I have lost the system preferences application. How do i restore it?

Hi,
I have lost the system preferences application. How do I restore it?

If you have had Time Machine running on your computer, you may be able to get it back from a backup.
However, since System Preferences contains more than just the application (it also contains modules that are kept in [$HOME]/Library/PreferencePanes on your startup disk), then you may need to restore them too if they do not exist on your system either.
Granted, having a missing System Preferences could be disasterous... at the least, you can't set your preferences, but at the most, system services (whether Apple or 3rd party) could be broken. Because of this, the above advice is not guaranteed.
The only sure-fire way of getting your System Preferences back is to re-install your system.
Important note: TheDave413's note about the Dock is also a very useful tip, since the Dock keeps an alias of the System Preferences app rather than a copy of it. If that is all that's missing, you can easily re-create it yourself without any of the above drastic action!
—tonza

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Some how I have deleted the system Preferences application. I had already deleted everything from the trash bend before I realized system pref. was deleted. How can I recover or get it downloaded?

Somehow I have deleted the system Preferences application. I had already deleted everything from the trash bend before I realized system pref. was deleted. How can I recover or get it downloaded? Everything has been transferred to my new mac pro, but would like to give this old mac to son-in-law. Can I download system preferences back into this old mac?
Sidney Jean Bienvenu

How Restore Deleted or Missing OS X Components
A few of the basic OS X installed applications can be restored from the Optional Installs installer located in the Optional installs folder on your Installer DVD. However, if what you need is not there then follow the instructions below.
How to Use Pacifist to Restore Deleted or Missing OS X Components
Insert the OS X Installer DVD into the optical drive. Use a simple utility like TinkerTool to toggle invisibility so you can see invisible items. Alternatively, open the Terminal application in your Utilities folder and at the prompt enter the following:
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles Yes
Press RETURN.
To turn off the display of invisible files repeat the above command substituting No for Yes.
The install packages are located in the /System/Installation/ folder on the DVD.
Download the shareware utility Pacifist. Use it to extract a fresh copy of the missing item(s) from the file archives on your OS X installation DVD. The file archives are in the /System/Installations/ folder (use Go to Folder option in the Go menu of the Finder.)
Here are Four Basic ways to use Pacifist (courtesy of George Orville.)
Drag a .pkg icon onto the Pacifist window .....proceed to step 7.
Click on “Open Package ....” and navigate to package desired and click “Open” in the open/save window.....proceed to step 7.
Insert Mac OS X installer CD and when it mounts, navigate to .... Menu->Go->Go to Folder. In the path field enter or paste ....
/Volumes/disc name/System/Installation/Packages (where disc name is the name of the CD/DVD that you inserted.)
Click on the "Go" button ..... • Drag a .pkg to Pacifist..... proceed to step 7.
The package you'll need will have to be discovered by trial and error, but for most applications you should start with the Essentials.pkg and/or Additional Essentials.pkg.
D. Insert your Mac OS X install disk 1 .... and open Pacifist.
1.          In Pacifist, select "Open Mac OS X Install Packages" ... dialog may appear asking for disk 2, then disk 3 and finally disk 1 again.... {if DVD is not used)...If “Stop Loading” is selected...the procedure will stop!!!
2a. When loading is complete, a new window appears, click the triangle to display contents of each package...Select item and proceed to step 7.
2b.          or click the “Find” icon in the Pacifist window and type the name of the software you need.
3.          In the list that comes back, click the top most entry for the item that you want. ..... that is the one for the English language.
4.          On the top of the Pacifist window, click “verify” .... you will probably be prompted for your password.
5.          Enter checks for.... “verify permissions” and “verify file contents.” and click “verify” ....enter password when prompted.... you will get back output which may look like this:
          20 files were scanned. 20 of 20 files were present on the hard disk. 0 of 20 files had file permissions that did not match those specified in the package. 0 of 20 files had checksums that did not match those specified in the package.
6.          Click “close”. Go to step 7.
Extract or Install........
7.          In the Toolbar (upper left), you now have the option to extract or install. Click a file in the lower list and those two icons will be enabled.
8.          If “Extract to...” is selected.... navigate to the location where the file will be placed, select “choose”, select “extract” in new dialog that appears,authenicate , if prompted, click “OK”.
9.          In the next dialog, click “Extract”.
10.          If “Install” is selected... dialog will appear with the location/path of the installed software. Click “Install”
11.          Type in your password, click “OK”
Pacifist will begin to extract files.
12.          In steps 8/10ß.... you also have the choice to “cancel”
Notes:          Pacifist may find that a file it is installing already exists on the hard disk. Pacifist will present you with an alert panel....
Stop
Leave original alone
Update .....
Default selection
Replace .... (Replace option should only be used on full install packages)

I have lost the system preferences settings icon and want to reinstall my os to orig settings unfortunately I have lost thrown out disc due to moving house, can i get a copy of hardware drivers as can buy os disc

Can anybody help I have no problems duyinng new os system,
but unable to find which hardware and drivers required for system to work

All hardware drivers are included with the Operating System, OS X.
You will need the Original system discs to Reinstall the OS clean. You can get them from Apple for a fee. So call Apple and have the serial # of your Mac and order the Replacement System Discs. And this time try not to lose or throw them away.

HT1338 i have lost my system preferences, how can i get it back. i have been using my laptop without system preferences. please help.

i have lost my system preferences and app store in my macbook pro osx leopard. i want to upgrade. i can't. i have been trying. where or how can i get it back. i am in foreign country. there is no apple store here.

Do you have your 10.6 Install Disc, if so reinstall, if not...
Try re-installing the big 10.6.8 Combo...
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399

I need to reinstall the system software on my older iMac. I have lost the system disks, though... so now what? It had 10.4.

I need to reinstall the system software on my older iMac. I have lost the system disks, though... so now what? It had 10.4. We moved, and I have looked everywhere. Am I doomed to find a way to buy it? Can taking it into the Apple Store fix it? Will it be expensive THERE? I've already saved all of the files I want off of it.... I just need it to work now.

You've lost me on why you need to reinstall Tiger, when you already have all the files you wanted (which means Tiger worked perfectly fine). If you want to upgrade to Leopard, that's a different issue: your Mac needs to meet the minimum system requirements for that, which you can easily determine.
If you just want to get a replacement set of Tiger install discs, you can try calling AppleCare and see if they're able to send you a replacement set, and if not, you'll have to buy a new set yourself. You can get them on eBay, Craigslist, and HardCore Mac (http://store.yahoo.com/hardcoremac/), although they sell it for ridiculous prices.
< Edited by Host >

Since upgrading to Yosemite my macbook pro keeps going to sleep if I am not using it. I want it to stay on as I leave it doing things overnight etc. It was fine before the upgrade and I have all the system preference set to "never turn off"

Since upgrading to Yosemite my macbook pro keeps going to sleep if I am not using it. I want it to stay on as I leave it doing things overnight (cd's / recording etc. It was fine before the upgrade and I have all the system preference set to "never turn off" - Help !!!

Good advice from Linc Davis that should sort out your query i think...
However you dont want to set your MBP to never go to sleep...
Adjust reasonable sleep settings...
And the download an APP called caffiene...
When you click it you can have your MBP never go to sleep with a single click of your menu bar... and with another click it can go to sleep normally to maintain the laptop...
Simply click the cup... To toggle never sleep/sleep

I have my gmail account sorted into folders. When I logged on this afternoon, all of my folders are empty. I have lost some important emails. How can I restore these?

I have my gmail account sorted into folders. the folders are suddenly and mysteriously empty. I have lost some important emails. How can I restore these folders?

Thank you everyone. I played around in settings some and my folders seem to be back to normal. Not sure how that was accomplished, but for now...things look good. I will be keeping all your inputs for future references. Your help is REALLY appreciated.

How do you do a reset if you have lost the system password?

I have lost the password for logging in the ipad. How can I reset it?

If You Are Locked Out Or Have Forgotten Your Passcode
iTunes 10 for Mac- Update and restore software on iPod, iPhone, or iPad
iPhone, iPad, iPod touch: Wrong passcode results in red disabled screen
iOS- Understanding passcodes
     If you have forgotten your Restrictions code, then follow the instructions
     below but DO NOT restore any previous backup. If you do then you will
     simply be restoring the old Restrictions code you have forgotten. This
     same warning applies if you need to restore a clean system.
A Complete Guide to Restore or Recover Your iDevice (if You Forget Your Passcode)
If you need to restore your device or ff you cannot remember the passcode, then you will need to restore your device using the computer with which you last synced it. This allows you to reset your passcode and re-sync the data from the device (or restore from a backup). If you restore on a different computer that was never synced with the device, you will be able to unlock the device for use and remove the passcode, but your data will not be present. Refer to Updating and restoring iPhone, iPad and iPod touch software.
Try restoring the iOS device if backing up and erasing all content and settings doesn't resolve the issue. Using iTunes to restore iOS devices is part of standard isolation troubleshooting. Restoring your device will delete all data and content, including songs, videos, contacts, photos, and calendar information, and will restore all settings to their factory condition.
Before restoring your iOS device, Apple recommends that you either sync with iTunes to transfer any purchases you have made, or back up new data (data acquired after your last sync). If you have movie rentals on the device, see iTunes Store movie rental usage rights in the United States before restoring.
Follow these steps to restore your device:
     1. Verify that you are using the latest version of iTunes before attempting to update.
     2. Connect your device to your computer.
     3. Select your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch when it appears in iTunes under Devices.
     4. Select the Summary tab.
     5. Select the Restore option.
     6. When prompted to back up your settings before restoring, select the Back Up
         option (see in the image below). If you have just backed up the device, it is not
         necessary to create another.
     7. Select the Restore option when iTunes prompts you (as long as you've backed up,
         you should not have to worry about restoring your iOS device).
     8. When the restore process has completed, the device restarts and displays the Apple
         logo while starting up:
           After a restore, the iOS device displays the "Connect to iTunes" screen. For updating
          to iOS 5 or later, follow the steps in the iOS Setup Assistant. For earlier versions of
          iOS, keep your device connected until the "Connect to iTunes" screen goes away or
          you see "iPhone is activated."
     9. The final step is to restore your device from a previous backup.
If you can not restore your device then you will need to go to recovery mode.
Placing your device into recovery mode:
Follow these steps to place your iOS device into recovery mode. If your iOS device is already in recovery mode, you can proceed immediately to step 6.
     1. Disconnect the USB cable from the iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, but leave the other end
         of the cable connected to your computer's USB port.
     2. Turn off the device: Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button for a few seconds until the
         red slider appears, then slide the slider. Wait for the device to turn off.
          If you cannot turn off the device using the slider, press and hold the Sleep/Wake
          and Home buttons at the same time. When the device turns off, release the Sleep/Wake
          and Home buttons.
     3. While pressing and holding the Home button, reconnect the USB cable to the device.
         The device should turn on. Note: If you see the screen pictured below, let the device
         charge for at least ten minutes to ensure that the battery has some charge, and then
         start with step 2 again.
     4. Continue holding the Home button until you see the "Connect to iTunes" screen.
         When this screen appears you can release the Home button.
     5. If necessary, open iTunes. You should see the following "recovery mode" alert:
     6. Use iTunes to restore the device.
If you don't see the "Connect to iTunes" screen, try these steps again. If you see the "Connect to iTunes" screen but the device does not appear in iTunes, see this article and its related links.
Additional Information:
Note: When using recovery mode, you can only restore the device. All user content on the device will be erased, but if you had previously synced with iTunes on this computer, you can restore from a previous backup. See this article for more information.

HT204053 My Macbook doesn't have iCloud under System Preferences. How do I add it?

My MacBook doesn't have iCloud under System Preferences.. Why? How can I add it?

Only by upgrading to Lion 10.7.2 - provided your Mac meets the requirements -
Mac computer with an Intel Core 2 Duo, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, or Xeon processor
2GB of memory
OS X v10.6.6 or later (v10.6.8 recommended)
7GB of available space
LIon is obtained from the Mac App Store, which you need 10.6.8 to access.

Upgraded to Mavericks and have lost the closedown/restart function - how can I recover this function. Pressing on/off button just switches off the display. Thanks

Have just upgraded to Mavericks OS X and have lost the closedown/restart function. Pressing the on/off button just switches off the screen. Thanks

Hold the power button for about 7 seconds to shutdown or select shutdown under the  menu.

I have lost my system preferences following restoration of harddisc

I appear to have lost system preferences following restoration of my hard drive I have looked everywhere and whilst the dropdown box under the Apple logo apears to have it nothing happens. Can anyone suggest a solution

How Restore Deleted or Missing OS X Components
A few of the basic OS X installed applications can be restored from the Optional Installs installer located in the Optional installs folder on your Installer DVD. However, if what you need is not there then follow the instructions below.
How to Use Pacifist to Restore Deleted or Missing OS X Components
Insert the OS X Installer DVD into the optical drive. Use a simple utility like TinkerTool to toggle invisibility so you can see invisible items. Alternatively, open the Terminal application in your Utilities folder and at the prompt enter the following:
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles Yes
Press RETURN.
To turn off the display of invisible files repeat the above command substituting No for Yes.
The install packages are located in the /System/Installation/ folder on the DVD.
Download the shareware utility Pacifist. Use it to extract a fresh copy of the missing item(s) from the file archives on your OS X installation DVD. The file archives are in the /System/Installations/ folder (use Go to Folder option in the Go menu of the Finder.)
Here are Four Basic ways to use Pacifist (courtesy of George Orville.)
Drag a .pkg icon onto the Pacifist window .....proceed to step 7.
Click on “Open Package ....” and navigate to package desired and click “Open” in the open/save window.....proceed to step 7.
Insert Mac OS X installer CD and when it mounts, navigate to .... Menu->Go->Go to Folder. In the path field enter or paste ....
/Volumes/disc name/System/Installation/Packages (where disc name is the name of the CD/DVD that you inserted.)
Click on the "Go" button ..... • Drag a .pkg to Pacifist..... proceed to step 7.
The package you'll need will have to be discovered by trial and error, but for most applications you should start with the Essentials.pkg and/or Additional Essentials.pkg.
D. Insert your Mac OS X install disk 1 .... and open Pacifist.
1.          In Pacifist, select "Open Mac OS X Install Packages" ... dialog may appear asking for disk 2, then disk 3 and finally disk 1 again.... {if DVD is not used)...If “Stop Loading” is selected...the procedure will stop!!!
2a. When loading is complete, a new window appears, click the triangle to display contents of each package...Select item and proceed to step 7.
2b.          or click the “Find” icon in the Pacifist window and type the name of the software you need.
3.          In the list that comes back, click the top most entry for the item that you want. ..... that is the one for the English language.
4.          On the top of the Pacifist window, click “verify” .... you will probably be prompted for your password.
5.          Enter checks for.... “verify permissions” and “verify file contents.” and click “verify” ....enter password when prompted.... you will get back output which may look like this:
          20 files were scanned. 20 of 20 files were present on the hard disk. 0 of 20 files had file permissions that did not match those specified in the package. 0 of 20 files had checksums that did not match those specified in the package.
6.          Click “close”. Go to step 7.
Extract or Install........
7.          In the Toolbar (upper left), you now have the option to extract or install. Click a file in the lower list and those two icons will be enabled.
8.          If “Extract to...” is selected.... navigate to the location where the file will be placed, select “choose”, select “extract” in new dialog that appears,authenicate , if prompted, click “OK”.
9.          In the next dialog, click “Extract”.
10.          If “Install” is selected... dialog will appear with the location/path of the installed software. Click “Install”
11.          Type in your password, click “OK”
Pacifist will begin to extract files.
12.          In steps 8/10ß.... you also have the choice to “cancel”
Notes:          Pacifist may find that a file it is installing already exists on the hard disk. Pacifist will present you with an alert panel....
Stop
Leave original alone
Update .....
Default selection
Replace .... (Replace option should only be used on full install packages)

Hi - HELP PLEASE - I have had a bad bug, now fixed, But Have Lost the Library in iTunes - how can I transfer the music and artwork content of my iPone back to iTunes so that I have a base library again

Hello - can someone help me please - I am not really well versed in modern electronics
So, as I mentioned in my heading which is rather long (sorry lol) I have had a bad computer virus, now fixed, which has lost me a lot of information. This includes the content of ,my iTunes Library and my ability to access it.
So, can someone help me by telling me how I can gethte music currently in my iPhone back in to the Music Library in my new version of iTunes. Aslo hiow do I now get Album Artwork in to iTunes as well - iI recall that it was really easy when I set it up but this new version is causing me all sorts of heartache when I tried just now - hence my plea for help.
I hope you can help and that I can hear fromoyuvery soon
Thanks guys
Keith

iDevices are not backup devices.
Use the backup of the computer to put the content back on the computer.
If not backup exists and the content was purchased via iTunes, connect the device and select File > Transfer purchases. This will not restore playlists, playcounts or any other library specific data.
If the media was not purchased via iTunes, search google for ways to extract it from the iPhone.
Whatever you do, going forward make sure you back up your media and other important files regularly.

I have lost the firefox icon. How do I get it back?

y firefox icon is gone and the only way i can get into firefox is by going through aol. I really don't like doing this. Also the only way I can get into my home page, is also through aol. Please do something.

It sounds Firefox is still installed and you just need a quicker way to launch it. Here are directions for various operating systems (it looks like you're using Ubuntu).
* [https://help.ubuntu.com/community/HowToAddaLauncher Creating a launcher in Ubuntu]
* [http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2474 Creating an alias in Mac OS X]
* [http://support.microsoft.com/kb/140443 Creating a shortcut in Windows]
If you need instructions for setting your home page in Firefox, see
* [[How to set the home page]]

My screen is dark... need help. I have checked the system preferences and they are set to brightest setting. I also did this with my F2 key and it is set to brightest. Still monitor is not bright... any ideas?

My screen is dark> Have checked brightness under sys preferences/displays and it is on highest setting.
Also checked this using the F2 key. It too is on highest setting. Still not bright...
HELP

We usually advice first to Reload web page(s) and bypass the cache in case of such problem and then do a check for extensions to see if any are causing the problem.
* Press and hold Shift and left-click the Reload button.
* Press "Ctrl + F5" or press "Ctrl + Shift + R" (Windows,Linux)
* Press "Cmd + Shift + R" (MAC)
Start Firefox in <u>[[Safe Mode]]</u> to check if one of the extensions is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox (Tools) > Add-ons > Appearance/Themes).
*Don't make any changes on the Safe mode start window.
*https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Safe+Mode
*https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Troubleshooting+extensions+and+themes
Other possible causes can be zooming a page or having increased the minimum font size.
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Websites_look_wrong

I have lost the home icon. How can I get it back on toolbar.

no further info. Home icon is not on toolbar. How can I retrieve it.

A couple of options. First try to drag and drop the icon back onto the toolbar as shown in the [[How to customize the toolbar]] article.
If that does not work, follow the procedures in the [[Back and forward or other toolbar items are missing]] article.

I have lost the system preferences application. How do i restore it?

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