Macbook a1181 cannot access System Preference or any apps such as Safari, iPhoto, etc.  How can I fix this?

Hi, I recently purchased a used MacBook a1181 and cannot access anything.  I am new to Apple computers/laptops so I don't know if there is a simple solution or if it's maybe a HD problem?  I tried to go into System Preferences and nothing happens.  The dock (?) at the bottom also has a bunch of question marks. When I scroll over the question marks, I can see apps like Safari, iPhoto, etc. but I cannot open anything.  I also tried to go to About this Mac and can't get anywhere either.   Any ideas what could be wrong?

" The dock (?) at the bottom also has a bunch of question marks"
So usually that means that the applications are missing. It's like in a PC where the "Short Cut" link is broken.
"When I scroll over the question marks, I can see apps like Safari, iPhoto, etc. but I cannot open anything."
So just like when shortcuts are broken and for the same reason: applications are moved, renamed etc.
and with this:
"I also tried to go to About this Mac and can't get anywhere either. "
Probably a bad install.
"When I tried to re-install the OS, the disc would spin and then eject.  I tried several different installation CDs and even an external DVD player and each time the CD ejected out without installing. "
What disks are you using? The originals would be Tiger and gray, 10.4.8 (Not the retail installer which would be 10.4.0.), Leopard, Snow Leopard. So 10.4.8 to 10.6.8 compatible.

Similar Messages

  • I cannot email a link to any web page from Firefox 22. How can I fix this?

    I am unable to email a link to any webpage from Firefox 22. I have tried everything I can find to fix it. Nothing works.
    There is no longer the ability to right click and send an email link. The "Email link" in the "file" drop down on the menu bar doesn't work either. I even tried one add on program for emailing links. That didn't work.
    If I didn't lose all of my bookmarks, I would reset to the Firefox defaults. I have had to resort to using Chrome to send any links to webpages.
    There has to be some way to fix this. Please help if you can.
    Thanks

    Make sure that you have set a default mail program properly.
    See:
    *https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Changing+the+e-mail+program+used+by+Firefox

  • Lion, system preferences freeze when I tried to change wall paper,how do I fix this?

    lion, system preferences freezes when I tried to change wall paper,how do I fix this?

    Quit System Preferences if it's running. In the Finder, hold down the option key and select
    Go ▹ Library
    from the menu bar. From the Library folder, delete the following item, if it exists: 
    Caches/com.apple.systempreferences
    and move the following item to the Desktop:
    Preferences/com.apple.desktop.plist
    Launch System Preferences and test. If you still have the issue, put the item on the Desktop back where it came from and post again. Otherwise, delete the item.

  • HT204053 I created Apple ID with my email add. There was a typo. Apple would not let me correct. I was told to use diff email add,  Now I cannot access my Itunes or icloud account on my mobile device.  How do I fix this?

    I created Apple ID with my email add.   There was a typo.  Apple would not let me correct.  I was told to use a diff email add.  I did. Now I cannot access my itunes or icloud account on my mobile device.  How do I fix this?

    Are you trying to change the iCloud ID on your phone?
    Also, you can change your iTunes ID by going to Settings>iTunes & App Store, tap the ID, sign out, then sign back in with the ID you want to use.

  • I am new to iMovies.  When I make a video using the mic and camera in my Macbook Pro, the audio and video are not in synch.  Very annoying.  How can I fix this?

    I am new to iMovies.  When I make a video using the mic and camera in my Macbook Pro, the audio and video are not in synch.  Very annoying.  How can I fix this?

    DVD drives read the bottom of the disk, not the top. Smooth out the paper & try again.

  • HT201209 I keep getting a 3212 error; iTunes cannot connect to the iTunes store, howver i have internet connection.  How can i fix this problem?

    I keep getting a 3212 error; iTunes cannot connect to the iTunes store, however i have internet connection.  How can i fix this problem?

    Hello achaie,
    We've an article which details troubleshooting steps that can help get iTunes reconnected to the iTunes Store.
    Can't connect to the iTunes Store
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1368
    Cheers,
    Allen

  • Adobe Reader won't install in any of the website-given ways. How can I fix this?

    I've been trying to install Adobe Reader 11.0 on my Windows 8 computer for about an hour now. When I download the regular installer, the first thing my PC does is give a security warning. Strange already, but the website mentioned this could happen, so I said "download anyway". Then when I execute the installler file, I get a small error window titled "Host" which tells me "the certificate could not be verified". The only thing I can do is press "OK", which makes it go away, but the installer still does nothing, of course.
    So I tried the other "direct" download which is given as a possible solution. The AdbeRdr11000 file I get from that downloads without any security issues.
    When I execute it, it asks me if I give this installer permission to run. I say "yes", the window dissapears and then nothing happens. At all. I can wait all I want, it's like I never clicked anything to begin with.
    So how can I fix this. I really feel like downloading such a widespread product shouldn't be so difficult.
    Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    When I follow your link, after filling out the information (operating system, language), I still can only choose for version 11,0.
    This is the same version the "direct" download gives me (the one that doesn't do anything after executing).

  • I instaled 'stealthy' as an add-ons for access facebook in Iran, but it dosn't work well. How can I fix this?

    Iran's government filter some internet web site's. For example FACEBOOK.COM and IRANIANUK.COM access is to hard for us. I searched for the second and found an add-ons. I found "steathly" for facebook.com, but this can't load the page. Sometimes I have "timeout" message and sometimes the page doesn't load completely.

    Hi guys,
    @cor-el: getting rid of not needed parts is what I always do. Besides prefs and localstore, only the search-metadata and permissions / signons are passed along. Oh, forgot to mention the mimetypes.
    No, my point is why is FF looking for those folders when there's no mentioning of these to be found in my options? Not even in de about:config ... When I state C:\ as my downloads location it's absurd to check any other folder first, which FF seems to do before giving me an explorer window showing .. C:\ as a starting point. Like my unrestricted laptop does.
    @jscher2000: Even if there are pointers to those default folders, FF should not be checking those. When I state C: I mean C: (see my answer above).
    No, I'm convinced this is a bug unless someone knows a way to stop that folder checking. And to be honest, the not working Browse button is the least of my problems (I use: ask everytime where). No it's the saving that is the problem. But I guess the underlying problem is the same. Saving / downloading, what's in a name ..
    Guys, thanks for your help ! I can't fix a bug so I'm going to let it be. I'll rebuild my master and will keep checking of saving a website becomes a problem somewhere. Mind you, the solutions offered in kb.mozillazine.org/Unable_to_save_or_download_files didn't work.
    Oh well, I'll keep my fingers crossed :)

  • ICloud and iTunes, cannot get the check boxes to stay checked under  preferences for iTunes to keep automatic downloads for iCloud, how can I fix this?

    When using my iPhone and Macbook with iTunes, I cannot get the checkboxes to stay checked in iTunes to use the automatic downloads for iCloud.  It is so frustrating. I check box them and hit ok under store preferences for iTunes, and when I go back in, they are unchecked. I am so excited to use iCloud with my iPhone downloads and it is not working, if I can't get it to work with this, I am never going to get it to work for documents.  Please help.

    Hey man. Did you ever get a solution to this problem? I spent an hour on the phone with AppleCare yesterday, and am going to have to call them back when I get home from work today. It's driving me bonkers!!

  • I have partially downloaded the new version of adobe flash player on mozilla through the plugin option. it wont let me open it or watch any videos until i download it completely. how can i fix this?

    i cant figure out how to download the application any other way. everytime i click on it in the downloads box it says application not found.

    Well, after hours of trying to figure it out I gave up and un-installed and re-installed that last verion of Adobe Flash Player and now it seems I can play games again in Messenger. Everything else had been fine just that. I can only figure it was because it was having a hard time updating the first time and took me 3 tries. So even though it said it was installed, apparently it wasn't done correctly.
    Though when I couldn't figure out what was wrong at first I looked and checked to see all the things were enabled that were supposed to be and they were.
    I even tried to go to the Adobe site and download the last version I had and couldn't find it. Kept coming up with the new version. Others said if you download a particular older version it may not have all the security features in it.
    This really gets to be a bit much, especially when you're by yourself and have only a smattering of knowledge of technical things.
    Thanks fore responding to my question.
    DFelice

  • Firefox will not load any website, it says unable to connect, how can I fix this?

    Every url I type in it comes up with unable to connect and firefox cant establish a connection! its like it's not even got a connection but i can get on the internet at the same time with internet explorer! I have tried disabling the IPv6 and Prefetch and still unable to connect! i have changed the proxy to no proxy and still unable to connect.

    A possible cause is security software (firewall) that blocks or restricts Firefox or the plugin-container process without informing you, possibly after detecting changes (update) to the Firefox program.
    Remove all rules for Firefox from the permissions list in the firewall and let your firewall ask again for permission to get full unrestricted access to internet for Firefox and the plugin-container process and the updater process.
    See:
    *https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Server+not+found
    *https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Firewalls

  • After updating osx 10.9.2, I cannot type without curser leaving my field and making beeping noises. How can I fix this? After updating osx 10.9.2, I cannot type without curser leaving my field and making beeping noises. How can I fix this?

    I did the update and now my curser seems to leave my typing field and makes a beeping sound.  I then have to place my curser back to type some more.  I can no longer work in my excel spreadsheet because of this.  Is there a fix that I can install?  Please help! I also have to double click everything

    If it's slow on startup it would be extensions loading or LaunchDaemons starting up. 
    You should have a look in:
    /Library/LaunchDaemons
    /Library/Extensions
    You can count out anything in your home folder and it shouldn't put anything in /System as that's reserved for Apple. 

  • A pop up window comes up when I click on safari but I can't close out of it nor can I continue access to safari...how can I fix this?

    A pop up window opens when I try to open safari, however, I can't exit out of it, nor can I continue using safari.  How can I fix this? (the iMac was purchased summer 2011 and all updates done).  Thanks.

    I had the same issue and I found turning off safai extensions fixed the issue.  Must be an extension that's causing this problem.

  • I get an error message saying "The iTunes Library.itl file cannot be found or created" when I try to open iTunes on my computer and the program fails to open.   How can I fix this?

    When I try ot open iTunes on my computer I get an error message stating "The iTunes Library.itl file cannot be found or created" and the program fails to open.  How can I fix this issue?

    Hi pgarard1,
    If you are having issues with launching iTunes after an update, you may want to take a look at the troubleshooting in the following article:
    iTunes for Windows: Doesn't open after upgrading in Windows Vista or Windows 7
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2363
    Regards,
    - Brenden

  • I just bought a macbook air, I want to cut en paste, but it doesn't work, how can I fix this?

    I just bought a macbook air, I want to cut and paste but it doesn't work.  How can I fix this?

    that all works, no problem. but if I want to devide my songs per genre, it doesn't work.  in itunes you find cut, but I can't select it.  I just can copy my songs or photos.  So I've got everything twice.  Can you explane me how I can do that? cause it's my first Apple computer

Maybe you are looking for

  • Illustrator CS4 error notification: "Error Loading Plugins. PhotoshopImport.aip"

    I am working on a Mac 10.10 Yosemite with Adobe Illustrator CS4 however every time I try to open Illustrator it brings up error notification: "Error Loading Plugins. PhotoshopImport.aip". I can't click on the OK button and the only thing I can do is

  • Is there a way you can transfer all the music from an ipod touch without losing any of it?

    I have the latest of the Ipod Touch. My computer had crash but I didn't backup any of the music to a disc but its backup on the ipod touch. I want to connect my touch to my new computer but I don't want to lose any music. Is there a way I can transfe

  • Custom Document Definition - XPath Tab

    Hello B2B Gurus I am trying to understand the value of the XPath Tab for Custom Document Defn. 1.What functionality does it provide? Documentation refers to extracting value form the Payload. 2. I have a requiremnt to extract PO number from the paylo

  • Log in SQLplus Worksheet

    Hi, I have Juts installedOracle 91 and the SQLplus seems to be wking fine .I can log in using scoot /tiger as the user nae /passowrd. I cannot log in the sqlplus worksheet which when i try to connect using the change database connection,i cannot log

  • Help. Deleted iTunes folder. No backup. No time machine.

    OS 10.5.8  iTunes 10.6.3  I deleted and emptied the trash of  my itunes folder. I still have an external media folder with all the content organized by iTunes into subfolders. What do I do now?