Troubleshooting font problem

Question

I recently ran into what appeared to be a font-related problem with a new app I was trying out. When I opened FontBook I found that I had numerous duplicates. I used the Resolve Duplicates command and I also manually disabled all of the foreign language fonts I could identify.
I also attempted to follow a procedure that was recommended somewhere in support literature, (although I'm embarrassed to say I can't recall where I read it now), suggesting that dragging the fonts folder out of the System/Library folder and back in again would help to identify corrupt fonts. It also said that MS Word would then check fonts when it started up. I did this and Word did, in fact, go through a font inspection when opened. For some reason, however, it seemed to think that every single font was corrupt and I had to click OK for each one.
Unfortunately, now when I attempt to start a different app -FileMaker Pro (7.0v3)- it crashes every time. I'm not really qualified to evaluate crash logs but there seems to be indication of font-related items. I've done the usual assortment of preference trashing, checking for and installing updates (FileMaker), disk and permission repair including DiskWarrior, but I've still got the same crash on startup with FM.
Font validation in FontBook revealed 3 corrupt fonts - two (both Asian languages of some kind - sorry) that were already disabled and Gr Courier. Disabling the latter appears to have made no difference.
So, I'm looking for some guidance in the way of troubleshooting the font issue. For what it's worth, I appear to have lots of non-system fonts in my System/Library/Fonts folder. Not sure what I should try next. Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks - JAY

Answer 1

How do you identify the latter? Basically if
they're
in the System/Library/Fonts or Library/Fonts
folders?
Can you delete anything from those folders? When
even
look into those directories in the Finder they
automatically close.
It depends on the applications. Office always
installs in the user fonts ~/Library/Fonts, where ~ =
your home folder, is short hand for /Users/your
user short name. Other programs install in
/Library/Fonts so all users, and the program no
matter who is running it, can reach the fonts. You
have to check the creation date and version of each
one, which can be done inside FontBook or using the
Finder.
The Font folders close right after you open them?
Really? I've never seen that. Makes me wonder what
else is going on with your system.
Tell me about it... Here's what I've just noticed. If I have the Trash window open on the desktop I look into the System/Library/Fonts folder (in another window, of course), make selections, scroll, etc. However, if I close the Trash window and THEN try to open the above folder ALL Finder windows close and reopen, PLUS the Trash window is automatically opened.
There are no fonts in the trash as far as I can see.
I also use
FontDoctor to check our fonts.
Is this a good app? I hate to spend another $70 if
I
don't need to but I might if it would help me get
through this issue.
It is much better finding fonts that are incomplete
sets (screen set but no printing set, and vice versa)
and other problems. If you buy fonts, or deal with
any sizable amount for layout/publishing... this tool
is a must.
Sounds like I might benefit from this. For now, though, I think I'm going to to follow the procedure outlined here for Undoing (resetting?) FontBook:
<http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/undofontbook.html#Anchor-14210>
At that point, I'll see if FileMaker is working again then go try your procedure for deleting duplicates. It's possible that I may need to consider replacing my main drive. My boot partition is pretty full and I think if I'm going to go through the pain of reauthorizing all my apps I'm going to start with a new and bigger drive.
JAY