?
If it's become corrupted you'll need to reinstall the OS to be sure of repairing it properly. If you're on 10.6 that won't affect your accounts and data, but as you don't mention what OS you have we can't give specific advise on the install.

My system preferences wont open anymore, whats up

my system preferences wont open anymore, whats up

Hi xronjonesx,
To make sure that we are on the same page, you cannot open System Preferences. Have you tried opening it from the Apple Drop down menu? If you are still unsuccessful, then the next step would be to reinstall OS X Snow Leopard as that app is part of the operating system and the reinstallation with all the software updates afterwards will resolve the issue.
Mac OS X 10.6: Reinstalling Mac OS X
https://support.apple.com/kb/PH6606
Take it easy,
-Norm G.

HT1338 system preference not open so how guide to sample?

My mac book pro in system preference not open so how guide to sample?

Hello,
First, Safe Boot , (holding Shift key down at bootup), use Disk Utility from there to Repair Permissions, test if things work OK in Safe Mode.
Then move these files to the Desktop for now...
/Users/YourUserName/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
/Users/YourUserName/Library/Preferences/com.apple.systempreferences.plist
/Users/YourUserName/Library/Preferences/com.apple.desktop.plist
/Users/YourUserName/Library/Preferences/com.apple.recentitems.plist
Reboot & test.
PS. Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive.

System Preferences pane opens off-screen

What can I do to have the system preferences panel open in the center of the screen instead of off the screen?
Whether I open it by Apple->System Preferences or open any other module within System Preferences (such as Network Preferences) it opens in the lower left-hand corner with 80% of the window off the screen. Then I have to drag it back to the center to use it.
I used to have dual-monitors, but now only use the laptop screen.

The position you have the System Prefs on your screen when you close it should be stored in the plist file.
/Users/yourname/Library/Preferences/com.apple.systempreferences.plist
Thus, if you trash the plist it really ought to be created with the default position, but even that shouldn't actually be necessary: when you move System Prefs window to where you want and close it the new position should be recorded in the plist and used next time you open it.
The only thing I can think of is perhaps something is funky in the way your account is considering the dispaly. Launch the Displays preferences and try clicking the "Gather Windows" button and the "Detect Displays" button, check that Rotate is Standard, and also check the Arrangement tab to make sure it shows one display with the menu bar.
Francine
Francine
Schwieder

Adobe 9 always opens in a Maximized window

Hi
When opening a link in Internet Explorer 6 that opens a pdf, the pdf file opens in a maximized window. When clicking on a pdf file on the computer it will always open in a maximized window.
I have gone into the properties for Adobe and made sure that it is run in a Normal Window.
I have gone into edit > preferences and have not found any options where you can select whether to open in maximized window.
Is there a way to specifiy whether to open the files in a maximized window or, as in this case, to open the window in normal/restore down view.
Thank you
Charlotte

Charlotte,
I'm having the same problem using IE 8.
Did you ever get a resolution for this? I see no one ever responded to your post.
Thanks!
Bill

Planning application url is always opened in the same window?

hi all,
we hava a problem about sts's planning application url.
no matter what url is entered,all the planning application url is always opened in the same window.and the old opened url is covered by the new url.
Is there any solution about this? Can this url be opened in seprate window?
Thank you!
Best Regards,
ma

Hello
I would like to know one thing before answring the question how did you link with an url with the label based menu.
Did you used the opendocument syntax or what did you used.
Another method is why donf you use the URL button and map according to your requirement. place the url button on the menu item and change the properties to tranperancy to 0%.
Thanks
Santhosh V
Edited by: Santhosh Vudarla on Nov 19, 2010 12:05 PM

System preferences is stuck in the iCloud window

My system preferences is stuck in the iCloud window, I'm unable to close the window or click on any of the option in the window..

thanks very much.......

TS3408 When I open safari from the dock it opens as a small window at the top of the screen that is totally white and does not have a tool bar or exit options. All I can do is force quit to exit. What do I do?

When I open safari from the dock it opens as a small window at the top of the screen that is totally white and does not have a tool bar or exit options. All I can do is force quit to exit. What do I do?

With Safari open, press Command , (comma) to open Safari Preferences then select the Extensions tab.
Turn that off, quit (or force quit) Safari then relaunch to test.

CS5.1 opens in a small window from LR4.1RC

When I send an image from LR4.1RC to CS5.1 (64bit), CS5 opens in a small window instead of full screen. If I open CS5 directly from the desktop, it does open full screen. I am running Vista. Is this a bug, or something with my OS? Thanks.

I assume that when PS opens from LR it is just the Restore Down size (the button you have when a window has been Maximized), and that you are able to Maximize the window and everything is fine, that this is just a nuisance. I also assume that when you say opening Photoshop alone it comes up in full screen, you just mean Maximized.
With that in mind, this shouldn't be an LR or PS bug, because I haven't heard of anybody else running into similar behavior. However, there could be some sort of interference on your system.
The first thing I would suggest is to create a new user account and test there. This will determine if some setting or other is the root of this behavior.

HT2490 My System preferences always opens in a small window now.

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