System preferences freezes on desktop/screen saver

Ever since I installed Messages Beta, my System Preferences will no longer open. I tried to change my desktop background and it froze up, and the rainbow wheel shows up and I have to force quit it. I unistalled Messages, I delted the systempreference.plist or preferences.plist, I've restarted it, I've shut it down, but it continues to freeze. I am running Lion too and haven't had any issues until now. Please Help!

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.

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Why does system preferences crash when changing screen saver?

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.
When I go to /System/Library/Screen\ Savers/ there is no content there. Same goes for ~/Lirbrary/Screen\ Savers/. So it looks as if they are gone. I have a Mac Book Pro, however, that behaves the same way (except its running Snow Leopard instead of Lion). So I don't know that's it.
I have run permissions repair and checked the disk and all is well.
I have set System Preferences to not run in 32 bit, as someone suggested, but that didn't do anything either.
I have a 2009 iMac with 4GB and about 3/4th full disk.
Could anyone suggest any more alternatives?

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.
One very odd thing... I left my computer on this morning and came back a little later and lo and behold a screen saver was running. This was a bit of a surprise, seeing that when I go to the system preferences and try to see screen savers, they aren't there and that's when the app hangs. So, apparently the screen savers are SOMEWHERE, but not able to be seen. That's what is killing me. I feel as if its a permission problem, yet when I run a repair-permissions, it finds nothing wrong. The screen saver files are supposed to be somewhere, but I have a feeling they are hidden somehow, and because of that, I can't change anything. The result baffling part is that even in terminal mode, viewing /System/Library/Screen\ Savers/ or the home library folder, shows absolutely nothing in Finder OR terminal mode. So they are either completely gone or hiding. I have to assume the latter, seeing that a screen saver started up.
So if anyone has an idea how these files could be hiding, or where, other than the locations above, that would be a very good thing to know.

System Pref's freeze when trying to access "Desktop & Screen Saver"

Hi.
Every time I access the Desktop & Screen Saver category from the System Pref's window, the System Pref's freeze up (spinning beach ball of death appears) and I have to force quit.
Any thoughts?
Thanks all.
vanessa_b

Apparently, there's corruption somewhere. Move the com.apple.desktop.plist and com.apple.systempreferences.plist files out of ~/Library/Preferences/ to the desktop, move the three or four com.apple.screensaver plist files out of ~/Library/Preferences/ByHost/ to the desktop, log out and back in. Now try to set the Desktop & Screensaver PrefPane. Note that you'll have to reset some items in System Preferences. If that fixes the problem, then one or more of those plist files is the culprit. You have two options. Reset your System Prefs and throw away the files you moved to the desktop or replace the new ones with the ones you took out, one at a time, until you find the one causing the problem.

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 reappea

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.

Desktop & Screen Saver pane won't open in System Preferences

Whenever I go to open the Desktop & Screen Saver pane in System Preferences, it won't work and I get the message "Preferences Error: Could not load Desktop & Screen Saver preference pane." Please help. Thank you very much.

This thread sounds pretty much the same as yours.....
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1521783
The only thing I can think of might be a corrupted System Preferences .plist file
Home folder > Library > Preferences > com.apple.systempreferences.plist > drag that .plist to the desktop and try System Preferences again.....
A new plist file will be created when you open System Preferences again....

I was changing my desktop screen saver in system preferences screen protection. Now it says it is "Loading Images" and won't stop. The Colourful wheel goes around for ever and It does not stop. Can anyone help me?

I was changing my desktop screen saver in system preferences>screen protection. Now it says it is "Loading Images" and won't stop. The Colourful wheel goes around for ever and It does not stop. Can anyone help me?

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
I have seen a lot of cases like your issue, and it's easy to solve.
First, open Disk Utility, select Macintosh HD in the sidebar and repair permissions. Sometimes, a permission can be damaged and it makes that an application doesn't work properly.
If that doesn't work, open Finder, select Go menu > Go to Folder, type ~/Library/Prefereces, delete "com.apple.desktop.plist" and "com.apple.systempreferences.plist" and restart

System Preferences- Desktop/Screen saver- crash EVERY TIME

Hi-
I have a brand new iMAc 24" with Leopard and all software is up to date via update as of 12 hours ago (10.5.1 etc). I have office 2004 and photoshop/illustrator but NO other software loaded. The computer is now 7 days old. Yesterday I used system preferences to change my desktop picture to something from my iPhoto library, as per normal with 10.5.1 I got one picture up and then went to change it and now EVERY TIME I try to change anything in the desktop/screen saver system preferences the application dies. I can get the desktop/screen saver page to open but as soon as I click any conceivable option on that window the system preferences application dies. I have sent about 7 crash reports to apple and see that others are describing similar (not identical) problems. Is apple going to fix this? I DID not install leopard on this computer, its BRAND NEW. The only thing I have done is to update whatever apple told me was available. HELP...

My computer was a month old when I installed Leopard (which turned out to be an adventure....), and once I finally got a proper install one of the features I explored was Desktop and Screensaver, specifically I tried the new mosaic option in the Screensaver for pictures, it seemed to work. The 10.5.1 update came out, a bit later I tried that Screensaver option again and not only did it not work, but it crashed System Prefs. I ended up trashing every plist and cache file having to do with System Prefs, Screensaver, and iphotomosaic in my home ~/Library folder. Oh, and in searching for them they managed to crash the Finder too. So take a look thru ~/Library, especially Preferences, be sure to also look in the ByHost folder, and you might also check the Caches folder. Remove all files you can find that have to do with System Prefs, Screensaver, and Desktop. Once I did that all was fine again with my System Prefs. The mosaic option even started working again.
Francine
Francine
Schwieder

Desktop/Screen Saver panel missing in System Preferences

Hello,
I recently had to have my hard drive changed and I reloaded OSX 10.6.8 back on it along with the applications DVD. Now when I go to the system preferences, the DESKTOP/SCREEN SAVER panel is no longer listed. I am very new to my Imac and tried to reinstall the applications disk. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to fix this problem so I can change the desktop pictures? Thanks

Open System Preferences and go to View menu (on the menu bar). You should see Desktop & Screen Saver listed.
If you see it, go to View menu > Customize, and mark "Desktop & Screen Saver".
If you do not see it, insert the Snow Leopard DVD, hold the C key while your computer is starting up and reinstall Mac OS X

Desktop/Screen Saver System Preferences don't work

Recently, I have gone to System Preferences- Desktop/Screen Saver, in an attempt to change my desktop picture. The preference window opens, but clicking on either the Desktop or Screen Saver button produces no results. Nothing happens. I'm getting rather tired of the desktop picture, so any advice would be appreciated!
Thank you.
Cameron MacDonald

Hi Cameron I'm not going to be much help because I too have exactly the same problem with my machine - I have tried re-installing Leopard and that makes not one scrap of difference - I have cleared out all the rubbish on the machine - no difference - sent umpteen "reports" to Apple expecting some sort of response - after all the OS is the best thing since sliced bread so they can't have many reports to deal with - perhaps its us causing the problem.
Regards Bob

System preference freezes on screen saver icon

system preferences freezes when trying to use desktopand scree saver

Back up all data. Quit System Preferences if it's running.
Triple-click the line below on this page to select it, then copy the text to the Clipboard (command-C):
~/Library/Preferences/ByHost
In the Finder, select
Go ▹ Go to Folder...
from the menu bar. Paste into the box that opens (command-V), then press return. A folder should open. If it does, look for a file with a long name that begins "com.apple.screensaver". There may be two such files. Move the onewithout the word "slideshow" in the name to the Trash.
Test. If the problem is resolved. recreate your settings in the Screen Saver tab.

Can't Access Desktop & Screen Saver Preferences

Hi everyone,
Can't figure this one out!!!
In the main System Preferences>Show All, the title of Desktop & Screen Saver icon has changed to "DesktopScreenEffectsPrefDock". It is all smashed together like that and partially overlays the "Appearance" title to the left of it.
When I click on the icon, the new window appears, but the Desktop & Screen Saver preferences don't display inside it. The title appears in the top bar of the window, but it is empty below that. Any other preferences icons I click on display fine.
Any thoughts?
I did just have the processor upgrade done, and also removed some bad memory. Not sure if that's contributing? I'd be grateful for any help.
TJ
G4 800 MHz, upgraded to dual 1.8MHz processor Mac OS X (10.3.9)
G4 800 MHz Mac OS X (10.3.9)
G4 800 MHz Mac OS X (10.3.9) Recent upgrade to Sonnet Duet Dual 1.8 GHz processor
G4 800 MHz Mac OS X (10.3.9) Recent upgrade to Sonnet Duet Dual 1.8 GHz processor

TJ,
I am unfamiliar with all of the options provided by YASU, and other than flipping a coin or throwing caution to the wind I am unable to advise.
Perhaps an Archive and Install followed by the 10.3.9 Combo Update, and Security Update 2006-003 (10.3.9 Client) may be called for.
;~)

No Aperture photos show up in Desktop & Screen Saver System Prefernences

For some time I have experienced an issue wherein no photos from my Aperature library appear in my Desktop & Screen Saver System Preferences on the Desktop tab. "Aperture" appears in the left-hand column list of photo sources, but clicking it produces no results on the right-hand side where the thumbnails are normally shown. Curiously, if I choose the Screen Saver tab on the same preference pane, the photos all show up and are accessible.
As another bit of background, I do sync a number of photos from Aperature to my iOS devices using iTunes and never have an issue. The full listing of albums/folders appears in iTunes properly every time.
I have tried the all of the iLife Sharing options within Aperature and they do not seem to have any effect on this issue. I've been sticking with Share on Exit, since my iOS devices have no problems with this setting.
Also, if I choose a photo from within Aperature to set as my desktop photo it does work, but again, when I open the System Preferences neither the thumbnail for the background being used nor any other photos show up.
Any advice on things I can try?

Have you tried switching libraries, then quitting Aperture, and checking Desktop & Screen Saver again? I'd be interested to see if your particular issue manifests in a different library.

Could not load Desktop & Screen Saver preference pane.

Upgraded 10.10.3. Tried to use "desktop & ScreenSaver" system preferences and only get this message...
Could not load Desktop & Screen Saver preference pane.
Help!

If you see a "could not load" alert when opening a System Preferences pane

My system preferences freezes every time i try to change my desktop

Each time I open my system preferenes to change my desktop picture, system preferences freezes. I have tried moving my iphoto library to another location and that didnt work. Does anyone have any other solutions?

Could be corrupted preferences...
Go to ~/Library/Preferences
Move the com.apple.systemprefeences.plist file from the Preferences folder to the Trash.
Restart your Mac, open System Preferences, try again.

Preferences error, could not load Desktop & Screen Saver preference pane.

Preferences error, could not load Desktop & Screen Saver preference pane.

Close all windows and quit all applications.
Hold the option key down and click the "Go" menu in the Finder menubar.
Select "Library" from the dropdown, then "Preferences" folder.
Look for these three files.
com.apple.screensaver.plist
com.apple.desktop.plist
com.apple.systempreferences.plist
Right click each one of those and select " Move To Trash" from the contextual menu.
Restart the computer.

System preferences freezes on desktop/screen saver

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