System preferences crash when trying to change network settings web proxy

Question

I'm trying to add a web proxy under the network panel of system preferences. When I set up the password for the web proxy, the system preference panel crashes. I've successfully done this in the past. I'm not sure why the problem is occuring now.
imac G3   Mac OS X (10.4.8)   summer 2000 slot loading dvd imac

Answer 1

First thing to do is download Preferential Treatment and check all preference files, while logged into that problematic account. Trash any that it finds broken/corrupt. Quit the associated apps and try System Preferences again. If PT doesn't find any, then move the usual plists to the Desktop (com.apple.systempreferences.plist amd com.apple.NetworkUtility/plist in ~/Library/Preferences/, including any such as com.apple.systempreferences.XXXXXXXXXXXXXX.plists in the ByHost folder and try System Preferences again.
If those steps don't fix things, you can either copy the ones from the new user to the corrupt user, a couple at a time, log out and back in, and see if any fix or break things. That's a slow and tedious process. Alternatively, log into the new account, reset prefs, and eventally delete the old one. There's no easy way except to routinely make a bootable backup/clone and when you experience these kinds of problems again, restore it, and move on.