Need to reinstall 'System Preferences'

Hey there,
Not entirely sure whether this is the right/best forum to come to, but I have a bit of a dilemma in that 'System
Preferences' seems to have somehow vanished from my computer. This means that I can not change my wallpaper or screensaver, change my sound and screen options, etc, etc.
Was wondering if someone out there could let me know if there is anyway that I can install this application back onto my laptop without having to reinstall the whole Operating System (which would cause me to lose 20GB worth of MP3s and various other programs and data seeing as I have no other machine to back them up on)??
If not, are there any other alternatives??
Cheers! and thanks for your time!
MissIZZ

To repair the drive do the following:
Repairing the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. Then select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger.) After DU loads select your OS X volume from the list on the left, click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer. Now shutdown the computer for a couple of minutes and then restart normally.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior (3.0.3 for Tiger) and/or TechTool Pro (4.5.1 for Tiger) to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X. Note that Disk Warrior will not work on Intel Macs.
There is an option in Archive and Install to preserve the user folder and network settings. This will transfer your user folder and network settings to the newly installed system. All applications in the Applications folder are also preserved. The remainder of the old system is archived to a Previous System Folder located at the root directory of the hard drive. Once you determine you don't need anything else transferred from the old system you can trash the PSF.

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Does anybody know how to reinstall System Preferences? I accidentaly put System Preferences in the trash and emptied the trash :P

Does anybody know how to get System Preferences? A couple of weeks ago I put it in the trash and emptied it. Does anyone know how to reinstall it?

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.)
A. Drag a .pkg icon onto the Pacifist window .....proceed to step 7.
B. Click on “Open Package ....” and navigate to package desired and click “Open” in
the open/save window.....proceed to step 7.
C. 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)

Need to access system preferences on my iPad in order to open print que...do not have computer connected to air printer

How do I access system preferences on my iPad in order to open print queue in order to delete/resume print jobs?

OK. This is a new one on me. But if the printer has stopped, how do you access the print queue since the article states that you can only access the print center while the printer is printing?
Viewing the Print Queue
You can check the Print Queue by double-tapping the Home button to show the recently used apps. Then tap the Print Center.
Note: The Print Center is only available while printing is in progress.
If you can only view the print center while printing is in progress and Sharon needs to open the print queue - in order to start printing again ...... how does that work then?

Need to reinstall system software but App Store says "downloaded."

I have been waiting for an answer from Apple support, in vain. Does anyone here know how to reinstall the system software if you don't have the disks, and the App Store says "downloaded?"
Or do I have to wait until Apple somehow wakes up and resets my purchase?
I wish they had sent me disks.. Sigh.

There are no longer any system disks, everything is downloadable now. The installer deletes itself after a successful install, so you need to save a copy before using it.
If you need to reinstall OS X you now use OS X Recovery.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4718
If you need to upgrade another Mac you own, then log into the Mac App Store on that Mac and download the installer to that Mac from the Purchases pane.

Need to reinstall system onTecra M3

Due to a persistent Volume Bitmap error, I'm going to need to reinstall XP.
(Reconditioned laptop => no recovery media & restore partition deleted).
I need the install order for the drivers.
(I found the Toshiba Application installer in C:\TOSAPINS and copied that folder to external HD.)
It's a Tecra M3-S636, Part # PTM30U-0J0017
Thanks in advance.
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Tecra M3-S636
I would get the driver and utilities from here, since many have probably changed.
Install the chipset software followed by the display driver prior to any other drivers. Install the Common Modules before any other Toshiba utilities. I have attached the suggested installation order for the European equivalent of your model.
-Jerry
Attachments:
install.txt ‏4 KB

I need to reinstall system drivers but have no trackpad/keyboard to do so!!

i have a MacBook Pro and am using mac osx 10.5.4 and win xp pro with sp3
basically, i installed parallels and had problems accessing the internet via win xp (in bootcamp mode)
so i ended up uninstalling all drivers for window to rediscover the system hardware and hopefully help get access working - i have done this many times on pc's (especially just reinstalling the network adapters). i didn't realise that apple installs the drivers for the trackpad and keyboard as thought they are usb connected devices and so when i rebooted win xp again it started installing the driver for the intel cpu first of all - it got to the "continue anyway" window when it doesn't recognise the certificate but i had no mouse or keyboard to click to go ahead. the thing that messed it all up is uninstalling the usb port drivers. win xp is not choosing to reinstall them first of all and even if it did it might require me to give input.
so i am wondering if i can manually copy the drivers to the right place on the bootcamp drive by copying them through my mac desktop (i have access to the drive using paragon ntfs software) or can i edit a file to fool win xp into thinking the drivers are already reinstalled or so that it installs them fully unattended????
i desperately want to get control of my bootcamp install again because i have painstakingly installed tons of my games, securified the system and configured it alot and really am reluctant to reinstall fresh again
PLEASE TELL ME THERE IS A WORK AROUND!?????
thanks in advance guys!
Steve

is there anyone who can actually help me with this problem!!!!????? Apple, can you???????
is there a way of editing the hardware profiles manually? is the information saved in a file, etc?

Is it possible to reinstall the System Preferences without reinstalling Lion?

My System Preferences application works fine, except for the Network panel. When I try to start Network the system essentially hangs, i.e., I get the spinning color wheel and I can do very little else without large delays. All other panels work as expected. I have tried this many times through numerous reboots and power cycles. the problem first appeared last Saturday when I plugged in an ethernet cable for the first time in several months; ethernet had previously work fine. So, can I reinstall System Preferences without reinstalling Lion in its entirety? I have a 2007 Macbook (white) that cannot be upgraded to Mountain Lion.

Yes, I did too the first time. These improvements creep up on us.
Stephanie, I just responded to another posting of yours with a Time Machine question. Multiple postings divert resources and you may end up with contradictory information.
An install from the (grey) 10.6 disk will not erase your data. However, if you are using a TM backup that will write over everything and current data will be lost.
As I understand your two posts, I suggest install the operating system from the 10.6 disk.
Copy what data you can to your external hard disk.
Restore from the TM backup.
A restore from the Time Machine backup as I say will delete everything you have and replace it with the backup you select (depends on date). You can then transfer any files you copied to the hard disk if these are needed.

System preference 32 bits??

Hi,
Sorry for my english, I'm spanish. I have a "problem" with system preference. Since I've installed Snow Leopard the system preference ran in 64 bits mode, but now I don't know why always run in 32 bits.
Could you help me please?
PD:I tried to boot in 64 bits mode, and the system boots in 64 bits but the system preferences still in 32 bits. Any idea? It's possible force to run in 64 bits?
Thanks a lot
Message was edited by: Ruben P

That suggests you don't have the proper version installed. This may result from defects in a system you upgraded to SL. Perhaps you should try reinstalling SL or try replacing the application from the installer DVD. First, run the Optional Installs installer located in the folder of the same name. You may be able to reinstall System Preferences without any fanfare. However, if not then do the following:
How to Use Pacifist to Replace 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 from VersionTracker or MacUpdate. 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.)
A. Drag a .pkg icon onto the Pacifist window .....proceed to step 7.
B. Click on “Open Package ....” and navigate to package desired and click “Open” in the open/save window.....proceed to step 7.
C. 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 accedently deleted my System Preferences

Durring some reorganization, where I thought i was just deleting an icon, I apparently deleted my system preferences. If I got to apple -- system preferences, nothing happens, and when I search for it using spotlight I get nothing. Any ideas on what I can do. I really want to avoid having to reinstall os x.

TAlex88,
Welcome to Apple Discussions.
You may be able to use Pacifist to reinstall System Preferences.
If that method is not what you want, in my opinion an Archive and Install, followed by a Combo Update is no big deal.
;~)

My Systems Preferences app 'hangs'

For the last two weeks, this has been happening whenever I've needed to open Systems Preferences. The last time it worked was when I changed my desktop wallpaper. Ever after that, no matter for what reason I try to open the app, it comes up with the 'Change Desktop Wallpaper' window and I get the spinning colored ball and does nothing else.
When I force-quit the app, I get the option to 'Send Report to Apple' which I have done every single time (more than 20 times, if I remember rightly.)
This is becoming too much of a bother now. I can't access anything at all relating to my Systems Preferences, including my Network Settings, User Accounts, etc.
This never happened to me with Snow Leopard or, for that matter, with Leopard.
Disappointed with Lion overall!

No worries! Glad I could help somebody else. If you want to _really_ say "Thank you", then just award my answer with a "Helpful" ...
Best of luck!
RS

HT201250 i was trying to manually erase files from my macbook air. at one point, my system preferences disappeared from the dock and i had a pop up message telling me the application was 'incomplete'. I tried to reinstall iLife but i wont work.

I used the small key that comes with the air but it doesn't seem to be doing much. Am i supposed to be reinstalling OS X or iLife? I tried OS X and I didn't see much difference except for the return of my system preferences and safari which had initially disappeared, but I'm still missing the App Store and iPhoto. I can't reinstall iLife either.

Try a few things: 1) restart in safe mode (restart holding the shift key) and this will repair the drive (if need be) and trim/delete cache files. Restart normally.
2) if you use iPhoto or Aperture launch the program and then empty the trash folder of the program(s). Launch your Mail program and check out how much is in the Trash and Archive folders. You can delete the really old stuff if there is any.
3) Download omniDiskSweeper (free) to see what's on your drive. Be careful about deleting anything that isn't in your personal drive space and be very careful about deleting anything in the Library folder.

None of the changes I make to system preference or the dock will hold after restart. I've cleared the RAM, run disk repair and reinstalled the OS. Now what?

None of the changes I make to system preference or the dock will hold after restart. I've cleared the RAM, run disk repair and reinstalled the OS. Now what?

MobileMe closed on July 31, 2012.
It is true that the only way to sync your Mac with iCloud is to upgrad. You need to be running OS X Lion 10.7.2 or higher in order to sync your Mac with iCloud. At this point, you can upgrade directly to OS X Mountain Lion from the version of OS X you are now running (10.6.8). You can purchase and download the Mountain Lion upgrade from the Mac App Store for $19.99. After upgrading you will see iCloud in System Preferences. This guide explains how to sync your Mac with iCloud after upgrading: http://www.apple.com/icloud/setup/mac.html.
Once all your devices are signed into the same iCloud account and you have turned on your iCloud data syncing, you will be able to keep them all in sync using iCloud. You will still have to sync with iTunes to manage your iTunes media such as music, movies, podcasts, etc. You will have the option to either continue backing up automatically with your computer when you sync with iTunes, or to back up your iOS devices automatically to iCloud every 24 hours (as long as they are connected to wifi and your chargers).

My mac os x 1.5.8 system preference in gone and i need help

my mac system preference (os x 1.5.8) is gone and the computer keeps sleeping when i am watching videos

Reinstall Leopard using Archive and Install:
How to Perform an Archive and Install
An Archive and Install will NOT erase your hard drive, but you must have sufficient free space for a second OS X installation which could be from 3-9 GBs depending upon the version of OS X and selected installation options. The free space requirement is over and above normal free space requirements which should be at least 6-10 GBs. Read all the linked references carefully before proceeding.
1. Be sure to use Disk Utility first to repair the disk before performing the Archive and Install.
Repairing the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger, Leopard or Snow Leopard.) After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer. Now restart normally.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
2. Do not proceed with an Archive and Install if DU reports errors it cannot fix. In that case use Disk Warrior and/or TechTool Pro to repair the hard drive. If neither can repair the drive, then you will have to erase the drive and reinstall from scratch.
3. Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When you reach the screen to select a destination drive click once on the destination drive then click on the Option button. Select the Archive and Install option. You have an option to preserve users and network preferences. Only select this option if you are sure you have no corrupted files in your user accounts. Otherwise leave this option unchecked. Click on the OK button and continue with the OS X Installation.
4. Upon completion of the Archive and Install you will have a Previous System Folder in the root directory. You should retain the PSF until you are sure you do not need to manually transfer any items from the PSF to your newly installed system.
5. After moving any items you want to keep from the PSF you should delete it. You can back it up if you prefer, but you must delete it from the hard drive.
6. You can now download a Combo Updater directly from Apple's download site to update your new system to the desired version as well as install any security or other updates. You can also do this using Software Update.

Do I need to re-install if I'm just missing System Preferences?

Lately some parts of my system have been "disappearing." I "lost" the Activity Managet over a year ago but never really knew what I was missing. But now somehow I've lost System Preferences (It shows up with a big question mark when I click on it in the dock) and I really have need of it.
My question is: Do I need to reinstall the whole OS from the install DVD, or can I just selectively install those one or two things that have gone missing?
Imac Mac OS X (10.3.9)

hgelman,
Have you looked for System Preferences in your Application Folder? Just because the Dock icon has a question mark does not necessarily mean that it has disappeared from your system.
You can selectively reinstall files and folders with Pacifist, but depending upon the application you may have to reinstall the Mac OS X Combined Update 10.3.9 and the Security Update 2006-003 (10.3.9 Client) to get back to the most current version.
;~)

Hi, I am using my icloud on my iphone but am unable to find it on my mac book pro. It's not under my system preferences like it shows under the setup. Can I download it again? Or something. I just need to backup some files on my computer and am unable.

Hi, I am using my icloud on my iphone but am unable to find it on my mac book pro. It's not under my system preferences like it shows under the setup. Can I download it again? Or something. I just need to backup some files on my computer and am unable.

The minimum requirement for iCloud is Lion 10.7.5 (Mavericks preferred): the iCloud Preference Pane does not appear on earlier systems - the MobileMe pane appears on Lion and earlier but is now non-functional - you cannot now open or access a MobileMe account.
To make use of iCloud you will have to upgrade your Mac to Lion or Mavericks, provided it meets the requirements.
The requirements for Lion are:
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 available in the Online Apple Store ($19.99). Mountain Lion (10.8.x) is also available there at the same price but there seems little point as the system requirements are the same for Mavericks (10.9.x) - which is free - unless you need to run specific software which will run on Mountain Lion only.
The requirements for Mountain Lion and Mavericks are:
OS X v10.6.8 or later
2GB of memory
8GB of available space
and the supported models are:
iMac (Mid 2007 or newer)
MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer)
MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer)
Xserve (Early 2009)
MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer)
Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer)
Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer)
It is available from the Mac App Store (in Applications).
You should be aware that PPC programs (such as AppleWorks) will not run on Lion or above; and some other applications may not be compatible - there is a useful compatibility checklist at http://roaringapps.com/apps:table

Need to reinstall 'System Preferences'

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