Deleted system preferences?

Hi there,
I recently un-installed Adobe CS3 from my new MacBook Aluminum. I used a program called AppDelete as well as Adobe's own uninstaller (I didn't trust it to get rid of everything itself) and deleted anything that had "Adobe" in the title basically.
Since then, after re-starting, none of my system prefs are being acknowledged. I can't change my desktop, even though I can select the picture. Nothing changes. The rest of the system prefs seem to change, but are erased again after a re-start. I'm afraid I may have deleted something important (obviously) and am looking at re-installing the OS....unless anyone has any less drastic ideas??
Please and thanks

Ok, then move it to the desktop.
When you re-open System Preferences, it will make a new one.
If it works now, trash the desktop version; if not, trash the new one and move the old one back.
ps: with a few exceptions, the new one will have all the original defaults that came with the OS, so you'll want to review all of them.

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http://www.macworld.com/article/2155980/os-x-10-9-3-unhiding-the-users-folder.ht ml
https://discussions.apple.com/message/24942345#24942345

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My friend, REALLY, inadvertently deleted his system preferences ... he managed to retrieve most functionality by copying the 'Previous Systems' folder contents into a new S prefs folder ... in the process of doing this he has lost at least two applications ... Preview and Photo Booth ... does anybody know if it is possible to solve this problem without doing a clean installation?
Thanks
Duncan

Hi Duncan, it appears to be time for a relatively painless Archive & Install, which gives you a new/old OS, but can preserve all your files, pics, music, settings, etc., as long as you have plenty of free disk space and no Disk corruption, and is relatively quick & painless...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107120
Just be sure to select Preserve Users & Settings.
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http://www.charlessoft.com/
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However i want to get a link back to it on to my dock, and in finder. Do i have to create an 'alias'/''shortcut' and if so how and where do i do this from.
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Hi again Jon,
You stated in your original post that you are able to fire up System Preferences from the Apple menu (top left of the menubar). If that's the case, do the following:
1. Fire up System Preferences from the Apple menu.
2. The System Preferences icon should now be in the dock as the dock displays all open applications/utilities.
3. Click and hold on the System Preferences icon in the dock.
4. In the menu that appears, scroll down and select Keep in Dock. That takes care of having System Preferences in the Dock issue.
5. Click and hold again on the System Preferences icon.
6. In the same menu that appears, scroll down and select Show In Finder
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HELP: System Preferences and Safari deleted

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my sister accidentally deleted System Preferences.
Don't let her use an admin account from now on. Make her a separate account to use, and don't give it admin privileges.
It's no longer in the /applications folder and won't launch from the dock or the apple menu.
Have you tried searching? Maybe she just accidentally dragged it into a different folder. If Spotlight (the built-in search) can't find it, try downloading [EasyFind|http://www.devon-technologies.com/products/freeware/index.html]. Spotlight won't search everywhere, EasyFind will (but slower).
Is there a downloadable installer for that coz I no longer have the osx install disc.
No, there isn't. You're going to need that install disk. Apple will replace it for a small fee if you can't find it.
Once you have an appropriate disk, you can use [Pacifist|http://www.charlessoft.com> to re-install specific things.

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I have accidentally deleted my system preferences from my mid 2007 iMac 27 inch. I logged out of my user to see if it was in one of the others but there was just a question mark when I logged back into my user there was also a question mark is there any way I can get it back?
Thank you

Before you contact Apple you might first read the link below. It is possible to delete it and there are several suggestions as to what to do.
How to recover deleted System Preferences on Mac? - MacRumors Forums

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I am trying to use an old office mac mini for a new job but it seem that who ever used it last in an effort to clear all personal information deleted system preferences along with just about everything else beside itunes and safari.
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The original Mac Mini G4 model that shipped with Panther 10.3 in it,
had an install-restore disc set with a specific version of Panther.
That disc would say something to this effect: Mac OS X 10.3.7 (7T21)
and in order to have a working 10.3.9 system, that would have been
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If you did have that original set of software, the applications it had
when new could be installed along with a totally new system folder.
But without that installer set, you probably could consider looking
for a deal on Mac OS X 10.4 or 10.5; and the computer may need
more RAM installed, and since it is getting old, maybe a new HDD.
{An "Archive and Install" from the original install-restore disc set
could give you a working complete system folder; but there may
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There should be a DIY manual or instructions available online to
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However that works out...
Good luck & happy computing!

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I have accidentally deleted System Preferences from my Trash. It is completely gone. Is there a simple way to re-install it? I just bought this MacBook Pro and I'm new to it

If it truly is gone, try using Pacifist to reinstall it from Install Disc 1
http://www.charlessoft.com/
Ultimately, an Archive & Install or Erase & Install of the OS would also solve the problem.
~Lyssa

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Are you sure it's gone from your Applications folder? (You may have two; one in your home folder, one at the top level of your HD).
If so, you need an Install disc for the version of OSX you're running (you'll need it for other things, too).
If you're still running the major version of OSX (Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard) your Mac came with, AppleCare will send you a replacement set for a nominal fee. Just give them your Mac's serial number.
If not, you'll need a retail disc. Snow Leopard is only $29; Leopard isn't available in Apple Stores or online, but AppleCare has them for the original price of $129. If you buy one elsewhere, be sure it's a retail disk, not a gray one, as those are machine-specific and won't work on your Mac.

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As title say. I am trying to access my keyboard preferences via the system preferences and everytime i try to access this it freezes and say Not Responding.
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regards
Andy

Could you tell me what you meant by 'deleted system preference'? Thank you.

I am trying to stop programs from opening automatically when I turn my computer on. I tried system preferences users and groups login items...then I deleted them from the list but it did nothing.

I am trying to stop programs from opening automatically when I turn my computer on. I tried system preferences>users and groups>login items...then I deleted them itunes and emial from the list but it did nothing. They continue to open up every time I turn on my Macbook Pro.

Hi r,
It sounds like you're running Lion?
Have you tried running Verify and/or Repair Disk?
Have you tried running Repair Permissions?
Do you have at least 15% free space available on your HD?

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Doug,
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I have experienced the same problem. You can try deleting the /Home/Library/Preferences/com.apple.systempreferences.plist, but that may not help. Be sure you have no menubar items running such as MenuMeters, iClock, etc. You might also try booting from the Installer Disc and running Disk Utility to repair the hard drive and permissions. Then do a shutdown for about five minutes before restarting. Upon restart clear PRAM by pressing and holding down the OPTION-COMMAND-P-R keys immediately after the chime and continue to hold them until you hear the restart chime another four times, then release and allow normal startup.
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SUggestions?

I Have been around long enough to have thought of that, but 2 1/2 hous on the phone with apple techs left me a littler dulled.

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I would wait a day.
There is no System Preferences on Mac OS 9. What version of Mac OS X are you running?

Deleted system preferences?

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