Can't Access Desktop & Screen Saver Preferences

Hi everyone,
Can't figure this one out!!!
In the main System Preferences>Show All, the title of Desktop & Screen Saver icon has changed to "DesktopScreenEffectsPrefDock". It is all smashed together like that and partially overlays the "Appearance" title to the left of it.
When I click on the icon, the new window appears, but the Desktop & Screen Saver preferences don't display inside it. The title appears in the top bar of the window, but it is empty below that. Any other preferences icons I click on display fine.
Any thoughts?
I did just have the processor upgrade done, and also removed some bad memory. Not sure if that's contributing? I'd be grateful for any help.
TJ
G4 800 MHz, upgraded to dual 1.8MHz processor Mac OS X (10.3.9)
G4 800 MHz Mac OS X (10.3.9)
G4 800 MHz Mac OS X (10.3.9) Recent upgrade to Sonnet Duet Dual 1.8 GHz processor
G4 800 MHz Mac OS X (10.3.9) Recent upgrade to Sonnet Duet Dual 1.8 GHz processor

TJ,
I am unfamiliar with all of the options provided by YASU, and other than flipping a coin or throwing caution to the wind I am unable to advise.
Perhaps an Archive and Install followed by the 10.3.9 Combo Update, and Security Update 2006-003 (10.3.9 Client) may be called for.
;~)

Similar Messages

Can't open Desktop & Screen Saver preference panel

I tried to d/l a new screen saver. I double clicked it and now it only say "Loading Deskotp & Screen Saver"
I've since deleted the moduel, but the system continues to say "Loading Deskotp & Screen Saver" when trying to open that preference.
The other gotcha is that the machine is binded to Active Directory and I'm logged on using my AD account. Which is administrative account on the iMac as well.
What can I delete to fix this problem? Since it's not a local user, I can't delete the /Users/<name> folder to reset everthing.
Any thoughts?
Thank you.
iMac 17' 1.83GHz Intel Duo Core
OS X 10.4.7

Here is a more general question...
If I logon to a Mac using my Active Directoy account, where is that information stored?
For some reason, the /Users folder is not populating with with the network accounts.
They have to be stored somewhere to keep each users customized changes.

Preferences error, could not load Desktop & Screen Saver preference pane.

Preferences error, could not load Desktop & Screen Saver preference pane.

Close all windows and quit all applications.
Hold the option key down and click the "Go" menu in the Finder menubar.
Select "Library" from the dropdown, then "Preferences" folder.
Look for these three files.
com.apple.screensaver.plist
com.apple.desktop.plist
com.apple.systempreferences.plist
Right click each one of those and select " Move To Trash" from the contextual menu.
Restart the computer.

Could not load Desktop & Screen Saver preference pane.

Upgraded 10.10.3. Tried to use "desktop & ScreenSaver" system preferences and only get this message...
Could not load Desktop & Screen Saver preference pane.
Help!

If you see a "could not load" alert when opening a System Preferences pane

System Pref's freeze when trying to access "Desktop & Screen Saver"

Hi.
Every time I access the Desktop & Screen Saver category from the System Pref's window, the System Pref's freeze up (spinning beach ball of death appears) and I have to force quit.
Any thoughts?
Thanks all.
vanessa_b

Apparently, there's corruption somewhere. Move the com.apple.desktop.plist and com.apple.systempreferences.plist files out of ~/Library/Preferences/ to the desktop, move the three or four com.apple.screensaver plist files out of ~/Library/Preferences/ByHost/ to the desktop, log out and back in. Now try to set the Desktop & Screensaver PrefPane. Note that you'll have to reset some items in System Preferences. If that fixes the problem, then one or more of those plist files is the culprit. You have two options. Reset your System Prefs and throw away the files you moved to the desktop or replace the new ones with the ones you took out, one at a time, until you find the one causing the problem.

Could not load Desktop & Screen Saver Preference panel

Problem description:
Could not load Desktop & Scree Saver Preference pane
EtreCheck version: 2.1.5 (108)
Report generated January 13, 2015 at 8:48:56 PM PST
Click the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.
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Hardware Information: ℹ️
MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2012) (Verified)
MacBook Air - model: MacBookAir5,2
1 1.8 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 2-core
4 GB RAM Not upgradeable
BANK 0/DIMM0
2 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok
BANK 1/DIMM0
2 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok
Bluetooth: Good - Handoff/Airdrop2 supported
Wireless: en0: 802.11 a/b/g/n
Video Information: ℹ️
Intel HD Graphics 4000
Color LCD 1440 x 900
System Software: ℹ️
OS X 10.10.1 (14B25) - Uptime: 0:20:19
Disk Information: ℹ️
APPLE SSD SM256E disk0 : (251 GB)
EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB
Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted> [Recovery]: 650 MB
MAC BOOK AIR (disk1) / : 249.77 GB (145.31 GB free)
Encrypted AES-XTS Unlocked
Core Storage: disk0s2 250.14 GB Online
USB Information: ℹ️
Western Digital My Passport 0748 1 TB
EFI (disk2s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB
My Passport for Mac (disk2s2) /Volumes/My Passport for Mac : 999.83 GB (809.84 GB free)
Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)
Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad
Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub
Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller
Apple Internal Memory Card Reader
Thunderbolt Information: ℹ️
Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus
Gatekeeper: ℹ️
Anywhere
Kernel Extensions: ℹ️
/Library/Application Support/Avast/components/fileshield/unsigned
[loaded] com.avast.AvastFileShield (2.1.0 - SDK 10.9) [Support]
/Library/Application Support/Avast/components/proxy/unsigned
[loaded] com.avast.PacketForwarder (2.0 - SDK 10.9) [Support]
/System/Library/Extensions
[not loaded] com.marvell.kext.USBGenericPrinterClass (1.0.0) [Support]
[not loaded] com.wdc.driver.1394.64.10.9 (1.0.1 - SDK 10.9) [Support]
[not loaded] com.wdc.driver.1394HP (1.0.9) [Support]
[loaded] com.wdc.driver.USB.64.10.9 (1.0.1 - SDK 10.9) [Support]
[not loaded] com.wdc.driver.USBHP (1.0.11) [Support]
/Users/[redacted]/Downloads/WD +TURBO Installer 2.app
[not loaded] com.wdc.driver.1394_64HP (1.0.1 - SDK 10.6) [Support]
[not loaded] com.wdc.driver.USB-64HP (1.0.3) [Support]
Launch Agents: ℹ️
[loaded] com.avast.userinit.plist [Support]
[loaded] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist [Support]
Launch Daemons: ℹ️
[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Support]
[loaded] com.avast.init.plist [Support]
[loaded] com.avast.uninstall.plist [Support]
[failed] com.avast.update.plist [Support]
[loaded] com.creativebe.MainMenuHelper.plist [Support]
[loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac2.Agent.plist [Support]
[loaded] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist [Support]
[running] com.wdc.SmartwareDriveService.plist [Support]
[running] com.wdc.WDSmartWareService.plist [Support]
[loaded] com.westerndigital.ErasePrivilegedHelper.plist [Support]
User Launch Agents: ℹ️
[invalid?] com.avast.home.userinit.plist [Support]
[running] com.google.Chrome.framework.plist [Support]
[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist [Support]
[running] com.hp.printerAgent.plist [Support]
[loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac2Helper.diskSpaceWatcher.plist [Support]
[loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac2Helper.scheduledScan.plist [Support]
[loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac2Helper.trashWatcher.plist [Support]
User Login Items: ℹ️
Garmin Express Service Application (/Applications/Garmin Express.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/Garmin Express Service.app)
iTunesHelper Application (/Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS/iTunesHelper.app)
WDDriveUtilityHelper Application (/Applications/WD Drive Utilities.app/Contents/WDDriveUtilityHelper.app)
WDSecurityHelper Application (/Users/[redacted]/Downloads/WD Security.app/Contents/WDSecurityHelper.app)
WD Quick View Application (/Library/Application Support/WDSmartWare/WDQuickView.app)
Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️
FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 16.0.0.257 - SDK 10.6 [Support]
Default Browser: Version: 600 - SDK 10.10
AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 11.0.04 - SDK 10.6 [Support]
AdobePDFViewer: Version: 11.0.04 - SDK 10.6 [Support]
Flash Player: Version: 16.0.0.257 - SDK 10.6 [Support]
QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3
GarminGpsControl: Version: 4.0.4.0 Release - SDK 10.6 [Support]
JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 7 Update 71 Check version
User internet Plug-ins: ℹ️
Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 7.0 [Support]
Safari Extensions: ℹ️
SiteAdvisor [Installed]
Ultimate [Installed]
3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️
Flash Player [Support]
Java [Support]
WDQuickView [Support]
Time Machine: ℹ️
Skip System Files: NO
Mobile backups: ON
Auto backup: YES
Volumes being backed up:
MAC BOOK AIR: Disk size: 249.77 GB Disk used: 104.46 GB
Destinations:
My Passport for Mac [Local]
Total size: 999.83 GB
Total number of backups: 32
Oldest backup: 2014-12-18 01:16:24 +0000
Last backup: 2015-01-14 02:57:18 +0000
Size of backup disk: Excellent
Backup size 999.83 GB > (Disk size 249.77 GB X 3)
2nd BACKUP [Local]
Total size: 1.00 TB
Total number of backups: 11
Oldest backup: 2014-10-23 02:58:33 +0000
Last backup: 2015-01-12 20:17:13 +0000
Size of backup disk: Excellent
Backup size 1.00 TB > (Disk size 249.77 GB X 3)
Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️
      13% WindowServer
      7% Google Chrome
      1% fontd
      0% AppleSpell
      0% SystemUIServer
Top Processes by Memory: ℹ️
155 MB Google Chrome
116 MB com.avast.daemon
103 MB mds_stores
64 MB ocspd
60 MB Finder
Virtual Memory Information: ℹ️
76 MB Free RAM
1.74 GB Active RAM
1.63 GB Inactive RAM
694 MB Wired RAM
2.41 GB Page-ins
524 KB Page-outs
Diagnostics Information: ℹ️
Jan 13, 2015, 08:29:12 PM Self test - passed
Jan 11, 2015, 07:43:25 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.avast.daemon_2015-01-11-194325_[redacted].c pu_resource.diag [Details]

First follow the instructions in this support article.
If an iPhoto or Aperture library is the source of your desktop pictures, it may need to be rebuilt, or you may need to update the application to the latest version.
Otherwise, continue as below.
Back up all data.
In the Finder, hold down the option key and select
          Go ▹ Library
from the menu bar. From the Library folder, delete the following item, if it exists:
          Caches/com.apple.systempreferences
and move the following items to the Desktop, if they exist:
          Application Support/Dock/desktoppicture.db
          Preferences/com.apple.desktop.plist
Launch System Preferences and test. If you still have the issue, put the items you moved to the Desktop back where they came from and post again. Otherwise, delete the items.

Can't access Desktop and Screensaver Preferences

Hello,
I have had my macbook for 3 months and absolutely love it. I just have one problem which has occurred over the last couple or days.
When I go into the System Preferences folder I cannot access the Desktop and Screensaver Preferences. And instead of the regular icon for this, there is the System Preferences icon and the letters are jumbled below the icon.
I've searched through this forum to find a solution and have followed the following steps, to no avail:
I've checked for software update but my computer is updated
Have used Disk Repair using startup disk, but no errors found
Downloaded and ran Yasu, to clear check and clear caches
Deleted apple.com.screensaver.xxx.plist - in Home/library/Preferences/Byhost
Finally, I attempted to delete com.apple.preferencepanes.cache, and also com.apple.preferencepanes.searchindex.cache, but they always reappear in the Cache folder, no matter if I move them to desktop and delete them, or just put them straight in the Trash.
This all sounds really longwinded, sorry if it's unnecessarily long. I hope someone is able to help!
Cheers.
Tokyoanna
Macbook Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Read this...
http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.php/archive/macosgdiagnosing_a_system_preferencesproblem
-Bmer
Mac Owners Support Group
Join Us @ MacOSG.com
ITMS: MacOSG Podcast
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How can I stop my screen saver preferences pane from freezing up? every time i try to access it I get the spinning beach ball. Running 10.8.4

Every time I open the desktop/screensaver pane in system preferences it freezes. Does anyone know how I can fix this?

That's caused by a bug in automatic login, which corrupts the Desktop settings file, so delete it.
Open a Finder window, select Go menu (on the menu bar) > Go to Folder, and type ~/Library/Preferences. Then, delete "com.apple.desktop.plist" and "com.apple.systempreferences.plist", and restart. OS X will create a new Desktop file in the next startup

Desktop & Screen Saver pane won't open in System Preferences

Whenever I go to open the Desktop & Screen Saver pane in System Preferences, it won't work and I get the message "Preferences Error: Could not load Desktop & Screen Saver preference pane." Please help. Thank you very much.

This thread sounds pretty much the same as yours.....
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1521783
The only thing I can think of might be a corrupted System Preferences .plist file
Home folder > Library > Preferences > com.apple.systempreferences.plist > drag that .plist to the desktop and try System Preferences again.....
A new plist file will be created when you open System Preferences again....

System Preferences- Desktop/Screen saver- crash EVERY TIME

Hi-
I have a brand new iMAc 24" with Leopard and all software is up to date via update as of 12 hours ago (10.5.1 etc). I have office 2004 and photoshop/illustrator but NO other software loaded. The computer is now 7 days old. Yesterday I used system preferences to change my desktop picture to something from my iPhoto library, as per normal with 10.5.1 I got one picture up and then went to change it and now EVERY TIME I try to change anything in the desktop/screen saver system preferences the application dies. I can get the desktop/screen saver page to open but as soon as I click any conceivable option on that window the system preferences application dies. I have sent about 7 crash reports to apple and see that others are describing similar (not identical) problems. Is apple going to fix this? I DID not install leopard on this computer, its BRAND NEW. The only thing I have done is to update whatever apple told me was available. HELP...

My computer was a month old when I installed Leopard (which turned out to be an adventure....), and once I finally got a proper install one of the features I explored was Desktop and Screensaver, specifically I tried the new mosaic option in the Screensaver for pictures, it seemed to work. The 10.5.1 update came out, a bit later I tried that Screensaver option again and not only did it not work, but it crashed System Prefs. I ended up trashing every plist and cache file having to do with System Prefs, Screensaver, and iphotomosaic in my home ~/Library folder. Oh, and in searching for them they managed to crash the Finder too. So take a look thru ~/Library, especially Preferences, be sure to also look in the ByHost folder, and you might also check the Caches folder. Remove all files you can find that have to do with System Prefs, Screensaver, and Desktop. Once I did that all was fine again with my System Prefs. The mosaic option even started working again.
Francine
Francine
Schwieder

My screen saver preferences CRASHES!

So, this is pretty simple.
I don't have a way to change my desktop background nor my screen saver, cause every time i try to do that. the desktop/screen saver window CRASHES!...
I tried restarting, I already report the issue with apple... but i don't know what i can do!... I mean, there's a way to fix or to restore that specific part of the OS?
or, hmmm... i don't know!... I'm very confused!...
Some other details: I have the "iTunes artwork" screen saver, (i don't know why) but that may be the cause of the crash... maybe it doesn't find a file or a specification...
THANKS A LOT! =D

Hi, abrahamca. Welcome to the Discussions.
You wrote: "I don't have a way to change my desktop background nor my screen saver, cause every time i try to do that. the desktop/screen saver window CRASHES!..."I presume you mean that when you attempt to select the "Desktop & Screen Saver" preference pane in System Preferences, this results in System Preferences quitting unexpectedly.
If so, try the following:
1. Quit (Command-Q) System Preferences if it is open.
2. Trash the following two files in your Home > Library > Preferences folder:
• com.apple.systempreferences.plist
• com.apple.desktop.plist
3. Trash the following files in your Home > Library > Preferences > ByHost folder:
(a) com.apple.systempreferences.xxx.plist
(b) com.apple.screensaver.xxx.plist
(c) com.apple.screensaver.screensaver_name.xxx.plist
where• xxx is an alphanumeric string, and
• screensaver_name is the name of a screen saver you have used.Whether preferences files of the type shown in (c) exist depends upon the screen saver and if you have changed its options, if any.
4. Open your Home > Library > Caches folder, then trash the following two files therein:
• com.apple.preferencepanes.cache
• com.apple.preferencepanes.searchindexcache
5. Empty the Trash.
6. Launch System Preferences and see if all is well. If so, reset Desktop & Screen Saver preferences accordingly.
Note that some of the information above is from the "System Preferences" chapter of my book, Troubleshooting Mac® OS X, Tiger Edition.
Good luck!
Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X

Could not load Desktop & Screen Saver

I got this error message when opening Sys Pref / Desktop Screen Saver, "Could not load Desktop & Screen Saver preference pane." Just loaded Yosemite on
iMac 10.1. Any suggestions?
Thanks

If you see a "could not load" alert when opening a System Preferences pane

I was changing my desktop screen saver in system preferences screen protection. Now it says it is "Loading Images" and won't stop. The Colourful wheel goes around for ever and It does not stop. Can anyone help me?

I was changing my desktop screen saver in system preferences>screen protection. Now it says it is "Loading Images" and won't stop. The Colourful wheel goes around for ever and It does not stop. Can anyone help me?

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
I have seen a lot of cases like your issue, and it's easy to solve.
First, open Disk Utility, select Macintosh HD in the sidebar and repair permissions. Sometimes, a permission can be damaged and it makes that an application doesn't work properly.
If that doesn't work, open Finder, select Go menu > Go to Folder, type ~/Library/Prefereces, delete "com.apple.desktop.plist" and "com.apple.systempreferences.plist" and restart

Can picture folders added in the Desktop & Screen Saver Pane be deleted?

Can I delete folders I've added with the Choose Folder option in Desktop & Screen Saver?

Whew, what an ordeal they make it!?
Trash any/all of these...
/Users/nnnn/Library/Preferences/com.apple.desktop.plist
/Users/nnnn/Library/Preferences/ByHost/com.apple.screensaver.(12 digit hex number).plist
/Users/nnnn/Library/Preferences/ByHost/com.apple.screensaver.slideshow.(12 digit hex number).plist

Desktop/Screen Saver panel missing in System Preferences

Hello,
I recently had to have my hard drive changed and I reloaded OSX 10.6.8 back on it along with the applications DVD. Now when I go to the system preferences, the DESKTOP/SCREEN SAVER panel is no longer listed. I am very new to my Imac and tried to reinstall the applications disk. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to fix this problem so I can change the desktop pictures? Thanks

Open System Preferences and go to View menu (on the menu bar). You should see Desktop & Screen Saver listed.
If you see it, go to View menu > Customize, and mark "Desktop & Screen Saver".
If you do not see it, insert the Snow Leopard DVD, hold the C key while your computer is starting up and reinstall Mac OS X

Can't Access Desktop & Screen Saver Preferences

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