Accounts pane of Sys Prefs empty?

Just accessed the accounts pref pane for the first time in over a year and now its empty. I'm logged in to the admin account, but it looks like I don't have any privs.
Could this have happened when I upgraded to Tiger?
Any ideas how to get access to accounts without a reinstall of the OS?

Hi,
Try deleting the preference file and cache files used by System Preferences:
/Users/YourUsername/Library/Caches/System Preferences/
/Users/YourUsername/Library/Caches/com.apple.preferencepanes.cache
/Users/YourUsername/Library/Caches/com.apple.preferencepanes.searchindexcache
/Users/YourUsername/Library/Preferences/com.apple.systempreferences.plist
Sometimes they can become 'confused' causing similar symptoms to what you've observed.

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In 10.5.2, for example, there is a standard "guest" account which automatically is deleted after the user logged in as Guest logs out.
Perhaps in 10.4.11 this didn't exist? I'm sure there was some standard Guest account though when I first installed the OS.
Hello - any wisdom here on this???

Get Sharepoints...
http://www.hornware.com/sharepoints/
You can make your own Guest Account/Group/Share/whatever.

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This problem is affecting one user account only. The others are fine.
I can add other folders, but they don't persist after I close System Preferences. By clicking the 'minus' button [-], I can remove the folder I've added and it remains properly removed. Since I can add only one folder, I can't really alter the list in any useful way and so the plus and minus buttons become almost pointless; there may as well be just a simple Open dialog for choosing the one non-Apple folder of images I'd like to use (except that, as I said, the pane does behave as expected in other user accounts).
The screenshot above shows the Desktop pane's folder list right after I've added two folders, 'fluff images, misc.' and 'night earth'. Since 'night earth' is selected, that folder will remain in the list after I close Sys Prefs, but the other folder will not:
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repair permissions (several times)
delete:
com.apple.desktop.plist
com.apple.sidebarlists.plist
com.apple.systempreferences.plist
reset PRAM

This annoyance is more common and perplexing than I thought:
https://discussions.apple.com/message/2592572#2592572
https://discussions.apple.com/message/19854308#19854308
https://discussions.apple.com/message/21746716#21746716%2321746716

User accounts have disappeared from the Sys prefs and log-in screen!

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Mac OS X (10.4.3) 700mHz G4 iMac (Flat panel)

When upgrading to 10.4 from 10.3, I used Carbon Copy Cloner to create a bootable copy of my hard disk to an external (La Cie) drive.
Did you boot into the clone to ensure that it was working just like the original? If so, can you still do that? If so, I'd boot into the clone, use Disk Utility to erase and reformat the internal HD. Then, clone the clone to the original and install Tiger on top of it using the upgrade earlier version option. Then, you won't have to change or migrate anything. IMHO, it's the best way to do it.

Help. I have a Google Hangout in 40mins and my sound seems to have vanished. I went to Sys Prefs and it came up with Digital Out....and the Internal Speakers option is no longer there. How do I reboot, or fix this please?

help. I have a Google Hangout in 40mins and my sound seems to have vanished. I went to Sys Prefs and it came up with Digital Out....and the Internal Speakers option is no longer there. How do I reboot, or fix this please?

There are many possible causes for this issue. Take each of the following steps that you haven't already tried. Some may not apply to your model. Back up all data before making any changes.
1. Start with the steps recommended in this support article. Don't skip any of the steps. It's the starting point for further efforts to solve the problem.
2. Make sure you have a fully up-to-date installation of OS X.
3. If you've installed an application called "Memory Clean" or any other third-party software that is supposed to "clean" or "purge" memory automatically, remove it according to the developer's instructions and restart. You should do that even if the software is not causing the problem, because it's useless.
4. Other third-party software that has been reported to interfere with sound output includes "Boom" and "Samsung Kies." If applicable, uninstall according to the developer's instructions (not by dragging something to the Trash.)
5. If an AirPlay device is selected for sound output from iTunes (or from other applications via third-party software such as "Airfoil"), deselect it.
6. Launch the application "Audio MIDI Setup" by entering the first few letters of its name in a Spotlight search and selecting it in the results (it should be at the top.) Select Built-in Output from the list on the left. If the Mute boxes are checked, uncheck them.
7. If a red light is visible in the audio-out port when sound should be playing, the internal switch is stuck in the position for digital output. You may be able to free it by inserting and removing a mini-stereo jack of the proper size. If not, the machine needs to be serviced. Inserting any kind of tool in the port may cause damage that won't be covered by the warranty.
If there's no red light, the switch may still be stuck in the headphone position. Try to free it the same way.
8. Disconnect all wired peripherals except keyboard and mouse, if applicable. If more than one display is connected, disconnect all extra ones. Restart and test.
9. If you have a MacBook Air, turn off Bluetooth and restart.
10. Start up in safe mode. Don't log in; just restart as usual when the login screen appears. When you do, make sure the words "Safe Boot" do not appear in the login screen. If they do, the system is still in safe mode and sound won't work.
11. Reset the NVRAM.
12. Reset the SMC.
13. Triple-click anywhere in the line below on this page to select it:
/Library/Preferences/Audio
Right-click or control-click the highlighted line and select
Services ▹ Reveal in Finder (or just Reveal)
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Go ▹ Go to Folder...
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15. Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store.

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Please read this whole message before doing anything.
This procedure is a test, not a solution. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
Step 1
The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account.
Enable guest logins* and log in as Guest. Don't use the Safari-only “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac.”
While logged in as Guest, you won’t have access to any of your personal files or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this; it’s normal. If you need any passwords or other personal data in order to complete the test, memorize, print, or write them down before you begin.
Test while logged in as Guest. Same problem?
After testing, log out of the guest account and, in your own account, disable it if you wish. Any files you created in the guest account will be deleted automatically when you log out of it.
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Step 2
The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.
Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. You must hold down the shift key twice: once when you boot, and again when you log in.
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, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. 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.
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OT

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Then, see if this works:
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Boot to the Recovery HD:
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studioduck wrote:
adsfushi72 or anyone else, would that still allow me to open the application when
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adsfushi72 wrote:
2. I opened terminal, entered the following line, and pressed the return key:
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Thanks!
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Accounts pane of Sys Prefs empty?

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