Applications/documents not opening from Finder/Desktop

iMac 17" 800. I returned home after 3 months away to find the iMac in a mess (it is used by my wife and daughter). I repaired preferences and then found the disk to be not repairable with Disk Utilities. I started as a Target Drive and repaired from my MBP using Mac Pilot. Disk Utility showed repair to be good.
The problem is that I can start applications from the Dock and from the Finder using the "Action" box>Open. I cannot open an application by clicking on it nor a document in the Finder. Folders on the Desktop are equally not responsive.
I have done an Archive and Install to Tiger 10.4 and updated back to 10.4.11. The fault was the same throughout. I have deleted User/Library/Preferences/com.apple.desktop.plist-com.apple.finder.plist-com.app le.LaunchServices.plist. All to no avail and the fault remains.
The only other outstanding fault is that the Return key on the keyboard appears to be out of action, although I now get an audio acknowledgement of it being pressed, if nothing else. I am, as all the above has so far failed, wondering if there is some obscure connection?
Any ideas would be much appreciated.
TY
PS Can a keyboard still be flushed out under the tap?

To those of you who might have the same problem!
Just after making this post, I decided to try logging out and logging back in, something I had not done, as far as I can remember, since the computer came out of the box some years ago. I have no idea what happens when you do this with regard to software, but lo and behold, everything is working again. How this happened after an archive and install plus all the upgrades failed to achieve anything I have no clue.
Now to stick the keyboard under the tap - you never know!?
TY

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/Applications Folder not opening in Finder but works in Terminal

Hi guys,
I recently upgraded to Yosemite, but I'm not sure if this is a Yosemite-related bug.
My application folder (/Applications) does not open in finder (see screenshots)
The spinner keep spinning in the bottom right corner.
Also, when I "Get Info", it keeps calculating the size and never completes.
Also, when I drag the Applications folder to the dock, nothing happens.
However, it works fine in Terminal:
$ cd /; ls -lh
drwxrwxr-x+ 129 root   admin   4.3K Oct 17 03:14 Applications
When I go inside the Applications folder (in terminal), I can list all the files in it.Oddly enough, most of them are greyed out, and it only says "total 8" when I have way more than 8 apps.
$ cd /Applications; ls -lh
total 8
drwxr-xr-x   4 root   wheel   136B Apr 23 2013 3Hub.app
drwxr-xr-x@ 4 myusername staff   136B May 20 13:02 Adium.app
drwxrwxr-x   5 root   admin   170B Feb 7 2013 Adobe
drwxrwxr-x@ 7 root   admin   238B Feb 14 2013 Adobe Acrobat XI Pro
lrwxr-xr-x   1 root   admin    92B Feb 14 2013 Adobe Application Manager -> /Applications/Utilities/Adobe Application Manager/CCM/Utilities/AdobeCreativeCloudClient.app
drwxrwxr-x@ 8 root   admin   272B Feb 7 2013 Adobe Bridge CS6
drwxr-xr-x@ 3 myusername staff   102B Jul 20 2012 Adobe Cleaner.app
drwxr-xr-x@ 3 myusername staff   102B Dec 12 2012 Adobe Download Assistant.app
drwxrwxr-x@ 6 root   admin   204B Feb 7 2013 Adobe Extension Manager CS6
drwxrwxr-x@ 13 root   admin   442B Feb 7 2013 Adobe Illustrator CS6
drwxrwxr-x@ 13 root   admin   442B Feb 7 2013 Adobe Photoshop CS6
drwxr-xr-x   3 root   wheel   102B Feb 7 2013 Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4.app
drwxr-xr-x@ 3 myusername admin   102B Oct 15 2012 Air Video Server.app
drwxr-x---@ 5 myusername staff   170B Dec 12 2013 Android Development Kit
drwxr-xr-x+ 3 root   wheel   102B Jul 11 15:49 App Store.app
I can even open my apps in Terminal:
$ cd /Applications; open Notes.app
Mission Control works fine as well.
Does anyone know how I can see my Applications in Finder?
I've tried the usual Disk Utility (verify/repair permissions) and even reinstalled a fresh copy of Mac OSX Yosemite (using recovery).
Note: I did mess around with ~/Library/Preferences immediately after installing Yosemite because of the background flashing bug (I deleted some plists files to fix that bug).
Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

RonHerrema wrote:
Drew, I have previously done everything you have listed as possible remedies, with no success.
Well in that case the options I see are…
1.
This seems like a 'defaults write tweak' or similar system level modification that is failing on the latest OS.
Revert any applied system tweaks from apps like Secrets or Onyx, that is if you remember applying any (these can be things like 'no-glass dock', no shadows on screenshots etc).
Your Terminal may have the command history saved. Try 'history' in that app to see if you have any 'defaults write' changes listed. Post them here for help to revert them.
It seems likely to me that the 'background flashing bug' mentioned earlier by helloziy was fixing a bad defaults write setting (preferences store the defaults write tweaks). If you have one 'bad tweak', there are probably others elsewhere on the system.
2.
I would consider backing up, erasing the internal disk & clean installing the OS. Migrate ONLY your user data back to the new install (avoid Applications & 'other files' - they could be the reason for this issue). You will need to reinstall apps as you need them.
3.
Another possibility is using EtreCheck to view what everyone has installed & running…
http://www.etresoft.com/etrecheck
It would basically be a case of comparing affected reports & then removing or reinstalling apps until something changes (a crapshoot).
Etrecheck will not tell you about any 'defaults write' or other system modifications.
4.
I'd backup & consider removing all system preferences. This is drastic & may break many things until you alter the default settings!
Reboot into recovery mode & remove the contents of /Library/Preferences from the boot disk, it will need to be done in Terminal.
You need to do this when the OS isn't running because Mac OS will cache preferences and some values will be written back to new files even after deleting the original files. Keep a backup of the files handy incase the OS breaks on next reboot!
Sorry it's not a solution, but it may help some diagnosis that get you closer to one.

Web Dynpro Application is not openeing from Portal UWL

Hi,
I have developed a WD application which is integrated in the portal. This WD application navigates through several levels of approval by triggering the workflow. Initially USER will create the request launching the WD application from portal and upon clicking the SUBMIT button -> Workflow will be triggered and Work item will be sent to Approver UWL list in the Portal.
Link will be displayed in the UWL list and upon clicking that link WD application need to be opened where the details will be displayed and can approve the request by clicking on APPROVE button.
Here, We have created a PFCG role which can be assigned to USER to access the WD application to create the request from portal. But for Approvers, we have not assigned any such roles except UWL role.
Workflow is working fine, Workitem is displayed in Approvers UWL but when they click on the link -> WD Application is not opening. Configuration in SWFVISU is done.
I think we are missing some roles which need to be assigned to Approvers. We cross checked by assigning SAP_ALL profile to the Approers and found WD application is getting opened and everything is working fine. But we are not supposed to give SAP_ALL in the PRD.
Please help what are the other roles that need to be assigned to Approvers.
Thanks,
Bharath.

did you try by assigning pfcg roles to approvers along with Uwl?
Regards
Srinivas

Applications will not open but Finder still working

Hi everyone
I'm having a problem with my iMac and would really appreciate some help. It had been working totally fine for a long time without any problems, however, when I woke it up from sleep last something seemed wrong so I restarted. The bootup took longer than normal and even at the login screen my iMac was working very slowly, but I did manage to login though. When I was logged in the system was running a lot more slowly than normal and I could not open any of the applications. Whenever I clicked on an app in the dock the icon bounced as normal but then after a short while stopped bouncing and went black, then after that returned to being coloured without the app having started.
The strange thing is that Finder seems to be working fine, it is running slowly but I can still navigate through folders etc. Also, I tried connecting to my iMac through my LAN with my MacBook and this worked fine as well and I could get to all of the files on my iMac's hard drive.
If anyone has any suggestions on what this could be and what to try to fix it, I would be very grateful.
Cheers
iMac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.9) 2GHz G5, 2gb RAM, 400gb hard drive, approx. 2 years old

I have had a similar issue. I don't have users set up on my computer, so when I restart it automatically logs me in, but if I log out and then log back in (instead of restarting) it seems to fix my problem. My problem is that I open the system applications and they bounce in the doc and the menu bar at the top says the program, but it won't do anything else. I think when this problem originally started that I tried checking things with the cd and it wouldn't complete the test. I should try that again when I have loged out and back in and all my applications are runing. Good luck.

Firefox will not open from my desktop (freezes), but will open from wifes desktop, same computer.

Within the last 3 days, I have opened my Firefox browser only to have it freeze. There are two tabs opened. One eventually showas a yellow triangle with and exclamation mark and states "Restore Session". The second tab has "Getting Started with Firefox". I have opened my wifes desktop, clicked on Firefox and it opens properly and I am able to use it. I go back to my desktop, open Firefox... FREEZES!! I have spoken with a local computer repair busuiness and have tried several suggestions from them including uninstalling and reinstalling. Even after the same thing happens from only my desktop, open Firefox...FREEZES!!. I hope you can provide a solution as there are several work related websites that only function correctly with Firefox.

It is possible that there is a problem with the files sessionstore.js and sessionstore.bak in the Firefox Profile Folder.
Delete the sessionstore.js [2] file and possible sessionstore-##.js [3] files with a number and sessionstore.bak in the Firefox Profile Folder.
* Help > Troubleshooting Information > Profile Directory: Open Containing Folder
* http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox
Deleting sessionstore.js will cause App Tabs and Tab Groups and open and closed (undo) tabs to get lost, so you will have to create them again (make a note or bookmark them).
See also:
* [1] http://kb.mozillazine.org/Session_Restore
* [2] http://kb.mozillazine.org/sessionstore.js
* [3] http://kb.mozillazine.org/Multiple_profile_files_created
* http://kb.mozillazine.org/Error_loading_websites
Create a new profile as a test to check if your current profile is causing the problems.
See "Basic Troubleshooting: Make a new profile":
*https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Basic+Troubleshooting#w_8-make-a-new-profile
There may be extensions and plugins installed by default in a new profile, so check that in "Tools > Add-ons > Extensions & Plugins" in case there are still problems.
If that new profile works then you can transfer some files from the old profile to that new profile, but be careful not to copy corrupted files.
See:
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Transferring_data_to_a_new_profile_-_Firefox

Firefox does not open from the desktop icon!

I upgraded to the new one and tried to run once the install said finish. my addmin account will not open firefox but my guest acct does open it.

Have you tried: click Firefox button > New Tab > New Window '''''OR''''' CTRL+N '''''OR''''' File > New Window (if using the Menu Bar)
Once open, Firefox locks the Profile that is in use and you can not open another window with that Firefox version and Profile combination using the Windows Desktop icon or the Windows Programs list.

Office documents not opening from sharepoint in MS Office 2013

I am not able to open MS office documents from my sharepoint site.
Error: "Sorry, We couldn't open "URL"
I am using MS office 2013 and IE8
Thanks in advance.

Are you trying to open in browser or in client?
Check this article
https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3004898/en-us
Check if you have also another older office version installed on the client.
Change the document library settings -> Advanced settings ->Open in client application or open in browser - are there any differences?
MCITP|MCTS SharePoint| SharePoint Performance blog

LP9 files not opening from Finder?

Is it just me? Or when you double click on a Logic 9 project in Finder, it opens Logic, but not the file itself, meaning I have to either go to Open Recent (in Logic) or Open... and get it...
Also finding the Low Memory problem a little bit comical. On a 3Ghz 8Core MP with 4GB RAM, why is it struggling at 44.1k with Omnisphere, RMX and Akoustik Piano when it was no issue whatsoever in LP8? I do worry what will happen when it comes to having to bounce parts at 96k for the studio...

Ben Collier wrote:
Is it just me? Or when you double click on a Logic 9 project in Finder, it opens Logic, but not the file itself, meaning I have to either go to Open Recent (in Logic) or Open... and get it...
Known issue
see http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2881
CCT

Itunes will not open from desktop icon or start menu?

itunes will not open from the desktop icon or from the start menu?

Are you getting an error message when you try to launch iTunes, patrice? If so, what does it say? (Precise text, please.)

Lion 10.7 - application switches spaces when opened from finder

I am using Lion 10.7 , I assigned dreamweaver to desktop1 by choose Options > This Desktop when in desktop1. Then relaunch DW and it correctly opened in desktop 1. Now if i open a file using in finder (which is itself assigned to desktop3) on a file that is default to DW then Dreamweaver moves itself to Desktop3.
I thought the point was that we could assign different applications to different spaces and they would stay that way. Are we saying that if a file is opened from finder its default application will be moved and set up of spaces does not apply ?.

I just tried this (with iBooks Author). It worked as you would like it to if the app is not running when I double-click the file in Finder. I assigned the app to desktop 4. I quit the app. I went to desktop 1 and double-clicked on a document in the Finder (which, for me, is not assigned to any desktop). I was shuttled off to desktop 4 where the app launched and opened the document. Good.
But, as you say, if the app is already running and I double-click the document, it opens in whichever desktop I happen to be in.
Sounds like a bug, or at least an undesirable feature.
Apple - Mac OS X - Feedback
It would be interesting to figure out if this is a new "feature" of Mission Control, or if this same inconsistency was present in Snow Leopard (where Spaces could also be pretty quirky).
charlie

PDF FILES WILL NOT OPEN FROM DESKTOP

ADOBE READER WILL NOT OPEN A PDF FILE FROM THE DESKTOP ON MY MAC PRO.
It works when opened in Safari but I get the following messages when trying to open from the desktop.
This started with the MT LION upgrade. I did down;oad the latest Adobe Reader. See next image. THX, Wally

HEY - THE VALIUM WORKED!
I found this on an old Nov 2012 discussion AND IT WORKS.......
Do not do a "save as" like I was doing - SAVE FROM THE ACTUAL PDF DOCUMENT.....
william1954
Re: can't save PDF documents with safari
Nov 19, 2012 11:50 AM (in response to Magnus.LPA)
Deleting the files "AdobePDFViewerNPAPI.plugin" and "AdobePDFViewer.plugin" worked BUT then Safari couldn't display pdf files embedded on web pages.
I found putting "AdobePDFViewerNPAPI.plugin" back fixed the display problem.
What I didn't know was that now when viewing a pdf, there is the pdf menu that becomes visible when mousing to the bottom of a page on the displayed pdf. Using it instead of the old Safari method for saving pdf's on web pages solved my problem.
Thanks to C D R (above) for the tip!
I'm on Snow Leopard 10.6.8.
YAHOOOOOOOO - THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR INPUT.....
Wally

Newly installed Acrobat will NOT open from Creative Cloud app on Desktop using Windows 7 Pro - what's the problem?

Newly installed Acrobat will NOT open from Creative Cloud app on Desktop using Windows 7 Pro - what's the problem?

the cc desktop app is used to install and update cc programs (and a few other thinigs). but that does not include 'opening' the installed programs.
click your start button or your program files directory to find the acrobat executable to launch acrobat (and any of your other apps, adobe or otherwise).

My Mail application will not open a window on my desktop?

Anyone else had this problem of Mail not opening on their desktop after having done a software update- any suggestions how to get it to open? I am on 10.9 OSX operating system now.

Generally, the ikons you'll place on your desktop, (and all of those which reside on the DOCK) will be 'aliases,' which simply direct the machine to follow the path to the Application itself.
Your 'Applications' folder should be visible in the left-hand collum on any open window. Open it. If an Application will open directly it means that the path to the alias was broken and you need to delete it and make a new one, or track down its real location through the finder. Try not to ever place Applications themselves on your desktop.
After 8 days without Mail, I just succeeded at restoring mom's connections on her iMac. I'll be happy to make more suggestions as needed...

I am trying to use powerpoint but when I open a document I want to work on it does not open on my desktop. It appears as open on mission control but it disappears offscreen. How can I get it to open where i need it and can work on it?

I am trying to use powerpoint but when I open a document I want to work on it does not open on my desktop. It appears as open on mission control but it disappears offscreen. How can I get it to open where i need it and can work on it?

It's almost certainly too late.
The time to create a backup is before a catastrophe. After a catastrophe, it's too late.

Why can I not open pictures when I click on the host icon on my desktop? It just sits there, and can not open from top menu bar as well, only via itunes

why can I not open pictures when I click on the host icon on my desktop? It just sits there, and can not open from top menu bar as well, only via itunes

Does your question involve iPhoto in some way?

Applications/documents not opening from Finder/Desktop

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