Cannot open desktop and applications icons

Question

Hi I would appreciate your help. I have had this computer for a year and lately I cannot open desk top icons and icons in applications folder. Someone suggested
holding the control key and then a menu comes on and ask to open and it works. But
there must be a better way. I am a writer and a translator so I need this option to work. I really appreciate your help. Many thanks

Answer 1

Hello Pilatesteacher and welcome to the forums!
If you really are still on 10.4.8 and have never updated your system, perhaps you have also not realised the importance of a little maintenance from time to time, the most important, and easy, of which is:
Repairing permissions, which should also always be carried out both before and after any software installation or update.
Go to Disk Utility (this is in your Utilities Folder in your Application folder) and click on the icon of your hard disk (not the one with all the numbers).
In First Aid, click on Repair Permissions.
This only takes a minute or two.
Background information here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25751
and here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302672
An article on troubleshooting Permissions can be found here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2963
If you were having any serious problems with your Mac you might as well complete the exercise by repairing your hard disk as well. You cannot do this from the same start-up disk. Reboot from your install disk (holding down the C key). Once it opens, select your language, and then go to Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. Select your hard disk as before and click Repair.
Once that is complete reboot again from your usual start-up disk.
More useful reading here:
Resolve startup issues and perform disk maintenance with Disk Utility and fsck
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1417