Mac OS X keeps resetting

At random times when I come back to my computer my apps will be reset. Like when I go to turn on iChat it prompts me through the beginning steps and all my buddy icons and names for people our gone. When I opened iTunes all my songs were gone and all the settings wer default. This also happened in Safari and Mail.

Hi, vjdisco.
First, this is not a situation where one should need to wipe their drive as the first step in troubleshooting.
We'll need some more info about your configuration.
1. Are you using FileVault? If so, try the instructions in "Mac OS X 10.3, 10.4: FileVault - How to verify or repair a home directory image."
2. Open the Get Info window of your Home > Library > Preferences folder. In the Details sub-panel of the Ownership & Permissions panel, assure you are the Owner and have Access of Read & Write set therein. If not, make changes accordingly using the pop-up menus. Also check the Home > Library > Preferences > ByHost folder and assure the setting are likewise. See "Mac OS X 10.4 Help: Setting permissions for disks, folders, and files." If that is the case, then some application you are using may be resetting the preferences for that folder,so you'll have to keep an eye on it to determine what application may be resetting the preferences.
Good luck!
Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X

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