System profiler won't come up

Hello all,
I have a G3 350 running OS 10.3.9 and I have had a problem with the system profiler. Whenever I try to run it, it pops up in the dock but goes away and then I get a message saying the application unexpectedly quit. Does anyone have any idea why this is happening? Thanks.

have you tried going through this article?? http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=152368 some of it seems odd, like the hardware stuff, but it is specific to your problem. i guess i would go through anything applicable in the article and then just do regular troubleshooting, like creating a test user to see if it is user related, then i would probably run disk repair, and if that still doesn't turn up anything, then a safe boot would be a good thing to do too.

Similar Messages

"About this Mac" (System Profiler) won't open

I have been having some strange problems with my computer. I got a new MBA a couple of weeks ago. I installed 10.6.4 with all the old folders and files from the old computer (MBA too Rev C).
Now "About this Mac won't open". It opened before I shifted everything over to the new computer.
The other thing is that an external USB drive won't mount. It mounts on the Powerbook I have and I can move files from and to it. However, on the new MBA, only the external drive appears. The other part is grayed out, and it doesn't mount, as I have said.
I don't know whether these two things are related or not but I thought I would just mention this other problem I just noticed at the same time. (I will make a new question about it.)
The external USB memory drive is formatted to MacOSX extended journal.
I did repair and verify on Disk Utility and these things checked out OK.
I just checked it on the old MBA (same OS) and it mounts fine and I can manipulate contents of the drive.
Is it something to do with firmware issues?
I just tested another USB memory drive and it has the same problem as the other USB memory drive.
I don't know what my next step is.
I want to use the newer MBA instead of having to use the older MBA and the Powerbook to use the USB memory drives. These USB memory drives are USB 2.0. As I have said they work fine on the other older computers.
On the older MBA, "About this Mac" works fine.
I haven't done that much since I migrated everything over to the new MBA. I have just been surfing the Internet. I don't know when the System Profiler failed to work. I tried to open it for the first time since I moved the contents of the old MBA over just now.

I opened System Profiler by launching it from Utilities.
It comes up with a different name to the admin name though. Maybe that's why it won't open from "About this Mac"?
For example, the computer's name when I set it up using the USB installer stick is "Harry Potter".
But the old MBA that I had was named "js".
When I install programs, it comes up with "Harry Potter", put in password.
However, when I look up the System Profiler information using Utilities, it comes up with "js's MacBook Air (2)".
Does that matter?
Is the name thing causing the problem with the "About This Mac" not opening?
I am really confused about all of this.
The information in the System Profiler is about the newer MBA.
Should I just not worry about this problem? And just open it up from Utilities if I need to look up System Profiler information?

System Profiler won't launch

I don't often use System Profiler but recently I tried to and it wouldn't launch - neither from the 'more info' button in the 'About this Mac' window, nor when I tried directly double-clicking on the application itself. The icon seems to expand for a fraction of a second as if it was going to launch, and then collapses back to normal again.
I have probably downloaded a few system updates since I last used System Profiler - could one of these be the problem? I have tried resetting the PRam with no effect.
Can anyone offer any suggestions?
Danny

HI Danny,
*" If it's not there, shouldn't it be created when I open System Profiler?"*
Absolutely. Are you following the right path? Users/YourName/Library/Preferences
*Not MacintoshHD/Library/Preferences.*
To reinstall applications that came with your Mac:
Insert the Mac OS X Install Disc and double-click the package that installs bundled software or additional software. A package has an icon that looks like an opened box.
Follow the onscreen instructions. If you see a pane with a Customize button, click Customize and select the application you want to install. If you see a pane that lets you choose what to install, click the disclosure triangle beside Applications and select the application you want to install.
If you can’t find the application you’re looking for, you may need to reinstall Mac OS X. Your documents and user settings will remain.
Insert the Mac OS X Install Disc and double-click the Install Mac OS X icon. In the pane where you select the destination disk, select your current Mac OS X disk, and click Options. Select “Archive and Install” and “Preserve Users and Network Settings.”
Carolyn

System Profiler Won't save file

I'm trying to save my System Profile file for a software vendor that requested it and when I do it gets to about 50% and then closes.
They said there may be a problem with the OS so I re-formatted and re-installed OSX Tiger this morning and ran all the Apple updates and I'm still getting the same error message.
What do I need to do to fix this?
Steve Cohen
Senior Editor
O2 Media Inc.

BDAqua wrote:
Might try double clicking this that will launch Terminal and run it, not certain what it's supposed to do since I'm on Leopard right now, but may or may not give a clue...
/System/Library/SystemProfiler/SPFireWireReporter.spreporter/Contents/MacOS/SPFi reWireReporter
That did nothing. Actually it wouldn't even open in terminal.
Did you try making a new Admin Account and seeing if it does the same there?
Like I said before this is a freshly formatted system with just the Apple updates on it, but I did try making a new account and the same thing happened, when I tried to save the System Profiler it quit at FireWire.

System Profiler won't launch/ About this Mac more info button grayed out

Panther 10.3.9 on 1.25 imac G4. I recently restored this mac to get ready to sell it and after the restore and Panther upgrade (from system discs) System Profiler no longer launches. I have run disk utility to repair permissions. The area in the dock opens up for the System Profiler icon but it just shuts right back down. I can't launch it directly from utilities and the "more info" button on the about this mac menu is grayed out. Anyone have a solution? Thanks!

Hi cornelius,
I posted the link to the thread due to the fact that there were a number of suggestions of troubleshooting the user could try to resolve their issue.
One was the standard Repair Disk/Repair Permissions, one was to reset PRAM (not sure why that was suggested in this particular case), and one was to check to see if it could be a font issue and one was to test with a new user account to see if the problem was system wide. And one was for reinstalling System Profiler by using Pacifist.
The OP in that thread did not post back to indicate if any of the suggestions helped but I thought that the OP here might benefit.
I wasn't suggesting anything specific as I personally have never had the problem but I thought those suggestions might help the OP.
Or am I misunderstanding what you are asking?
best as always,
littleshoulders

IPhone 3G won't show up in iTunes but does in System Profiler

So early today, when I was clicking check for updates every half hour like everyone else waiting for 3.0 to go live I had this crop up. I had quit iTunes, unplugged the iPhone (2.2.1) and when I plugged it in.. nothing.. didn't even get the chirp from the iPhone showing it was charging, it won't auto-launch iTunes and if Itunes is open it won't chow up.
- Tried a original iPhone cord and same thing,
- used a Apple wall charger and the phone chirped and showed it was charging
- restarted the Mac Pro and the iPhone, still nothing
- took the original cord and phone (still v2.2.1) to a iMac in another room and it worked perfectly.
- used the iMac to update to iPhone 3.0 software
- went back to the Mac Pro and it charges now, shows up in System Profiler, nothing else
Latest version of all the software, including 2.2.1 (and then 3.0) on the iPhone. All the updates on the Mac Pro.
Hints short of nuking my iTunes completely (and all my rankings, etc in my music)?

Oh, one more thing, I have reset PRAM if that matters.

Won't appear on desktop/iTunes, but shows in System Profiler as connected

Hope someone can help... I've been through all the steps. My Nano is connected, charging etc. But I've tried with two computers and although it shows up in the System Profiler as connected to my USB port, it will not show up on the desktop or in iTunes. I've tried resetting. The cable and ports are obviously fine because it IS connected. Does anyone have any ideas?
Thank you!

OK. For the record, the iPod is playing fine. I listened to it for over an hour yesterday. Still not being recognized by iTunes on any of my 3 computers, or showing up on the desktop. But system profiler shows it connected, and today I went to Disk Utility. This is what happened:
+Apr 3 19:13:48: Disk Utility started.+
+Verifying volume “Laurie’s iPodNano”+
+Checking HFS Plus volume.+
+Checking Extents Overflow file.+
+Checking Catalog file.+
+Invalid key length+
+The volume Laurie’s iPodNano needs to be repaired.+
+Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit+
+Disk Utility stopped verifying “Laurie’s iPodNano” because the following error was encountered:+
+The underlying task reported failure on exit+
+1 HFS volume checked+
+ Volume needs repair+
+Verify and Repair disk “Laurie’s iPodNano”+
+Checking HFS Plus volume.+
+Checking Extents Overflow file.+
+Checking Catalog file.+
+Invalid key length+
+Volume check failed.+
+Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit+
+Disk Utility stopped repairing “Laurie’s iPodNano” because the following error was encountered:+
+The underlying task reported failure on exit+
+1 HFS volume checked+
+ 1 volume could not be repaired because of an error+
So does anyone know what this means? It seems to me that I now have an iPod which will be fine for listening to the music already on it, but I won't be able to add or change anything on it. Which means I have to spring for another one. I only bought this one (refurbished, now I think I know why...) in 1/07.

I updated Efi firmware, but force quit twitter to install. Now system won't come on, it just shows grey screen with the spinning wheel loading. I am running lion 10.7.3

I updated Efi firmware, but force quit twitter to install. Now system won't come on, it just shows grey screen with the spinning wheel loading. I am running lion 10.7.3.
Thank you

The following support article is somewhat outdated. Where it refers to booting from an installation disc, you should boot from your recovery partition (if running 10.7 or later) by holding down the key combination command-R at the chime.
Mac OS X: Gray screen appears during startup

I have both a MacBook Pro and macair but the pro won't let me in I think it something to do with hard disc or permissions as it says system profiler in utilities , if anyone could help I'd be very grateful

I have both a MacBook Pro and macair but the pro won't let me in I think it something to do with hard disc or permissions as it says system profiler in utilities , if anyone could help I'd be very grateful

Restart the MBP and immediately hold the option key down. Release the key when you see the Apple logo. The computer will boot and show you a screen with two hard drive icons.
Select Recovery and hit Return.
On the new screen, select Disk Utility and hit Return.
In DU do this:
In the list at the left, select the name of your hard drive. (Be sure to select the name that’s indented to the right in the list, not an item at the far left.)
Click First Aid.
If Disk Utility tells you the disk is about to fail, back it up and replace it. You can’t repair it.
Click Repair Disk.
When that is done, click Repair Permissions. Be patient!
When that is done, quit DU and restart in the usual way.

When i plug in my iPad2, iPhoto comes on not iTunes. I see iPad in system profiler under USB. I have reset, removed and re-downloaded iTunes. When I download iTunes it works until the next time i plug in the iPad2 and then the same thing all over.

When i plug in my iPad2, iPhoto comes on not iTunes. I see iPad in system profiler under USB. I have reset, removed and re-downloaded iTunes. When I download iTunes it works until the next time i plug in the iPad2 and then the same thing all over.

Go through this support doc:
OS: Device not recognised in iTunes
Windows: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1538

I have a big ? in my docK that says system profiler but when I double click nothing comes up - where is the system profiler

I have a big ? in my dock that says "System Profiler" but when I double click nothing comes up - where is the system profiler --

Thank you so much - System Information did it!!

I have a perplexing issue regarding a huge discrepancy between perceived storage usage and what shows up in system profiler?

I am currently thinking about what my next laptop is going to be after my MacBook Pro from about 2009 finally gives out (still going strong!), and I am in between the 128GB and the 256GB MacBook Air models so I wanted to get an idea of how much space I was using right now. When I use the system profiler I get this result:
Yet when I use MacKeeper's Disk Usage Utility I get this result:
The biggest issue being, why is there almost 50GB of difference in Music alone? This computer has been through every OS since the one it came out with (think it was Snow Leopard), I have always used MacKeeper to keep everything in order and it's been running great ever since. But can somebody please explain where these discrepancies come from and how I can fix them?

For information about the Other category in the Storage display, see this support article. If the Storage display seems to be inaccurate, try rebuilding the Spotlight index.
Empty the Trash if you haven't already done so. If you use iPhoto, empty its internal Trash first:
iPhoto ▹ Empty Trash
Do the same in other applications, such as Aperture, that have an internal Trash feature. Then restart the computer. That will temporarily free up some space.
According to Apple documentation, you need at least 9 GB of available space on the startup volume (as shown in the Finder Info window) for normal operation. You also need enough space left over to allow for growth of the data. There is little or no performance advantage to having more available space than the minimum Apple recommends. Available storage space that you'll never use is wasted space.
When Time Machine backs up a portable Mac, some of the free space will be used to make local snapshots, which are backup copies of recently deleted files. The space occupied by local snapshots is reported as available by the Finder, and should be considered as such. In the Storage display of System Information, local snapshots are shown as Backups. The snapshots are automatically deleted when they expire or when free space falls below a certain level. You ordinarily don't need to, and should not, delete local snapshots yourself. If you followed bad advice to disable local snapshots by running a shell command, you may have ended up with a lot of data in the Other category. Ask for instructions in that case.
See this support article for some simple ways to free up storage space.
You can more effectively use a tool such as OmniDiskSweeper (ODS) or GrandPerspective (GP) to explore the volume and find out what's taking up the space. You can also delete files with it, but don't do that unless you're sure that you know what you're deleting and that all data is safely backed up. That means you have multiple backups, not just one. Note that ODS only works with OS X 10.8 or later. If you're running an older OS version, use GP.
Deleting files inside an iPhoto or Aperture library will corrupt the library. Any changes to a photo library must be made from within the application that created it. The same goes for Mail files.
Proceed further only if the problem isn't solved by the above steps.
ODS or GP can't see the whole filesystem when you run it just by double-clicking; it only sees files that you have permission to read. To see everything, you have to run it as root.
Back up all data now.
If you have more than one user account, make sure you're logged in as an administrator. The administrator account is the one that was created automatically when you first set up the computer.
Install the app you downloaded in the Applications folder as usual. Quit it if it's running.
Triple-click anywhere in the corresponding line of text below on this page to select it, then copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C:
sudo /Applications/OmniDiskSweeper.app/Contents/MacOS/OmniDiskSweeper
sudo /Applications/GrandPerspective.app/Contents/MacOS/GrandPerspective
Launch the built-in Terminal application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Terminal in the icon grid.
Paste into the Terminal window by pressing command-V. You'll be prompted for your login password, which won't be displayed when you type it. You may get a one-time warning to be careful. If you see a message that your username "is not in the sudoers file," then you're not logged in as an administrator.
The application window will open, eventually showing all files in all folders, sorted by size. It may take a few minutes for the app to finish scanning.
I don't recommend that you make a habit of doing this. Don't delete anything as root. If something needs to be deleted, make sure you know what it is and how it got there, and then delete it by other, safer, means. When in doubt, leave it alone or ask for guidance.
When you're done with the app, quit it and also quit Terminal.

Isight not listed under firewire in system profile

hello all,
All of a sudden my isight is not listed under firewire in the system profile. I've tried restarting with it plugged in and with it not plugged in. The green light of the camera will come on for a few seconds then shuts off when i do plug it into a firewire port. I have tried both ports on the computer and it is the same thing with each. I use yahoo messenger and no camera is listed there anymore. I also have iglasses installed and it always worked great. I guess I need to know how to get the system to list it again!
Thanks in advance for any help!
Tim

Welcome to Apple Discussions, Tim
Sorry Tony's good suggestion did not work for you.
(1) You can try the other checks, including checks for things like bad cables or ports, from How to test your iSight to ensure it is functional. If you can, it will be particularly helpful to try your iSight on another Mac and try another iSight on your Mac.
(2) Click the highlighted items in System Profiler as follows to check for iSight:
If your iSight is still not recognized in System Profiler, try the suggestions in Apple's What to do if your computer won't recognize a FireWire device article.
(3) If you can get your external iSight recognized as a Firewire device in System Profiler but your iSight is still not working, you should next try all relevant suggestions from Apple's How to Troubleshoot iSight.
Be sure to include the checks for whether the problem is "application-specific" and "user-specific". Click here if you need help creating a new user account to check whether your problem is "user-specific" during Troubleshooting.
(4) If you cannot get System Profiler to recognize iSight as a Firewire device after trying all relevant suggestions, contact Apple or an Apple-Authorized Service Provider for service.
EZ Jim
Mac OS X (10.4.10) G5 DP 1.8 External iSight

Unable to open SYSTEM PROFILER

Hi all,
I updated my software to 10.5.8.
Since then i'm unable to open system profiler.
Tried using the:
a) option button > then click system profiler
b) spotlight
c) apple logo > abt this mac>
Please help.
Many thanks in advance

HI,
Try deleting this file.
com.apple.systemprofiler.plist
~/Library/Preferences.
Move that file to the Trash then try to launch the System Profiler.
If that doesn't work you could perform an Archive & Install which would reinstall a new copy of the Mac OS X for you which would install the System Profiler app.
As with any installation, make sure and back up all important data first.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1545
Then repair 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.
Carolyn

I looked at system.log in the system profiler today and see lots of activity at 2 a.m. when I was fast asleep, should I worry? It seems to reset hostname and mentions frequent transitions for interface, looks weird to me (I'm not a teckie!)

I looked at system.log in the system profiler today and see lots of activity at 2 a.m. when I was fast asleep, should I worry? It seems to reset hostname and mentions frequent transitions for interface, looks weird to me (I'm not a teckie!)
This is a section:
May 12 02:05:10 wendy-drapers-macbook configd[14]: setting hostname to "wendy-drapers-macbook.local"
May 12 02:05:29 wendy-drapers-macbook kernel[0]: Auth result for: 00:26:44:14:17:a3 MAC AUTH succeeded
May 12 02:05:29 wendy-drapers-macbook kernel[0]: AirPort: Link Up on en1
May 12 02:05:29 wendy-drapers-macbook mDNSResponder[16]: Note: Frequent transitions for interface en1 (192.168.1.92); network traffic reduction measures in effect
May 12 02:05:29 macbook configd[14]: setting hostname to "macbook.lan"
May 12 02:05:31 macbook mDNSResponder[16]: Note: Frequent transitions for interface en1 (FE80:0000:0000:0000:021E:C2FF:FEB3:1A3E); network traffic reduction measures in effect
May 12 02:05:34 macbook com.apple.launchd[1] (org.samba.nmbd): Throttling respawn: Will start in 5 seconds

I've been seeing messages exactly like that (and many, many other kinds) in the Console since the first version of OS X. They look menacing but are harmless.
You don't need any kind of security software.
Just surf the web carefully, pay attention to where you're going and don't install anything that you don't recognize. If you are asked to enter an admin user name and password, DON'T. Unless you know for sure that you initiated the installation from a known and reliable source (like Apple).
Mac malware relies on social engineering. No amount of security/anti-virus, blah, blah, blah software is going to help.

System profiler won't come up

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