All files except HDD icons disappered from desktop

I am using Lion. Suddenly, all of the files and folders from my desktop disappered. I have tried to reset desktop and finder preferences by deleting plist files from Library/preferences but no success. Any idea?

Okay. In Finder if I hit Apple-Shift-C, the drive is there.
UPDATE: In Disk Utility, I unmounted both partitions and then re-mounted them. In Finder Preferences I unchecked External Drives and re-checked it. The drives are back. They came back once before today, but disappeared--we'll see if they stay this time.

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External HD Icon disappered from desktop

I have a Lacie Firewire external Hard drive.
This afternoon the icon disappered from my desk top.
It does not appear in the System Profiler or the Disk Utility
Where did it go?

Glad to hear that was the source of the problem. The Firewire bus fuses are great at protecting the bus hardware from permanent damage, not so great at releasing. The latchup can be triggered by faulty hardware --- in my case, a combo USB/Firewire hub in use at the time turned out to have a design defect that allows the Firewire signal to sometimes short to ground through the hub's case --- but is more typically cause by power line surges or glitches, especially brief one-second range power drops or brownouts. The brief glitches can sometimes cause more problems than an lengthy outage. If power line glitches aren't uncommon where you are, you should consider an Uninterpretable Power Supply. A low-end UPS model (e.g., the APC BackUPS 350) can usually be found on sale for around US$40; even a low-end UPS will let the computer ride out brief power glitches. Higher-end UPS models allow longer run time and include coax line protection as well. Attach a UPS to the Mac with a USB cable, and Energy Saver (in OS X 10.3 and later) will add a UPS tab that allows the Mac to shut down gracefully in case of extended power loss.
In any case, you now have a nice new power supply for your external drive!

What are all the hard drive icons on my desktop from app installations?

Most of the apps I have installed leave a new hard drive icon on my desktop, like these. Obviously the Macintosh HD is an good one to keep, but the others just keep accumulating and I find that to be a problem.
What are these?
What purpose do they serve?
Can I delete them?
If no delete, can I hide them?
Thanks

1. Mounted disk images.
2. They contain the software or its installer. The dmg format doesn't require separately storing the decompressed version of the data on the computer.
3. Yes.
(116534)

Having an AppleScript Move All Files of a Certain Type From Sub-Folders to Trash

Greetings, everyone. With my introductory post, I would like to ask for help with an AppleScript I've been slaving over for the past five hours or so. I have tried Terminal and Finder commands both, along with lots and lots of Googling, and I cannot seem to get this to work.
Specfically, I want a script to look into a folder and all of its sub-directories, locate all files with a certain extension (in this case, APP), and then send every one of those files to the trash. Originally, I planned to delete them directly with Terminal commands that required verification, but I couldn't get that to work, and I thought that this would be a more average user-friendly version, anyway.
I also wondered if there was any universal means of referring to a system drive without referring to it by its name, since (as you'll see in the script) the directory that these *.app files will be moved from is in the Users/Shared hierarchy. However, it's meant to be used on multiple computers, so naming the OS drive on one won't work for others. If no such wild card exists, is what I'm doing now (having the script placed in the root folder of the OS drive) acceptable?
As it is, when I run this script, it displays all the dialogs, but the APP files aren't moved. It doesn't error at all in the AppleScript editor, it just runs and then closes down. I don't know what I'm doing wrong.
Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.
=====
if button returned of (display dialog "Trash all of the APP files in your SuchAndSuch folder? (This script must be in the root directory of your system drive.)" buttons {"Yes, I'm ready", "No"} default button 2 cancel button 2 with title "SuchAndSuch Folder Prep" with icon caution) is "Yes, I'm ready" then
    set theFolder to ":Users:Shared:SuchAndSuch:" as alias
    tell application "Finder"
        set theFiles to every file of theFolder whose name extension is "app"
        move theFiles to trash
    end tell
end if
if button returned of (display dialog "The APP files have been trashed." buttons {"OK"} default button 1 with title "SuchAndSuch Folder Prep" with icon 1) is "OK" then
end if

Well, you've done more fiddling than that; you've moved everything inside the Finder tell block. Why did you do that? If you recall my point 2 above, it is difficult to use POSIX paths or the POSIX file command inside Finder tell blocks without generating errors, but you've done both in your revision. I'm surprised that you're surprised that it doesn't work.
Applescript tries to be user-friendly, but it's still a programming language, and like any programming language the devil is in the details. Changes that seem small and innocuous to you can make big differences in the result you get.
Now:
/Users/Shared should be machine independent in POSIX: you don't need to specify the hard drive name and it should be universal on all OS X installations. You can specify it directly.
The Finder's delete command moves fils to the trash, it doesn't erase them. Trying to use the move command to get files to the trash is a little bass-ackwards.
Don't put anything inside a Finder tell block unless it has to be processed by the Finder. If you do you're just begging for errors.
There's no need to put the script at the root level of the drive. If the Finder needs permission to delete a file it will ask.
untangled and revised:
set subfolderOfSharedFolder to quoted form of "/Users/Shared/<subfolder name>"
set response to display dialog "Trash all of the APP files in your <subfolder name> folder?" buttons {"Yes, I'm ready", "No"} default button 2 cancel button 2 with title "<subfolder name> Folder Prep" with icon caution
if button returned of response is "Yes, I'm ready" then
-- run spotlight search
          set filesToDelete to paragraphs of (do shell script "mdfind 'kMDItemFSName == *.app c' -onlyin " & subfolderOfSharedFolder)
-- convert posix paths to file specifiers
          repeat with thisFile in filesToDelete
                    set (contents of thisFile) to POSIX file thisFile
          end repeat
          tell application "Finder"
delete filesToDelete
          end tell
          if button returned of (display dialog "The APP files have been trashed." buttons {"OK"} default button 1 with title "SuchAndSuch Folder Prep" with icon 1) is "OK" then
          end if
end if

Erasrd Zip Disk 250 IOMEGA Zip Disk icon dissappeared from desktop

I was experimenting for the purpose of learning how to erase a Zip Disk. It’s not necessary because you can simple remove existing folders from a Zip Disk and put new one on. This was sort of a controlled experiment.
This Zip Disk was a back up Zip Disk (removable media). So I made copies of the existing folders and put them in a safe place. So I did not lose data. I made backups for Folders on my Zip Disk and then deliberately erased the data on the Zip Disk itself.
I have an External IOMEGA 250 Zip Drive and I was using an IOMEGA 250 Zip Disk.
I went to (Mac Help) to get instructions on how to erase a disk or volume.
I opened Disk Utility I was instructed to select a Disk Volume or Image on the Left side of the window. On the left there was my
External Hard Drive IOMEGA icon 239.0 MB and under It was the classic (White) IOMEGA Zip Disk Icon 250MB.
I believe I selected my:
External Zip Hard Drive Icon 239.0MB IOMEGA ZIP 250.
Then in the dialog box to the Right I selected the (Erase) button. In the Erase dialog box I entered the following information:
Volume Format: I Selected Mac OS Extended (Journal)
Name: Zip 250
Check Box: Install Mac OS.9 Disk Driver
Regarding this (check box)
Mac Help Stated this:
If you plan to start up the disk in Mac OS 9 or if the disk will be connected to computer running OS 9 then check this box.
So I checked this box
Options Button: I checked (Zero All Data)
Erase Button: I hit erase
The erase procedure was not completed.
So I went back into the Erase dialog box this time I did not select anything from the
(Options Menu) Options were now listed as none.
I hit erase again and this time the erase was completed.
And upon completion I noticed that the (White) Zip 250 icon on my Desktop disappeared. I don't think that was supposed to happen.
I did notice that the External Zip Hard Drive was still listed in the Right Panel of my Disk Utility but the (White) Zip Disk250 icon had changed it now was listed as:
Disk1s9
But the Zip Disk Icon itself was not showing on my desktop
So apparently I did not execute this erase experiment correctly!
For learning purposes I would like to receive instructions on how to get the (White) Zip 250 icon to mount so I can re-use this Zip Disk. And In the process learn the right way to do something like this. And to understand what is actually taking place.
Let me save you some time, as you try to trouble-shoot what I have done, by telling you what action I have already taken to fix this.
I went back to my Disk Utility:
Selected the (First Aid) Button in an attempt to Verify and Repair Volumes:
I Verified the Volume it was OK
I also Repaired Volume and it said OK
I then ejected the Zip Disk from the Disk Utility and simply reinserted it again to see if the (White) Zip 250 Icon would now be displayed on my Desktop. But it did not.
I then ejected the Zip Disk and turned off my computer and turned it back on and tried again to mount my Zip Disk to my Desktop.
But to no avail
I then turned my computer off and upon restart I reset my Parameters
Zap the Pram, as they say and that did not work.
I then with the External IOMEGA 250 Zip Drive still plugged in to my USB Port; I again turned off my computer. While the computer was off I un-plugged the External IOMEGA 250 Zip Drive from the USB port and then plugged it back in, and turned my computer back on. I put my Zip Disk into my Zip Drive but it still did not mount the (Whit) Zip Disk Icon on my desktop.
Each time I ejected the Zip Disk and reinserted it a Message would display:
You have installed a Disk containing no volumes that Mac OSX can read to continue with the Disk inserted click (ignore) from following buttons"
(Initialize) (Ignore) (Eject)
Initialize simply opened Disk Utility.
So I then clicked (Ignore) and proceeded back to Disk Utility to mount a new image even though I did not need to retrieve any loss data. I thought what the heck, I will try it, may be I can get my (White) Zip 250 icon back on my desktop in the process.
So with Disk Utility opened from the above Main Menu I selected:
Image:
New:
Image from disk1s9
Results I got an Error-39 Message?
With that I gave up and came to the Discussion Board to find out what I actually did wrong and how to repair it, and learn the right way to do something like this.
I am guessing that the new Zip Disk 1s9 listed in the Disk Utility is a major clue. I am assuming it is in reference to OS 9.2.2, I did check that box during the erasing procedure to install Mac OS 9 Disk Driver?
I hope I have not done any damage to my OS9 Operating System or caused OS 9 to malfunction in some way.
I have not gone into OS 9.2.2 yet to check for any malfunctions.
Also I thought I would mention this External Zip Driver is about 4 years old, so far it has worked well on both OS9.2.2 and OSX 10.3.9
So, I think what I have done is pretty straightforward and I hope the solution is simple and straightforward.
I would like some help with this so I can learn more and understand what I did and how to repair things.
Worse case scenario I can just buy another blank Zip Disk

Beverly:
Welcome to Apple Discussions.
You apparently erased the formatted volume on your zip disk, so that Mac OS does not see it as a Mac disk.
Launch Disk Utility and select your zip disk (manufacturer ID) in left panel. Select Partition in the main panel. Name your Volume in the Name field. Select Volume Format as Mac OS Extended (Journaled). You are about to create a Mac formatted volume on a single partition of your zip disk. Click Partition.
Let me know if this works for you.
Good luck.
cornelius

DVD icon disappeared from desktop after copy-cannot eject

I am copying a home slide show thru Disk Utility. After the slide show copied, the DVD icon on my desktop disappeared and I cannot eject it to then install a clean DVD to Burn. Please advise.

Launch Disk Utility again. If the DVD is recognized then select it and then select the Eject icon. If it appears but is "greyed out" then select it, then select Mount, and then Eject.
If that does not work, restart your MacBook Pro while holding the trackpad depressed.

After the latest update my itunes icons disappeared from desktop

After completing the latest update, the desktop icons have completely disappeared. I can get Itunes to show up when I have my device plugged in, but have been unable to get the icons to show back up on the desktop. Is there anyway to fix this?

Get Dutch version of Firefox from here
* http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all.html
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Safari icon disappears from desktop/menu bar

my son clicked on safari to open it on our new imac. he said the icon disappeared. he was right. i had to go to spotlight and open it from there. i tried to drag the icon from the applications after spotlight found it, but it wouldn't stay on my desktop at the bottom menu bar.
how do i get it on my menu bar again.
why did this hapend

thank you.
i was finally able to drag it to the menu applications bar at the bottom, to the left of the double white line, but i had to first drag it onto my desktop, and then into the menu bar on the bottom.
however, it stayed in both places. on my desktop and down in my menu bar. i would like it only in my menu bar, but i'm afraid if i drag the icon from my desktop to the trash, it will delete both, or all safari applications, and i wouldn't want that to happen.
how do i remove it from my desktop, yet keep it in the menu bar at the bottom? it used to always be in the menu bar on the bottom, and never on the desktop screen itself.
am i making any sense?

Hard drive and folders disappered from desktop

Having one of those days. Was working fine. I had been working on a file in InDesign CS6. As I was saving, I noticed that the hard drive and folders had disappeared. I restarted. No luck. Have run disk utiity and restarted. So far nothing. I can still access hard drive and files, but would like them back on desktop. How can I fix that? I do have an external back up - just in case. Running - OSX 10.9.5. Help?!

Do a backup.
Go to Finder and select your user/home folder. With that Finder window as the front window, either select Finder/View/Show View options or go command - J. When the View options opens, check ’Show Library Folder’. That should make your user library folder visible in your user/home folder. Select Library. Then go to Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist and com.apple.desktop.plist. Move the .plists to your desktop.
Re-launch Finder by restarting the computer and test. If it works okay, delete the plists from the desktop.
If the same, return the .plists to where you got it from, overwriting the newer one.
Thanks to leonie for some information contained in this.

Need to see ALL files in folder when saving from Word 2003 OR Word 2013 program

Here is the issue.... A customer of mine has the need to save files in order (Communications with customers by date and time)
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Thanks!
John
John Huber

Hi,
When we save a Word document, the "Save As" dialog only displays these files which are the same type as the one we are trying to save. To display other types of files, select from the "Save as type" box, but I haven't realized there's a way to show
all types of files when saving. This is just how it works so far.
Thanks,
Melon Chen
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Webcam icon missing from desktop on windows 7

hi
i no longer see the desktop icon. i use the webcam frequently to click images. the device manager shows the driver installed. how do i get the icon back on my desktop ??
pl help

Hi,
You can go to start\all programs and check if webcam program list in that, then right click the icon and send it to desktop.
In addition, reinstall the webcam driver can get the icon back.
Regards,
Leo Huang
Please remember to click “Mark as Answer” on the post that helps you, and to click “Unmark as Answer” if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.

Icons change from desktop to HD

Hello everyone.
I just got started in 10.6 and I notice that icons of documents such as PDFs and TextEdit documents look different on the desktop but change to their familiar look when moved to the hard drive. Is this normal on Snow Leopard or is something not right with my system?
Thanks for any comments.
Rich

Thanks for clearing that up for me. I investigated the situation and decided that leaving the icon preview mode on would be an asset without hurting anything. It was just strange to see the icons change when transferred from the desktop to the Home HD.
Thanks again.

Photoshop crashes with 1 file open and opening second from Desktop

I have an odd dilemma: a user can work on a single file fine in Photoshop. If she tries to open a second file in Photoshop and chooses 'Desktop', Photoshop immediately crashes/closes.
I logged into the computer as myself with Administrative privileges and was able to do the above without Photoshop crashing. I logged into the computer under a different general account with the same privileges as the user and was again able to do the above without Photoshop crashing. It appears to be something related to her profile, but a profile rebuild did not resolve the issue.
I read somewhere else on the forums about choosing a local printer. I did that, but the problem persisted. Are there any other user-specific settings that may be causing Photoshop to crash?

We ended up having to rebuild her entire computer image from scratch. That seemed to resolve the issue (albeit a time-consuming process).

Can't move video and pix files back to iPod Touch from desktop computer

I moved (via drag-and-drop in Windows) video and picture files from an iPod Touch (iOS 5.1.1) to a Windows 7 desktop computer. I want to copy some of them back, but it won't let me drag-and-drop to copy them back to the iPod. How do I get the files back on the iPod? I know that the "disk mode" is not available on the Touch. Also, although the iPod shows up in iTunes on my desktop computer, these video and picture files (Quick Time Movies, JPEGs, etc.) don't show up there. So, I'm out of ideas. A related question: how do I scan the iPod using my Windows 7 desktop computer's anti-virus application (McAfee)? Normally, when I right-click on a device on the desktop computer, it offers me the ability to scan it for viruses. Not only does it not give me this option for the iPod; the iPod doesn't even show up as a hard drive; it shows up in the window as a separate "flavor" of drive. Is there a way to make Windows 7 think that the iPod Touch is just another USB-connected drive; i.e., is there a way to mimic the disk mode option that is available on other models of the iPod other than the Touch?

- There is no way to scan the iPod for virus via a computer program. I know of no way to scan an iPod.
- To sync photos to the iPod see:
iOS and iPod: Syncing photos using iTunes
- To sync videos to the iPod see:
iTunes: Syncing media content to iOS devices and iPod
iTunes: Frequently asked questions about viewing and syncing videos
iTunes: May be unable to transfer videos to iPhone, iPad, or iPod

Icons dissapear from desktop

I have a HP EliteDesk 800 gi sff computer that runs win7 64 bit. Seems like about once a week somtimes more often I will lose desktop icons the seem to be only network shortcuts but they will dissaper from my desktop. Any one have an idea on how to fix this?

Hi Support-Stein:
I am sorry, but to get your issue more exposure I would suggest posting it in the commercial forums since this is a commercial product. You can do this at http://h30499.www3.hp.com/hpeb/ .
I hope this helps.
Sparkles1
I work on behalf of HP
Please click “Accept as Solution ” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

All files except HDD icons disappered from desktop

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