System Preferences Crashes When "Desktop and Screen Saver" Selected

Help. My System Preferences crashes shortly after "Desktop and Screen Saver" is selected. I'm running 10.4.10 and the firmware is up to date. I have also repaired the permissions.

This issue is often caused by a plist file which is corrupt or contains an invalid setting. To fix this issue, create a new folder on the desktop and then choose Go to Folder from the Finder's Go menu. Enter ~/Library/Preferences/ByHost/ as the folder's path and drag everything with a name containing com.apple.screensaver to the folder on the desktop. If the issue persists, return to the ByHost folder, press the Command and Up keys simultaneously, and then move the file named com.apple.desktop.plist to the folder you created earlier. If everything works properly with both files in the folder you created, it is safe to throw it away.
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    HI and Welcome to Apple Discussions and congrats on your new iMac.
    Try repairing disk permissions.
    Quit any open applications/programs. Launch Disk Utility. (Applications/Utilities) Select MacintoshHD in the panel on the left, select the FirstAid tab. Click: Repair Disk Permissions. When it's finished from the Menu Bar, Quit Disk Utility and restart your Mac. If you see a long list of "messages" in the permissions window, it's ok. That can be ignored. As long as you see, "Permissions Repair Complete" when it's finished... you're done. Quit Disk Utility and restart your Mac.
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    Repair permissions after the installation.
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    In System Prefereneces, when I am in Desktop and Screen Saver, I am unable to remove folders. I can click the "-" and the folder appears to be gone, but when I close and then reopen System Preferences, and open Desktop and Screen Saver, the folder reappears in the list. I have tried deleting preferences "plist" but I am totally unable to remove the folders.

    I've seen one other report like yours, and I think the issue is caused by a bug, but I don't know what triggers it.
    Please read this whole message before doing anything.
    This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
    The purpose of the test is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party software that loads automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, or by corruption of certain system caches. 
    Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.
    Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and  Wi-Fi on certain iMacs. The next normal boot 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, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

  • HT1338 My system preference hang after i click desktop and screen saver app.

    When ever i try to change my wall paper or click on my desktop and screen saver app the system preference hang..
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    Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
    Try to delete the Desktop settings file. First, open Finder, select Go menu > Go to Folder, and type ~/Library/Preferences. Then, delete "com.apple.desktop.plist" and "com.apple.systempreferences.plist", and restart. Finally, you should be able to go to Desktop and Screen Saver on System Preferences

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    There are several posts in this same vein, here, but I can't seem to find a specific one.
    I had a process that ran and accidently began removing portions of my "user" directory.  I used time machine to restore and everything seems fine now.
    However, I noticed that after awhile, the screen saver would come up rather than just blanking the screen.  I decided this would be ok, so I when to System Preferences-> Desktop and Screen Saver then clicked the Screen Saver tab. I chose one of the screen savers, but didn't like it. But upon re-entering the System Preferences a second time, low and behold, there were NO screen savers listed and the process hung and wouldn't close.  I finally had to stop the process from the Activity Monitor, at which point it gave a dump. This has happened about 10 times.
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    Thanks Linc.  I am not really comfortable with the re-install approach I guess, but it may be all I have left.  I tried to go back to a previous backup on Time Machine and just replace systempreferences.app but the backup wouldn't let me do that.  I have restored library in my home directory but I did so only piecemeal based on things that seemingly got disturbed.
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    Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
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    Apple doesn’t routinely monitor the discussions. These are mostly user to user discussions.
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