Deleted a system file, now nothing works

Hi,
I downloaded and used a 3rd party file that changes the login window UI, but decided yesterday I wanted it back to normal, I had a backup of the original file already in the directory, so I deleted the file and double clicked the zip file (thinking stupidly this was it done).
But it appears I've deleted the file and the file didn't unzip and now my mac won't boot up at all, it's stuck in an endless blue screen loop at the login window.
The directory is - System/Library/CoreServices/SecurityAgentPlugins
and the file itself in that folder is - loginwindow.bundle
So I've completely screwed things up, here is the things I have tried and failed:
- Holding 'C' with Snow Leopard Installation CD (the CD is a bit scratched, don't know if that's relevant to it not working)
- Holding 'C' with Leopard Installation CD
- Booting into safe mode
- Booting into single user mode (successfully) and tried /sbin/fsck -fy (it repaired something but it still doesn't boot)
I was hoping I could archive and install from the OS DVD, but for some reason it doesn't seem responsive (blank white screen, or at one point just shutdown my macbook).
All because of one system file?
Is there anyway I can unzip the file back to where it should be? Is there anyway I can archive and install from single user mode? Is there anyway I can repair the system files to default from single user mode? Or do a OS DVD repair from single user mode? Better yet - is there anyway I can completely bypass the login GUI window?
I know the exact file, I have the default file in the correct directory, I know where the problem is - I just can't get to it.
I really don't want to loose everything on my HD.

If you're unable to boot from a Mac OS X install disk, there are a few possible reasons:
1) The disk is damaged
2) The disk is not appropriate for the computer
3) The optical drive is damaged
4) There's some other hardware problem
5) The hard drive is so badly corrupted that you can't boot from anything (rare, I've only seen a confirmed case like this once)
6) You have a peripheral connected that is interfering
If #1 is the case, there's not much you can do but replace the disk. In the case of #2, note that gray disks that shipped with a different machine won't work and that [you can't install an older system than what shipped on your machine|http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2186]. #3 is probably only diagnosable (is that a word?) if your system is working (so you can test other disks) or if Apple takes a look at it. #4 can be tested with [Apple Hardware Test|http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1509], if you can manage to boot into that. And #5 can be difficult to fix, usually involving the assistance of another machine (for example, you could boot in [FireWire target mode|http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661] and try repairing with something like [DiskWarrior|http://www.alsoft.com/DiskWarrior/index.html] or just erase the drive). Finally, #6 is easy to test - just unplug everything but the keyboard and mouse and test again.
Since fsck reported errors on your drive that had to be repaired, #5 could be possible, but then I would think it wouldn't boot into single-user mode. Try going back to single-user mode and keep running fsck repeatedly until no problems are found (or until you're reasonably sure they won't be fixed).
Unfortunately, since we know your hard drive was damaged, you may have already lost everything on the drive if you didn't have backups.

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Won't boot from install discs after deleting some system files

I've been looking through the forum and haven't found an answer to my problem - maybe someone can help me out.
I have an aluminum Powerbook G4, 1.67, 1.5 RAM, 10.4.11. I was experiencing the problem with FCE capturing video for about 5 minutes and then freezing, and I read some threads here about how this can be fixed by returning to Quicktime 7.2 and installing it with Pacifist. I did this, but first tried to delete my previous Quicktime version files, and obviously I deleted some system files in the process. That's how my new problem started.
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I did just have a repair by Apple - my adaptor plug sparked when inserting it into the outlet, and I had to have the logic board replaced. But the computer seemed to be working fine when I got it back, except for the FCE issue first mentioned. Looks like my good intentions have done me in.
The install disc is about three years old, and is in good condition. It's been in the garage, so could heat or cold affect the readability of the disc?
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Hi bboross,
Tough without a Tiger Disk, but try fsck...
To use fsck, you must run it from the command line. Unlike using your mouse to open an application to do something, you'll need to type a text command at the prompt (#) to tell fsck what to do. The Terminal application (/Applications/Utilities) and single-user mode are two examples of command-line interfaces in which you can type such commands. To use fsck:
1. Start up your computer in single-user mode to reach the command line. Hold CMD+s keys down at bootup. Note: If necessary, perform a forced restart as described in the Emergency Troubleshooting Handbook that came with your computer. On desktop computers, you can do this by pressing the reset/interrupt button (if there is one) or holding down the power button for several seconds. On portable computers, simultaneously press the Command-Control-power keys. If your portable computer doesn't restart with this method, you may need to reset the Power Manager.
2. At the command-line prompt, type /sbin/fsck -fy
(space between fsck and -fy important)
3. Press Return. fsck will go through five "phases" and then return information about your disk's use and fragmentation. Once it finishes, it'll display this message if no issue is found: ** The volume (nameofvolume) appears to be OK  If fsck found issues and has altered, repaired, or fixed anything, it will display this message: *** FILE SYSTEM WAS MODIFIED ***   Important: If this message appears, repeat the fsck command you typed in step 2 until fsck tells you that your volume appears to be OK (first-pass repairs may uncover additional issues, so this is a normal thing to do).
4. When fsck reports that your volume is OK, type reboot at the prompt and then press Return.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
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My father-in-law was having some trouble with his pc, so he decided to reinstall his OS. Now nothing works; we have bare-bones OS with no connectivity to anything. I believe he may have completely reformatted his hard drive, possibly deleting some system files? We can't even connect to the internet, looks like the network adapter no longer has a driver installed.
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Hi:
No doubt the PC is missing several key drivers for the hardware.
The devices needing drivers will be listed in the device manager under an Other Devices category and they will all have little ! marks next to them.
One of them is probably the ethernet controller.
You need this driver for that so you can connect to the internet by wire.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?softwareitem=cp-95742-1&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&...
You will find the rest of the drivers you need at the link below.
Most of them will be under the Original Drivers category.
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There may be a problem with UI files inside system directories, so your files are not 100% lost. You need to check it.
Do you have a recovery flash drive for OS X, bootable OS X flash drive? If so, you can boot iMac from that drive and just fix the system on your computer.
If you don't have, you should create it (at least for safety in similar situations) with another mac or pc.
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I accidentally deleted hidden system files! Please help!

Hi guys.
Well after purchasing a mint MBP today running Mountain Lion, I wanted to "tidy up" the desktop and Finder. I saw many hidden files and thought it was very peculiar as my iMac hasn't got anything of the kind. I thought it could have been some files from a USB that were left there from previous usage. Anyway, I've ended up deleting key system files which now causes the MacBook to fail boot and keep restarting.
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To install Lion that belongs to you will require you to repartition the drive first. You cannot do a simple reinstall of Lion over a Mountain Lion system. You will need to follow this guide instead:
Install Lion/Mountain Lion on a New HDD/SDD
Be sure you backup your files to an external drive or second internal drive because the following procedure will remove everything from the hard drive.
Boot to the Internet Recovery HD:
Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND-OPTION- R keys until a globe appears on the screen. Wait patiently - 15-20 minutes - until the Recovery main menu appears.
Partition and Format the hard drive:
1. Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.
2. After DU loads select your external hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed. Quit DU and return to the main menu.
Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion: Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion and click on the Install button. Be sure to select the correct drive to use if you have more than one.
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.
This is the procedure you must go through because your hard drive does not have a Lion version of the Recovery HD.

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What OS version are you on? You're not running iOS 6.1.2 on it.
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Hi All,
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I may have deleted some system files from my computer due to my antivirus and now my imac won't start. Actually it does, and then there is a blank screeen with the apple logo and it shuts down right away. is tehre a possibility of recovering my files?

Hello
I was having some problems with my Imac, for a while it was slow and often disconneceted from my wifi, while this one worked perfectly (tested with other devices)
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If MacKeeper corrupted the Recovery partition then even I underestimated its potential for damage. Garbage "cleaning" apps will cause misery but I have not found that the Recovery partition to have been affected by using MacKeeper or anything like it. I doubt that it did so, but I have learned not to underestimate the potential for such things to result in system corruption.
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An Internet connection will be required (wired or wireless).
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Error trying to update, now nothing works

Hi, can anyone help me?
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Before finishing the update a message appeared saying that my ipod could not be updated. And now it's not working anymore, all it does is show on the screen the iTunes logo and a cable pointing to the logo (obviously saying for me to try to sync).
I've tried everything that I can think of to fix this... restarting pc, the "so called" reseting of the ipod, changing the usb plug and using another cable. I've even tryed to install the old version of itunes. But nothing happens the pc and itunes won't recognize the device.
It was working fine before this, I use the device everyday.
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Firstly delete the .ipsw file on the computer
usually @ C:\Documents and Settings\MY_USER\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates
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Updated Software and now nothing works

I just recently done a software update to my Macbook Pro and when it had finished and I went to use the likes of Mozilla or Safari, they wouldnt work. Tried to use the system update again, it wouldn't work. So basically nothing will open at all. Anyone got any suggestions as to what I could do so it will work?

Did you restart your Mac after the installs, and repair permissions?
Some general advice on updating:
It is worth noting that it is an extreme rarity for updates to cause upsets to your system, as they have all been extensively beta-tested, but they may well reveal pre-existing ones, particularly those of which you may have been unaware. If you are actually aware of any glitches, make sure they are fixed before proceeding further.
So before you do anything else:
If you can, make a full backup first to an external hard disk. Ideally you should always have a bootable clone of your system that enables you to revert to the previous pre-update state.
Turn off sleep mode for both screen and hard disk.
Disconnect all peripherals except your keyboard and mouse.
1. Repair Permissions (in Disk Utility)
2. Verify the state of your hard disk using Disk Utility. If any faults are reported, restart from your install disk (holding down the C key), go to Disk Utility, and repair your startup disk. Restart again to get back to your startup disk.
At least you can now be reasonably certain that your system does not contain any obvious faults that might cause an update/upgrade to fail.
3. Download the correct version of the COMBO update from the Apple download site.
The Combo updater of Leopard 10.5.8 can be found here:
http://support.apple.com/downloads/MacOS_X_10_5_8_ComboUpdate
If you prefer to download updates via Software Update in the Apple menu (which would ensure that the correct version for your Mac was being downloaded), it is not recommended to allow SU to install major (or even minor) updates automatically. Set Software Update to just download the updater without immediately installing it. There is always the possibility that the combined download and install (which can be a lengthy process) might be interrupted by a power outage or your cat walking across the keyboard, and an interrupted install will almost certainly cause havoc. Once it is downloaded, you can install at a time that suits you. You should make a backup copy of the updater on a CD in case you ever need a reinstall.
Full details about the 10.5.8 update here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3606
More information on using Software Updater here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TA24901?viewlocale=en_US
Using the Combo updater ensures that all system files changed since the original 10.5.0 are included, and any that may have been missed out or subsequently damaged will be repaired. The Delta updater, although a temptingly smaller download, only takes you from the previous version to the new one, i.e. for example from 10.5.7 to 10.5.8. Software Update will generally download the Delta updater only. The preferable Combo updater needs to be downloaded from Apple's download site.
Now proceed as follows:
4. Close all applications and turn off energy saving and screensaver.
5. Unplug all peripherals except your keyboard and mouse.
6. Install the update/upgrade. Do not under any circumstances interrupt this procedure. Do not do anything else on your computer while it is installing. Be patient.
7. When it ask for a restart to complete the installation, click restart. This can take longer than normal, there are probably thousands of files to overwrite and place in the correct location. Do nothing while this is going on.
8. Once your Mac is awake, repair permissions again, and you should be good to go!
If your Mac seems slightly sluggish or ‘different’, perform a second restart. It can’t hurt and is sometimes efficacious! In fact a second restart can be recommended.
9. Open a few of your most used applications and check that all is OK. In this connection please remember that not all manufacturers of third party applications and plug-ins, add-ons, haxies etc, will have had time to do any necessary rewrites to their software to make them compliant with the latest version of your operating system. Give them a week or two while you regularly check their websites for updates. This applies particularly to plug-ins for Safari 4.
N.B. Do not attempt to install two different updates at the same time as each may have different routines and requirements. Follow the above recommendations for each update in turn.
Lastly, Apple's own article on the subject of Software Update may also be useful reading:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106695
If you are updating Safari (or just have):
Input Managers from third parties can do as much harm as good. They use a security loophole to reach right into your applications' code and change that code as the application starts up. If you have installed an OS update and Safari is crashing, the very first thing to do is clear out your InputManagers folders (both in your own Library and in the top-level /Library), log out and log back in, and try again.
So, disable all third party add-ons before updating Safari, as they may not have been updated yet for the new version. Add them back one by one. If something goes awry, remove it again and check on the software manufacturer's website for news of an update to match your version of Safari.
Most errors reported here after an update are due to an unrepaired or undetected inherent fault in the system, and/or a third party add-on.
Additional tips on software installation here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106692
To reiterate, Input Managers reach right into an application and alter its code. This puts the behavior of the affected application outside the control and responsibility of its developers: a recipe for problems. That's not to say that issues absolutely will ensue as a result of Input Managers, but you, as a user, must decide. If the functionality of a specific Input Manager or set thereof is really important to you, you may well choose to assume the associated risk.
Again, the advice is to remove all Input Managers from the following directories:
• /Library/InputManagers
• ~/Library/InputManagers
especially prior to system updates (they can always be added back one-by-one later).

Deleted a system file, now nothing works

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