Learn to Play - Resetting Display Preferences.

While I was exploring guitar 'Learn to Play', my little boy mashed the keyboard resulting in the lesson display preferences changing and now I can't figure out how to change them back.
Specifically, the guitar neck at the bottom of the display has disappeared and the instructional video has reduced in size by about half. As well, underneath the lesson timeline there is what appears to be a purple audio track that wasn't there when I started but now I can't get rid of. I have scoured these forums and the Internet in general and can't seem to find instructions on how to return to the default display preferences.
I've attempted to but can't located and trash the plist and cs files. I can't locate it by browsing the Library > Preferences or by Spotlighting it. I did find an ilife09.plist. Should I mess with that? I can't wrap my head around that one; they're not where they should be, it makes me wonder if Garageband 09 even maintains these types of preference files?
Because it's simple, I then attempted to trash the Garageband application file and reinstall from DVD. My efforts were fruitless. Upon opening the freshly reinstalled Garageband and loading lesson one guitar Learn to Play, the display preferences were as my boy left them.
Help please!
Message was edited by: JohnnyGuns

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Display preferences reset

For some reason my display preferences reset at every bootup recently. I have to launch display preferences and as soon as it opens my calibration setting kick in. I have zapped p-ram, repaired promotions, even deleted my calibration files and made new ones.
Any ideas besides get a new Mac? I am waiting for the new Intel Towers to come out but then this one goes to my son when I get my i6.

Hi, vandar.
Well, I wish you had mentioned the Huey earlier. Let me see if I understand the problem now more fully.
You've written: "For some reason my display preferences reset at every bootup recently. I have to launch display preferences and as soon as it opens my calibration setting kick in."and"I am using a Huey for monitor calibration."By Huey I presume you mean the Pantone display calibration device.
1. So, are you saying that the calibrations you've made with your Huey do not load at startup, but simply opening System Preferences > Displays they then load automatically?
2. You're also running dual 17-inch monitors, correct? Did you calibrate both monitors?
3. Is the Huey a new addition, or have you been using it for awhile and this problem just arose? If the latter, what changes, if any, did you make to your Mac before this problem arose?
4. If you had to install software on your Mac to use the Huey, do you have the latest software download from Pantone?
5. This makes me wonder if the Pantone software, if any, should also be launching a Startup or Login item to load the calibrations as part of startup or login. Have you checked the Huey's documentation?
6. You wrote: "Can't fit everything in the "Other Details" section.
G4 Mac OS X (10.4.6) G4 733MHz, 1GB ram, ATI VGA & NVIDIA GeFOrce2 MX w/ 2-17", 1TB Hard Drive space, USB2 card"This should fit on the two lines and you can still select Mac OS X 10.4.6 in the OS field:
PM G4 G4 733MHz, 1GB RAM, ATI VGA & GeForce2 MX, 2x17" displays, 1 TB HDD, USB2 card, Huey
If the displays are LCDs, substitute "LCDs" for "displays" in the above.
Good luck!
Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X

Preferences error - could not load displays preference pane

My screen resolution changed during game play. Now that the game is off, I cant change it back. This is what the error message says "Preferences Error - Could not load Displays preference pane."

Please read this whole message before doing anything.
This procedure is a test, not a solution. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
Step 1
The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account.
Enable guest logins* and log in as Guest. Don't use the Safari-only “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac.”
While logged in as Guest, you won’t have access to any of your documents or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this behavior; it’s normal. If you need any passwords or other personal data in order to complete the test, memorize, print, or write them down before you begin.
Test while logged in as Guest. Same problem?
After testing, log out of the guest account and, in your own account, disable it if you wish. Any files you created in the guest account will be deleted automatically when you log out of it.
*Note: If you’ve activated “Find My Mac” or FileVault, then you can’t enable the Guest account. The “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac” is not the same. Create a new account in which to test, and delete it, including its home folder, after testing.
Step 2
The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.
Please take this step regardless of the results of Step 1.
Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. You must hold down the shift key twice: once when you turn on the computer, and again when you log in.
Note: If FileVault is enabled in OS X 10.9 or earlier, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.
Safe mode is much slower to start up and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal startup 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, restart as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of Steps 1 and 2.

Display Preferences refuse to stay set.

Brand new 2010 8Core 2.4Ghz MacPro. ATI 5870 video card. Running 3 displays - 2-24" Dell UltraSharps and a 30" Apple Cinema Display.
Using 2 Dual Link DVI to Mini Display Adapters in order to drive all 3 displays.
Card ports =
MiniDisplay #1 - Apple 30"
MiniDisplay #2 - 24" Dell
DVI Port - 24" Dell
The Dells have a max resolution of 1920x1200. I have them rotated to portrait (90°) via Display Preferences.
I HAD to set the Apple 30" in Mini Display port #1 so it would be seen as the primary monitor at all times. Simply dragging the menu bar in Displays > Arrange works for a while.. but read on....
System runs and operates fine overall. I set the Display Preferences, arrange the three monitors (24 - 30 -24) and set the rotation for the Dells. All works and is great while I'm sitting there.
I leave the system for 15 minutes or more and come back to it sleeping. When I hit the spacebar to wake, the Dell displays reset to either 1200x1600 resolution (stretching the picture), lose the 90° rotation, or both. If the Apple 30" isn't plugged into MiniDisplay Port #1, then whatever monitor IS plugged into that port becomes the primary. If I reset things, via Display Preferences, it's all great again until the system sleeps for more the 15 minutes again.
I've tried everything I can think of - zapping PRAM - reinstall the OS - trashing com.apple.windowserver.plist - locking com.apple.windowserver.plist (well setting permissions to read only, you can't lock that file).
Nothing I do will allow the monitors to retain their settings. Am I missing some trick somewhere?
Long time Mac User, previous MacPro with two nVidia cards didn't have this issue.
In addition.. not display related, but I'm finding disk access on the new MacPro horribly slow. Initial disk access takes 3-5 seconds every time. This is exceptionally abnormal for me. I'm not certain if it's an issue with the machine or the OS. This new system purchased last month is my first real exposure to OS10.6.4 on a regular basis. I did completely erase and install the OS when the system arrived as I always do.
Any ideas?

Wasn't due to a bad machine.
I have had 2 machine swaps since my October purchase of a 2010 MacPro. First system had a hard freeze at ~80% load and Apple requested a swap. Second system shorted out after 44 days of use. Short was not in the power supply ro logic board, it was deeper. I requested a new machine at that point.
So I'm on my 3rd new MacPro since October.... display issues have been the same on all three systems. It's obviously a firmware/video driver issue.
Let's hope this third system actually lasts longer than 45 days. So far, I'm swapping machines due to bad hardware every month and a half.

How to delete/reset Photoshop preferences

Background: Sometimes Photoshop can exhibit odd/erratic/weird behaviour.
The first step is to make sure that you are running the latest version of Photoshop, by applying the relevant updates for your version of Photoshop listed on this page:
http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/product.jsp?product=39&platform=Windows
This behaviour can sometimes be overcome by resetting the Photoshop Preference file, or individual Tool Preferences.
The procedures outlined below are the most common methods of removing the program preferences file.
Q: I am experiencing weird behaviour in Photoshop. - How do I delete / reset my preferences?
Photoshop versions after 6.0 (including 7.0, CS, CS2 ...CS6):
A:If a tool is behaving erratically, first try resetting just that tools preferences, via the method outlined by Len Hewitt in the post below this one.
If you have larger troubles, hold down Alt, Ctrl, and Shift keys (Mac: Command, Option, Shift) while starting up Photoshop. A dialog box will appear asking if you wish to delete the preferences/settings file.
A2: You can also simply search your hard drive for a *.psp file and delete it. It will be called something along the lines of "Adobe Photoshop X Prefs.psp".
Under Vista or 7, look here:
Users/[Username]/AppData/Roaming/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop [version #]/Adobe Photoshop [version #] Settings
Under Win 2k/XP the preference file will be found at:
%windir%\Documents and Settings\[username]\Application Data\Adobe\Photoshop\[version #]\Adobe Photoshop [version #] Settings
[NOTE: You need to set Window's Explorer Options to "View Hidden Files and Folders" to display the Preference file]
Photoshop Versions 5.5 and earlier:
Search for photos*.ini and delete (the file will be called photos followed by the version number - i.e photos55.ini for Photoshop 5.5, photos40.ini for Photoshop 4.0)
Resetting the preferences will restore Photoshop settings to factory defaults.
If removing the preferences files does not resolve the problem you should check the Photoshop Support pages for further guidance.
http://www.adobe.com/support/products/photoshop.html
Note that it is possible to keep a 'healthy' copy of the Preferences file, so that you simply overwrite the preferences file if needed. That way you won´t have to re-adjust your preferences in Photoshop after a Reset.
More information on Photoshop preferences can be found at:
Tech doc, CS5:
http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/828/cpsid_82893.html
Tech doc, CS4:
http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=kb405012&sliceId=2
Tech doc, CS3:
http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=kb401600&sliceId=1
Doc on manually removing Bridge preferences and cache:
http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=332992&sliceId=1

Is one of your tools behaving strangely — or not the way you expect — in Photoshop?
For every tool in Photoshop's Tool Box, the user may choose to fully reset JUST that tool to its default settings. To do this, look up to the Options Bar. On the far left side you will see a button which displays an icon of the currently selected tool. This is the Tool Preset picker. Right-click on this button, and you will see two entries:
Reset Tool
Reset All Tools
The first thing to try when a tool is not acting like you expect it should is to apply the command "Reset Tool" from this menu. Often this will cure a problem, and by starting your Photoshop troubleshooting with this procedure you aren't resetting Photoshop's entire behavior and environment to factory default in a wholesale manner. Instead, you're just getting that particular tool back to its default settings, leaving the rest of Photoshop's settings alone.
The second option would be more appropriate in a classroom setting, to get a "fresh version of Photoshop", rather than for troubleshooting Photoshop issues.
If this doesn't cure the problem you're having, then you may need to move on to deleting/resetting all of your Photoshop preferences to factory default.

How to reset display settings?

My Sharp TV only support 1080i, so I use a DVI-DVI cable to connect a monitor, then use Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter connect Sharp TV.
Then boot Mac mini, I got Open Screen on Monitor, and I set HDMI adapter to 1080i, then I power off and unplug DVI cable and boot again.
Well, I got what I want on Sharp TV, it is 1080i, but I found a 720p, I selected it, now the TV becomes to black screen with "Invalid video signal"!
I reconnect monitor, so Sharp TV is ok, but if I unconnect monitor, the sharp TV will be black screen.
I thought it might be some display settings are saved, because it was good when I first use TV after set to 1080i, but I selected 720p that is PAL TV, not for mine NTSC TV, after that selected, THe sharp TV can't be used alone, how can I reset display settings? what can I do for this case?
Please help me, GOD!

In the folder of your main user account, which is generally a folder with your name on it, find and open the Library folder. Then in the Library folder open the Preferences folder. In the Preferences folder open the folder named ByHost. Inside that folder is a file called com.apple.windowserver.xxxxxxxxxxxx.plist where xxxx is a string of numbers and letters. Drag that file out onto the desktop and restart the mini.
When OS X restarts, if it finds the above mentioned file missing from the expected location, if should build a fresh copy of the file in the original location. The fresh copy will have default values in it so the Mac will forget that bad setting that happened. Hopefully that will cause the display to work again.

Toddler playing - now display is screwy - black=white, weird colors

my husband let our 2 year old play around with our ibook today. when i got home, the display seems to be reversed - all white is displayed as black, etc.
when restarting, color is fine (it gives you a glimsp of our desktop in perfectly normal colors, then when the system starts up, it goes to this weird saturated thing. i've zapped the PRAM, but can't think of everything else. done the display preferences, etc.
any help appreciated.

Maybe this helps:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TA21115?viewlocale=en_US

Remove or Delete monitor display preferences as defined by the User -

The clarity and resolution of my display seems to have disappeared. It is currently set at 1440 x 900 which is usually fine except when I start-up, my screen loads what must initially be the default settings - which are perfect - then after a couple of seconds changes to a dark/grainy image.
When I log in to another user account, the image is fine which indicates that it is must be display preferences for the user which has changed (although I don't recall ever doing this). Does anyone know how to reset defaults or remove delete user defined profile?
Thank you.

DearJane
As Limnos points out my suggestion takes a rather blanket approach which may not suit you? However it's also fair to say that problems potentially caused due to damaged and/or corrupted .plists are not exclusive to a single .plist. Occasionally its a combination of 2, 3 or 4 or possibly more that causes the problem.
Hence my suggestion to create a folder on the desktop first. That way if the problem goes away you can introduce desired .plist files later on once you test everything else. It's also my experience that most mac users can benefit from having a major clearout. Couple this with clearing out the contents of /Users/Home/Library/Caches and overall performance can seem quite marked.
A lot does depend on how many 3rd-Party applications/utilities you've added. I have lots of added extras and it does not cause me any problems whenever I clear them all out.
The choice is yours.
HTH?
Tony

System Preferences - Display Preferences ---- not opening

In my Snow Leopard 10.6.5 under System Preferences only Display Preferences not loading. It is giving error "System Preferences cannot be opened because of a problem".
I tried resetting PRAM and NVRAM. Also is deleted the file com.apple.systempreferences.plist. Still it did not solve the issue.
Please let me know how i can solve the issue.
Thanks
Jana

Get a bootable, external HD (preferably FireWire, since it's 40-50% faster than USB 2 and designed for data transfers), make a bootable backup/clone before updating/upgrading, and ensure that it's bootable and works like the original. Then have your corporate IT reinstall the image and use the Migration Assistant to restore all of your customizations. See these for details:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106941
http://www.macmaps.com/upgradefaq.html
http://www.macmaps.com/backup.html
http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/installswupdates.html
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IMac running 10.8.6 doesn't display entire desktop? Reset display to various options and it doesn't display the entire desktop.

iMac running 10.8.6 doesn't display entire desktop? Reset display to various options and it doesn't display the entire desktop. (asking for a friend, not my iMac)

I think you wanted to say 10.6.8. 10.8.6 does not exist.
The first thing I think is that zoom may be enabled. On Mac OS X 10.6.8, a way to disable it is to hold the Control key and scroll down with the mouse or trackpad until you can see the whole display. Another way would be to disable zoom in System Preferences > Universal Access

Display preferences do not allow for turning off Apple TV

After turning on Apple TV it cannot be reset without rebooting the system. Display preferences will not allow unchecking of Apple TV. It reverts immediately from Off to Apple TV

Just unplug it. I keep mine unplugged except when I need to sync or am using the ATV to view/listen to whatever. Keeps em cool 95% of the time and saves energy. They boot fairly quickly.

Constantly resetting Cs2 Preferences

I would like to know why I have to reset Photoshop Cs2 preferences often. Every week the brushes doesn't work, so I have to press Ctrl, Alt and Shift. I went into the nine preferences box and reset everything. I also did my color settings and save the settings. Is there a way that I can stop resetting the preferences so often?. Thank you.
Gerald Sr.

Gerald,
It may not make much difference at this time of the year, but you should repost in the Photoshop Windows forum, http://forums.adobe.com/community/photoshop/photoshop_windows.
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The cause is probably Windows corrupting one or more preference files while saving them when you close down.
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Good luck over there, and Happy New Year.

Display Preferences lost upon sleep

Every time my new Mini goes to sleep and returns back, it loses the custom calibrated display profile setting in System Preferences/Displays/Color. (Loading the System Preferences manually and clicking on "Displays" will reset it back correctly without having to go into the Color menu.)
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I am having the same problem with my 17" MacBook Pro (and I think it happened with my old 17' Powerbook too). I have an external 23" Cinema Display and whenever the computer wakes from sleep (I think I mean display sleep actually as I don't think the laptop is set to sleep) the laptop display has lost its display preference.

Now playing - no display

My I Pod plays fine and my playlists show up. However, about 30 minutes ago while playing, the display on the now playing went to blank. It only shows the words now playing while the sound is playing. I tried that reset thing (menu - select)to no avail. Anybody know how I can fix this???

I agree... reset. If it fails, then you are toast and need to see if it covered under warranty, etc. Sorry to hear this and best of luck.

My monitor's resolution not available in display preferences

Hi:
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Hi:
Thanks for the info. It looks like either of those apps should fix the problem, though I was hoping there was a solution within the OS which would fix it (without having to buy something). I'm not trying to do anything out of the ordinary, just trying to get the monitor to run at the resolution it was designed for.
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Learn to Play - Resetting Display Preferences.

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