I'd sure like to have iCal back. Any suggestions?

Question

Earlier this week a number of threads were posted by those of us whose iCal suddenly began crashing a few seconds after it was launched. I haven't read any posts by anyone who seems to have solved the problem. I'm still hoping someone might have some suggestions.
I'm using a G4 with OS 10.4.11 to create my calendars and syncing an iTouch using MobleMe. The MM and iTouch calendars are intact. I was able to keep iCal open long enough to create a recent backup.
I'd like to try these instructions from MadisonP which I've read in answer to several other questions about restoring iCal:
Remove the following to the trash and restart your computer:
Home > Library > Caches
Home > Library > Calendars > Calendar Cache, Cache, Cache 1, 2, 3, etc. (Do not remove Sync Cache or Theme Cache)
Home > Library > Preferences > com.apple.ical (There may be more than one of these. Remove them all.)
But I have some questions:
Do I remove the entire "Caches" folder from my "Library" folder? Or should only the "com.apple.iCal" folder be deleted? There are dozens of other folders in the Caches folder from various applications.
My Home > Library > Calendars folder is empty--no Calendar Cache, Cache, or Cache 1,2,3. . . Should there be something there to remove?
I all else fails, I'd like to delete iCal and reinstall it, then use MM or my backup to restore it. But I'm not sure how to reinstall just that application. Any help with that would be appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

But I have some questions:
Do I remove the entire "Caches" folder from my "Library" folder? Or should only the "com.apple.iCal" folder be deleted? There are dozens of other folders in the Caches folder from various applications.
__The Caches folder is a dumping ground for temporary files used by pretty much every program on the computer. When you remove that folder and then restart your computer that folder is re-generated automatically. As you launch each program they will generate a new cache file for their use. There is no harm done by removing the entire caches folder. If you like you can selectively remove the caches pertaining to iCal, HOWEVER, there may be caches within the Caches folder not labeled "iCal" that still are used by iCal. I pull the whole folder to save guess work as it is non-distructive. That said don't go pulling the Caches for fun. They allow the various programs on the computer to run faster. After pulling Caches some programs will launch more slowly the first time. They will be back to normal on subsequent launches. Only pull the Caches folder when you are having issues...like now
My Home > Library > Calendars folder is empty--no Calendar Cache, Cache, or Cache 1,2,3. . . Should there be something there to remove?
Your running 10.4...you shouldn't have a Home > Library > Calendars folder at all as a matter of fact. In 10.4 and earlier the iCal database was stored in Home > Library > ApplicationSupport > iCal.
Not sure where that "Calendar" folder came from but it is not part of iCal if you are indeed running 10.4.11.
Check out Home > Library > ApplicationSupport > iCal. I don't recall if there was a cache file in iCal under 10.4. If there is one here you can remove it. Otherwise don't remove anything from this directory.
I all else fails, I'd like to delete iCal and reinstall it, then use MM or my backup to restore it. But I'm not sure how to reinstall just that application. Any help with that would be appreciated. Thanks.
Before going through the trouble of reinstalling the program make sure it is actually the program at fault. If you login as a new user on the computer, does iCal work? If so then the iCal program is fine. There is something in your user account that is causing iCal to malfunction.
Let me know if following those steps you mentioned takes care of it...or if not
Cheers.