Desktop folders keep setting themselves to small and rearranging themselves

Help! I just got this computer and the folders on the desktop keep shrinking to the smallest size and re-arranging themselves on the desktop. Every time I go in and change it and re-organize them and then out of nowhere they shrink and move around again. boo hoo!

Hi,
Open a Finder window. Select your Home folder in the Sidebar on the left then open the Library folder then the Preferences folder.
Move the com.apple.desktop.plist file to the Trash.
Restart your Mac. Try arranging the folders from the Finder View menu.
A word to the wise... too many folders on the Destop can slow your Mac down as well as corrupting Desktop preferences. If you can, move as many folders as you can to the Documents folder.

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Just days ago, I downloaded and created folders for two batches of photos and now they are missing. They were not deleted by anyone, and even if they were, they were not found in my trash can. What happened? They were erased from my camera, so I am upset.

Just days ago, I downloaded and created folders for 2 batches of photos I downloaded from my camera to iphotos but now both are missing. They were not deleted and even if they were, were not found in my trashcan. I have looked through every folder and they are not there. Is there a bug that can get into iPhoto to do this? Is there a program Apple offers to retrieve lost photos? Thank you.

debbie5891 wrote: ... They were not deleted and even if they were, were not found in my trashcan...
How do you know they were not deleted? Is it possible that they were moved to the trash and the trash has been emptied, if not by you, perhaps by someone else?
In the best case, you mean they were not deleted from your camera. If so, it will be simple to merely download again from your camera after you have corrected any problem with your Mac or workflow.
If you have a way to be certain that your two folders were not deleted from your Mac, follow the directions provided by your Mac's Disk Utility to repair your Disk (not Disk Permissions.) On more than one occasion, disk repair has restored the visibility of missing folders I knew I had not deleted. If you have trouble with the process, post back which specific Mac OS version ( > About This Mac) you are using so we can offer specific help.
It is also possible that the missing folders might be saved somewhere you do not expect them to be.
It is also possible that they may merely be invisible and, thus, not showing in your Finder windows even after performing a Disk Repair.
Here are some more ideas you can consider:
Restart Mac and then look where you expect the folders to be. They may be visible there now.
If not, try a Spotlight search for the folder name(s) you used. Spotlight may give you a list of places to look. If you don't remember the folder name(s), try a search for the file type your camera uses for saved images. My cameras save "jpg" files, but yours may save other image file types.
You can also open a finder window and use the window's search oval to search. The method allows you to use the search "+" button to add invisible items via the "File Visibility" choice.
debbie5891 wrote:... I have looked through every folder and they are not there....
If you are using any version of Mac OS X, I doubt this statement can be true.
If you select your disk volume name (not the Media item) in the sidebar of your Mac's Disk Utility, you will see that the number of Folders and files on your disk is very large. For example,I keep my startup disk small and write most of my files to other disks. Even so, my startup disk contains more than 195,000 folders.
If you mean you used some software to search each folder, please post back the name of the app you are using.
debbie5891 wrote: ... Is there a bug that can get into iPhoto to do this? ...
I have not had the problem you describe, nor have I heard of such an iPhoto Bug.
I have used every version of iPhoto I have seen including the current new version: iPhoto '11 version 9.5 (902.7). You can find the version you are using by executing the iPhoto > About iPhoto menu command and post it back here.
debbie5891 wrote:... Is there a program Apple offers to retrieve lost photos? ...
I am not aware of any Apple apps that work specifically on photo files. If you know the pathname to the lost files, and if you are comfortable with Unix commands, you might be able to use your Mac's Terminal utility to retrieve at least some of your images. However, it will be MUCH simpler to merely download another copy from your camera.
You can search the Mac App Store for "unerase" to find several apps that can unerase files, including deleted photo files, in certain circumstances even after the trash has been emptied. To determine whether one or more of them may meet your needs, see their product info and reviews for specifics about each one.
debbie5891 wrote:...Thank you.
You're most welcome.
If you need to post back for more information, please provide specifics on your Mac OS, iPhoto version, which of the suggestions offered here you have tried, and any details not already provided about the problem status.
Message was edited by: EZ Jim
Mac OSX 10.9

Desktop folders being renamed by system????

My desktop folders sometimes randomly change names...e.g., my hard drive icon is named 'MacIntel'.... but sometimes, it will change itself to '0' or sometimes '30'... I can change it back by going to 'GetInfo'...unlock it... put in original name under 'Name and Extension' (erasing erroneous one) and then lock it again and the desktop folder will rename itself 'MacIntel'..... but usually a couple of days later the folder is renamed with some numbers.
I had a .pdf file on the desktop named 'Hawaii' and this morning it was named '=394+%'...
WHAT is going on here??? I am REALLY confused... it's only happening to my desktop folders
Hope someone can help me.
and Merry Christmas to all!!

Glen...
Go to ~/Library/Preferences
Move these files to the Trash.
com.apple.desktop.plist
com.apple.finder.plist
Restart your Mac.
BTW... it would help to tell us which Mac OS X you have installed when you post for help. Thanks!
Happy Holidays to you also

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How do I keep my macbook pro from automatically rearranging my folders and PDF files on my desktop? It seems to happen a lot after I've hooked my laptop to my Thunderbolt in my office and then I unhook my laptop to go present at a clients of taking my laptop home to work. Every once in a while if even places all of my folders and PDF files in the far upper left corner of my screen. Needless to say, having to constanly rearrange my desktop is extremly annoying and would love to know what the fix is for this problem. Thank you in advance for any help offered!

Thanks for the tip "baltwo", unfortunately my desktop settings were already set to NONE. I've had one of my IT guys here this moring helping me look through all of this and we're at a wall trying to figure out why it's doing this. This morning when I docked to the Thunderbolt all my folders and PDF files are in the upper lefthand corner stacked on top of each other almost out of view. If I go to settings, displays, and swith to mirroring, all the folders and files go right back to where they're set up on my MacBook desktop, but I lose the ability to utilize the entire screen of the Thunderbolt. Very frustrating to say the least and after searching through and reviewing several forums, Apple is very much aware of this issue and seems to be keeping silent on the issue. Hoepfully they'll launch a fix soon!
THANKS again for the tip, it's much appreciated!

When I open my mail account I keep getting the message "Checking for Mail". I deleted the yahoo account and set it up again and I am still getting the same issue plus I am not seeing any of my mail or folders. Can anyone help?

When I open my mail account I keep getting the message "Checking for Mail". I deleted the yahoo account and set it up again and I am still getting the same issue plus I am not seeing any of my mail or folders. Can anyone help?

This is how I fixed it on my new iPhone 5S. Using the standard yahoo setting on my phone.
You will have to access "managing your app passwords" on your account profile for yahoo. Generate password for your app. For example: "My iPhone 5S'
Go to your Iphone and set up your yahoo mail account on your phone the normal way and you have to use the generated password. instead of the yahoo account password.
source:
http://virtualizeme.net/iphone-5-yahoo-mail-server-unavailable-fix/
I hope this helps,
cheers

Original Items and JPEG Images folders keep appearing on my desktop

Hi, was hoping someone could help me.
I keep getting empty "Original Items" and "JPEG Images" folders appearing on my desktop (MacBook Pro running Yosemite).
It's been happening for a while now. Every time I try and delete them or move them off the desktop, fresh and empty folders reappear.
I like to keep my desktop clutter free so it's an annoying problem.
Any help on this would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks.

These are probably just files you have inadvertently downloaded from some web site, or perhaps a buggy JavaScript downloaded them to your desktop. You can find out where they were downloaded from by selecting them and choosing File -> Get Info. The More Info section will tell you. See the following example, taken from a file I downloaded not long ago:
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandelbrot_set

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I just installed 10.6 on one of my computers, my tricked-out Mac Pro.... but now when I go to move anything in or out of any of the desktop folders, the files COPY to the desktop and do not MOVE to the desktop.
I have looked for some setting and can't find it. This is just really weird... do I need to re-install?

Hey CT, I'm have the same problem which is how I found you guys tonight talking about this. I used to be annoyed enough when XP or Vista took 45 mins to "move" 3 GB of data but I fell out out of my chair when 10.6 wanted to take 8 hours to copy 80GB from one folder up one level to the top directory. I was so baffeled and ******, I put a fan on the MacBook Pro and went to the gym when it "COPIED" one level up.
I do have a contact at Apple and would love to get to the bottom of this because this is something I can't even bring up at a party with PC people at!!

In System Prefereneces, when I am in Desktop and Screen Saver, I am unable to remove folders. I can click the "-" and the folder appears to be gone, but when I close and then reopen System Preferences, and open Desktop and Screen Saver, the folder reappea

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I've seen one other report like yours, and I think the issue is caused by a bug, but I don't know what triggers it.
Please read this whole message before doing anything.
This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
The purpose of the test is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party software that loads automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, or by corruption of certain system caches.
Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.
Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain iMacs. The next normal boot may also be somewhat slow.
The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin. Test while in safe mode. Same problem? After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

I'm downloading adobe software via my dad's account and when it's done loading, it has a message where it says it sent a verification email to my email address, but when I check it shows that it hasn't been set. I keep clicking the resend email and it cl

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It is probabl,y sending the email to your Dad's email address if you are using his account.

How do I set the zoom at a particular level as the default to ensure pages are not too small and that i don't have to change the zoom for each page? in English

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== This happened ==
Every time Firefox opened
== From the beginning

Some add-ons:
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No Squint: http://urandom.ca/nosquint/
Also:
http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Page+Zoom
http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Text+Zoom
http://kb.mozillazine.org/Browser.zoom.siteSpecific

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Allan

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I will lock this discussion because of duplicate post.

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I

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Desktop folders keep setting themselves to small and rearranging themselves

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