After Effects Error: Tracker_Register: Missing Suite ( 1 :: 0 )

Question

Product: AE CS4
Version: 9.0
OS: OS X 10.5.7
One day this error just sprung up on me, after having worked fine for quite a while. Strangely, I have scoured the internet and found no mention of this specific error. The error happens upon launching After Effects and after clicking OK, the application shuts down. It does not ever reach the user interface. The loading splash screen comes up and then the errors come up shortly after.
The two error messages come up one after the other and read in this order:
"After Effects error: Tracker_Register: missing suite. ( 1 :: 0 )"
"After Effects can't continue: Failed to register built-in motion tracker."
I have attempted to reinstall After Effects entirely, even going as far as to wipe all the associated files that are left behind after an uninstall.
I will attempt to update AE and will report back the progress on that.
UPDATE
Updated AE to 9.0.2
There are now three errors, including the above two. The third error reads: "After Effects can't continue: unexpected failure during application startup"

Answer 1

Okay, let's do this one step at a time. Removing components without proper uninstall procedures can indeed be dangerous, but I don't think that's the issue here. If the program reports an entire suite missing (which is merely another way of saying that some pieces of its core code have gone anywhere but here), one of the system libraries is not initializing. This is extremely rare on Macs, so this is even more puzzling. As a first step, I would definitely run a tool like OnyX or Apple's own Repair Permissions and disk health utility to check disk integrity. The thing is, the exact spot on the drive could be damaged and it's in the nature of OSX to not waste space, so it will always try to place files in the same physical spot, if they have the same name and similar properties to the predecessor and that region may actualyl have problems. Therefore updating AE might not solve the matter. Second, check the language settings on the files in your AE directory using right-click - Information. This also works with multiple files selected. If they have different settings, you will get a warning and may need to select them separately. On the info panel, have a look at the language options. If the language in which you run AE is not enabled or you have multiple instances of the same language checked (OSX again stores this per file redundantly), disable/ enable the check marks until everything seems right. While you are on the panel, also have a look at the compatibility infdo (it should refer to intel compatibility) and of course the user permission settings. All users must be at least able to read the files. From inside AE, check, whether you are using the "accelerate panels" option in the prefs. Since tracking is a layer window feature, it may cause issues, if there is something not right with your graphics card settings. Speaking of which, check your monitor settings if everything is right. As a last thing, definitely check your Quicktime install. I'm not aware of any definite problems, but QT is always a good candidate for causing issues of any kind.
Mylenium