Applications won't start up after OS reinstall and software updates

Question

I reinstalled my system software (archive). Immediately I needed to update. All updates occured successfully, but now my applications (including System Preferences) will not start up. When initiated, their icons jump up and down in the dock, but then nothing. Can anyone help?

Answer 1

Here are some troubleshooting steps for apps that crash on launch.
Normally, you should create a new User and test the apps in this new account if they work the problem is isolated to your User and not systemwide.
[Since you cannot perform this step due to not being able to launch System Preferences proceed to test your user.]
1. Navigate to ~(yourhome/library/fonts - drag this folder to the desktop.
• Restart and test your applications.
• If they work start adding the fonts back few at a time.
( Likely suspects are Times RO & Helvetica Fractions, also if you do not use Classic you can trash the classic fonts.)
2. Check Preferences Thoroughly;
• Navigate to ~(yourhome/library/preferences drag this folder to the desktop.
• Restart and test your applications.
• If this works, save the old preferences folder somewhere else or on disk, name it "old prefs" .
** Note: A very important file is the "com.apple.Mail.plist" preference file located in the Preferences folder which contains all email account settings and general mail preferences (hold this one and replace if your problem is not with Mail).
You'll have to go through some of your System Preferences and apps to set the preferences back to how you like them. (Or if you have the time and inclination, "cherry pick" through until you find the problem one or two.)
3. Check Permissions Inside Home Folder
   • Navigate to yourhome/library.
   • Get Info (Command - i) on folders for apps you are having problems with.
   • Open the "Ownership & permissions" disclosure triangle.
   • Make sure you are the owner, with "read and write" access.
• Click on "apply to all"
   • If this is correct, open the "Applications Support" folder and do the same procedure (Command+I) for the folders with the names of the applications you are having trouble with.
If these steps do not resolve the issues, then the problem is probably systemwide.
You may be able to repair this with the10.2.8 Stand Alone Combo Update
This is a full install, as opposed to an incremental "delta" update so it should overwrite any files that are damaged or missing. It does not matter if you have applied it before. It has worked well for many.
Good luck, let us know.
-mj
[email protected]