Balky trackpad - Can't get into System Preference

My month old MacBook Pro runs Mac OS X 10.6.4. For no reason I can determine, the trackpad now requires 2 finger click to initiate program. The 2 finger click initiates a dialog box which gives me the choice to open the program with another 2 finger click. When I go to System Preferences I can open none of the preferences, even with the 2 finger click. When I open About This Mac from the Apple icon in the upper left, I can't close it. Any other program appears behind the About This Mac box in the middle of the screen.
The only way to quit System Preferences is to force quit (Option, Command, esc). Then I can't close the Force Quit Applications program or the About this Mac. A 2 finger click on the Force Quit Application red "quit" button causes the button to light up, but when I move the cursor off of the button, the red light goes out. A 2 finger click does nothing.
I have restarted, Shut Down, Forced Shut Down,

Try resetting the SMC. Info here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1411?locale=en_GB
If that doesn't do it, try resetting the PRAM:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238

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Lost my ability to get into system preferences

I just can not find the icon anywhere on my computer to get into system preferences. If I log in as another new user I get a question mark in place of the system preferences icon. How do I get that file back? without reinstalling my OS?

Hi Marcus, and a warm welcome to the forums!
Could be many things, we should start with this...
"Try Disk Utility
1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc that came with your computer, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
*Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.*
3. Click the First Aid tab.
4. Click the disclosure triangle to the left of the hard drive icon to display the names of your hard disk volumes and partitions.
5. Select your Mac OS X volume.
6. Click Repair. Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk."
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
Then Safe Boot from the HD, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, reboot.
The usual reason why updates fail or mess things up, is if Permissions are not fixed before & after every update, with a reboot... you may get a partial update when the installer finds it doesn't have Permissions to change one obscure little part of the OS, leaving you with a mix of OS versions.
Some people get away without Repairing Permissions for years, some for only days.
If Permissions are wrong before applying an update, you could get mixed OS versions, if Directory is the slightest messed up, who knows!
If many Permission are repaired, or any Directory errors are found, you may need to re-apply some the latest/biggest updates.

I purchase this macbook at a yard sale. did not come is os disc. i can not get the system preference to open up an operate to change desktop and remove old accounts. any suggestions will be very helpful

hello community, im new to macbook; i purchase this macbook at a yard sale everything seems to be working ok but i am unable to access the system preference in order to change the desktop or remove old accounts. the owner did not have the os disc. does anyone have any suggestions on how to fix this problem.
thank you

If you don't have your install disks you can get the gray install disks by calling Apple StoreCustomer Service at 1-800-676-2775 They can send them to you for about $16 per disk plus S & H. Just give them your serial number and they'll know which ones you need. Which would be $32 for the two disks. With the original disks you also get the iLife that was current when your MacBook was bought included on the #2 disk.
You can order a Snow Leopard 10.6 install disk for $29 as long as you have at least 1gb of RAM and 5gb of free space on your hard drive. http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A?mco=MTY3ODQ5OTY

Strange messages on boot, can't get into system

My computer was ~1 month unbooted and `pacman -Syu`d couple of times at this time. Now at boot it spits out strange messages like this:
(handwritten so there may be typos)
isapnp: No Plug Play device found
Serial: driver ports IRQ sharing disabled
serial : ttyS at I O x f irq = is a NS A
serial : : activated
: : ttyS at I O x f irq = is a A
input: Macintosh mouse button emulation as class input input
PNP: PS Controller [PNP :PS K PNP f :PS M] at x x irq
i c: Detected active multiplexing controller rev
serio: i KBD port at x x irq
serio: i AUX port at x x irq
serio: i AUX port at x x irq
serio: i AUX port at x x irq
serio: i AUX port at x x irq
I was able anyway to boot into my system with Arch LiveCD (kernel 2.6.20) giving kernel root=/dev/sda3 option at boot. I tried compiling 2.6.27.1 and using this new vmlinuz and kernel img (made `oldconfig` from newest livecd /proc/config.gz) , but problem persists. Is it somehow related to I8042 controller? I've set CONFIG_SERIO_I8042=y.
I have also tried adding acpi=off, noapic and irqpoll kernel boot parameters, and with acpi=off I get into
(handwritten so there may be typos)
bus: index io port : [ ffff]
bus: index mmio : [ ffffffff]
*CUT*
NET: Registered protocol family
IP route cache hash table entries: order: bytes
TCP established hash table entries: order: bytes
TCP bind hash table entries: order: bytes
TCP: Hash tables configured established bind
TCP reno registered
NET: Registered protocol family
Trying 2008.6 LiveCD's "boot into existing linux system" reverts into same problem.
So I got no more ideas.
Last edited by femc (2008-12-16 02:40:39)

Yes

Keyboard found/working - but can't get into setup in system preferences

Hi,
I've had the Apple Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard (the flat aluminum one) for about a year. It works great, but recently want to see if I could modify some keys.
Wen into System Preferences, clicked "Set Up Bluetooth Keyboard" and it just searches for the keyboard forever, but never finds it.
Weird thing is if I go into bluetooth pref pane keyboard is there and paired, and as I say works fine. I don't know if I can re-map any soft keys / function keys with this keyboard (because I can't get into prefs) but I would like to find out!
TIA...Larry

Hello Larry:
What are you trying to do? You can change KB shortcuts, but you cannot make a "K" key become a "Y" key.
Barry

IMovie has frozen up on me. I've tried rebooting and reinstalling the apps- no help. I can play some of the files- but I can't get into the libraries.Even when I can get something to play the whole system crashes after a few minutes. What can I do?

I desperately need your help. I was working on iMovie last night when the thing froze up on me. I've tried rebooting. I've tried reinstalling the apps. No change. I can play some of the files- although I can't tell which ones will play until they magically appear. I can't get into the project library or the event library. The bar that lets me scroll through the clips is gone. Even when I can get something to play the whole system crashes after a couple of minutes and generates a "problem report" that says "iMovie Quit Unexpectedly". This all started when I was adding cutaways- and one clip just would not load. After I tried several times everything froze up. Have you ever heard of something like this? Maybe I pushed a button or somehow changed a setting? Maybe some of the video is corrupt? What do you recommend?
Thanks for any advice you can offer!

I have tried all the above and nothing seems to work. Any other suggestions?

I have osx 10.6.8 and have lost the side scroll bars on Safari. When I go into System Preferences there is NOT an "always" option for displaying Scroll Bar. How do I get it them to display again?

When using Safari the scroll bars no longer appear on the right hand side. When I go into System Preferences the option to Always have the scroll bars displayed is NOT there. How/Where do I go to get these to show all the time?

It SHOULD be under the General tab in System Preferences:
(Note that this is a Mavericks screenshot, but it should be there in Snow Leopard, too, if indeed you're still running 10.6.8 as your profile says)
Clinton

TS3048 My keyboard will connect wirelessly but my mouse will not. I've put new batteries in the mouse and the green light is blinking but it just won't connect!!! I don't have a 'wired' mouse so I can't get into preferences etc!!! Pls help

My keyboard will connect wirelessly but my mouse will not. I have tried many times, put new batteries in etc. The Bluetooth appears to be on (as the wireless keyboard is working). I don't have a 'wired' mouse so I can't get into preferences etc. Is the mouse dead perhaps? The green light is flickering so it should be ok???
Thank you for your help
Sully (frustrated Irishman)

From what you say I would suggest the batteries are not connecting properly.
First, thoroughly clean all contacts, both inside the mouse and the contact points of the batteries. Use an alcohol based cleaner (whisky will do, hic!) dampen (not wet) cotton buds for cleaning.
Then check to see if they fit firmly. If you can shake your mouse and hear things are loose, that will be the batteries. Check the make. Apple and Duracell, in that order, are the best batteries. Where slight undersizing has been reported they are with other than the foregoing.
You can resolve the size problem with appropriate packing but that will always be a makeshift solution. After, reassemble, turn on the mouse and with luck, away you go.
Hopefully this will solve your problem but in any case let us know how you get on.
Message was edited by: seventy one

I cannot open my iphoto application. The minute I double click on the icon I get the rainbow which spins forever. I've used Applejack to repair the hd, but even that didn't work. I've getting into iphoto preferences..can't. Help!

I cannot open my iphoto application. The minute I double click on the icon I get the rainbow which spins forever. I've used Applejack to repair the hd, but even that didn't work. I've getting into iphoto preferences..can't. Help!

Option 1
Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Rebuild iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup.
If that fails:
Option 2
Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. This will create a new library based on data in the albumdata.xml file. Not everything will be brought over - no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your albums and keywords back.
Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one. .
Regards
TD

I upgraded my operating system to OS X Mountain Lion into my computer and now I cannot log in with my password. How can I get into my computer?

I upgraded my operating system to OS X Mountain Lion into my computer and now I cannot log in with my password. How can I get into my computer?

You will find directions here: https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4101

I am on a i mac osx 10.8.4 and can not get into i photo i keep recieving the message "The library could not be opened because the file system of the library's volume is unsupported.

I am on a i mac osx 10.8.4 and can not get into i photo i keep recieving the message "The library could not be opened because the file system of the library's volume is unsupported."

Where is the Library? It needs to be on a disk formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled)

I can't get into the system osx lion

I can't get into the system of my iMac osx lion

I would recommend that you try rebooting while holding down the Command - R keys to get into the Recovery Partition. There, run Disk Repair and then run Repair Permissions twice. A sizeable number of people have found that these steps solved the same problems that you are having. If that doesn't completely resolve it the the next step is to reset the PRAM, by rebooting while holding down the Command-Option-P-R keys. This may also be the problem solver you need.
Hope this helps

Safari will no longer open. I was using firefox until I could find a fix for safari. I made the mistake of changing my default search to firebox later for convenience and now I can't open my system preference or many safari or apple linked files.

Safari will no longer open. It just goes back to my desktop. When I right click on the safari icon in my dashboard it says it is open. I was using firefox until I could find a fix for safari. I made the mistake of changing my default search to firebox later for convenience and now I can't open my system preference or many safari or apple linked files. Some of my emails from trusted sites won't open and does the same thing.
I upgraded my original system from 10.4.11 to I believe 10.6. something about a year or so ago. I thought about re installing my safari app but when I go to open anything connected to safari my screen goes back to the desktop. I cant open any files that I have on my desktop that I set up through safari, like my banking program. Prior to changing system preference to safari default I was able to open those files and now I can't get into change it back. Can you guide me through this?
Thanks,
Betty

Try running the 10.6.8 combo update.
10.6.8 Combo Updater
System Preferences or Safari Preferences?
Do a backup.
Quit the application.
Go to Finder and select your user/home folder. Select Library. Then go to Preferences/com.apple.Safari.plist. Move the .plist to your desktop.
Restart the computer, open the application and test. If it works okay, delete the plist from the desktop.
If the application is the same, return the .plist to where you got it from, overwriting the newer one.

Hi! I have a WD my book external hard drive plugged into my imac and I want to share it over my network with my apple tv. I went into system preferences sharing, checked "file sharing" and added my external hard drive to the shared folder. So now it is

Hi!
I have a WD my book external hard drive plugged into my imac and I want to share it over my network with my apple tv. I went into system preferences > sharing, checked "file sharing" and added my external hard drive to the shared folder. So now it is listed in "shared folders" but under "users" everything is grayed out (it says "read and write" for "everyone" - but "read and write" is grayed out, and it doesn't let me add or subtract users). Now I can access all of the folders I shared from my imac except for the externalhard drive. What's going on?

Hi RRFS!,thanks for help.I forgot to tell that hard drive has 2 partitions 1:format :Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and that works properly,2:format:MS-DOS (FAT32) and when i "get info" for both :first has shering & permitions:You can read and write - with name and privilege, second has shaing & prermissions:You can read and write- without name and privilege

I have a macbook pro version 10.7.5 and my mailbox will not open at all and comes up with a quit message even though it is not open. how can i get into my account. it works on my iPhone an i have internet and all other functions working on my computer

I have a macbook pro version 10.7.5 and my mailbox will not open at all and comes up with a quit message even though it is not open. how can i get into my account. it works on my iPhone and i have internet and all other functions working on my computer

Launch the Console application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Console in the icon grid.
Step 1
Make sure the title of the Console window is All Messages. If it isn't, select All Messages from the SYSTEM LOG QUERIES menu on the left. If you don't see that menu, select
View ▹ Show Log List
from the menu bar.
Enter the name of the crashed application or process in the Filter text field. Select the messages from the time of the last crash, if any. Copy them to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C. Paste into a reply to this message by pressing command-V.
When posting a log extract, be selective. In most cases, a few dozen lines are more than enough.
Please do not indiscriminately dump thousands of lines from the log into this discussion.
Important: Some private information, such as your name, may appear in the log. Anonymize before posting.
Step 2
In the Console window, look under User Diagnostic Reports (not "Diagnostic and Usage Messages") for crash reports related to the crashed process. The report name starts with the name of the process, and ends with ".crash". Select the most recent report and post the entire contents—the text, not a screenshot. I know the report is long. Please post all of it anyway.
In the interest of privacy, I suggest that, before posting, you edit out the “Anonymous UUID,” a long string of letters, numbers, and dashes in the header of the report, if it’s present (it may not be.)
Please don’t post other kinds of diagnostic report—they're very long and rarely helpful.

Balky trackpad - Can't get into System Preference

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