What's causing this problem?

I have a 20" iMac. All was working fine since I bought it earlier this year. I have done all the updates as they appear.
Today, all the sudden, I am not able to click on anything. I use the mouse to get the pointer over an item (ie. Safari or iMovie), but when I click on it, nothing happens. I can't open any of the pop down menus (ie. Finder or File).
I tried to unplug it and restart, but still nothing...
Thanks for any help.

Reinstall OS X:
How to Perform an Archive and Install
An Archive and Install will NOT erase your hard drive, but you must have sufficient free space for a second OS X installation which could be from 3-9 GBs depending upon the version of OS X and selected installation options. The free space requirement is over and above normal free space requirements which should be at least 6-10 GBs. Read all the linked references carefully before proceeding.
1. Be sure to use Disk Utility first to repair the disk before performing the Archive and Install.
Repairing the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger.) After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported, then quit DU and return to the installer.
2. Do not proceed with an Archive and Install if DU reports errors it cannot fix. In that case use Disk Warrior and/or TechTool Pro to repair the hard drive. If neither can repair the drive, then you will have to erase the drive and reinstall from scratch.
3. Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When you reach the screen to select a destination drive click once on the destination drive then click on the Option button. Select the Archive and Install option. You have an option to preserve users and network preferences. Only select this option if you are sure you have no corrupted files in your user accounts. Otherwise leave this option unchecked. Click on the OK button and continue with the OS X Installation.
4. Upon completion of the Archive and Install you will have a Previous System Folder in the root directory. You should retain the PSF until you are sure you do not need to manually transfer any items from the PSF to your newly installed system.
5. After moving any items you want to keep from the PSF you should delete it. You can back it up if you prefer, but you must delete it from the hard drive.
6. You can now download a Combo Updater directly from Apple's download site to update your new system to the desired version as well as install any security or other updates. You can also do this using Software Update.

Similar Messages

What is causing this problem and what are you doing to fix it? Should I just go back to Internet Explorer?

Every single day, Firefox crashes and sometimes in the most inopertune time. This is very frustrating as some of the times I can not go back in and correct what I was not able to do due to your site crashing. What is causing this problem and what are you doing to fix it? Should I just go back to Internet Explorer?

First, you must use a specific [[Managing profiles|profile]] for Firefox 4.0 Beta and keep your current one for Firefox 3.6 to prevent interferences between the two versions.
For your problem:
# [[Troubleshooting extensions and themes]] could be a cause.
# If not 1. and if it does not happen in [[Safe Mode]], you must disable HW acceleration in Options > Advanced > General. If it solves your issue, your graphic driver is out-of-date and must be updated. Go to your computer manufacturer support site.

My latest pano photo have missing landscape. Some of the photos are merged into one. I can provide the examples. What could cause this problem on a new 5C?

My latest pano photo have missing landscape. Some of the photos are merged into one. I can provide the examples. What could cause this problem on a new 5C?

Thanks for the input. I was finally able to find some test conditions that duplicated the problem, and it is either that or some other out-of-spec diffraction distortion. So I sent it off for repair.

My iphone 4 automatically shuts down , twice it has happened though it starts by holding the home screen and sleep button for 10 seconds but what exactly causes this problem? some defect in my set?

My iphone 4 automatically shuts down , twice it has happened though it starts by holding the home screen and sleep button for 10 seconds but what exactly causes this problem? some defect in my set?

do you hold the home and sleep button?

I send out emails with proper grammar. People would reply returning my email and I would notice the grammar has changed and doesn't make sense. What's causing this problem?

I send out emails with proper grammar. People would reply returning my email and I would notice the grammar has changed and doesn't make sense. What's causing this problem?

Have you actually compared what you sent (in your Sent Mail Folder) with what is in the reply?
Note that Auto Correction can often change what you think that you are typing.
Are you sure that the return message has your original message intact and not edited by the recipient?
Bottom line: if the recipient does a simple reply to your message with the original message attached the system is not going to edit your message.

I cannot control the sensor on my Mac, it moves by itself, and opens different pages. What can cause this problem? please help me.

I cannot control the sensor on my Mac, it moves by itself, and opens different pages. What can cause this problem? please help me.

There are several possible causes for this issue. Take each of the following steps until it's resolved.
1. Follow the instructions in this support article.
2. Reset the System Management Controller.
3. If you're using a Bluetooth trackpad, investigate potential sources of interference, including USB 3 devices.
4. A swollen battery in a MacBook Pro or Air can impinge on the trackpad from below and cause erratic behavior. If you have trouble clicking the trackpad, this is likely the reason. The battery must be replaced.
5. There's a report that a (possibly defective) Thunderbolt Ethernet adapter can cause the built in trackpad of a MacBook to behave erratically. If you're using such an adapter, disconnect it and test.
6. There's also a report of erratic cursor movements caused by an external display that was connected but not turned on.
7. If none of the above applies, or if you have good reason to think your computer is being controlled remotely, remove it from the network by turning off Wi-Fi, disconnecting from a Bluetooth network link, and unplugging the Ethernet cable or USB modem, whichever is applicable. If the cursor movements stop immediately, you should suspect an intrusion.

Firefox 5.0 is supposed to have a separaret Twitter tab, but I noticed today that that tab is missing. What is causing this problem?

Firefox version 5.0 has a separate Twitter tab built into this web browser. However, today I have been having problems with launching the Firefox browser. An error message appears, after attempting to launch the browser, which states that the Firefox browser is already running, and that the process needs to be closed or that the computer needs to be restarted. After restarting my computer and launching the Firefox browser, I noticed that the built-in Twitter tab ( near the upper left-hand corner of the browser ) was missing. What is causing these problems?

I'm pretty sure that Firefox version 5.0 has a built-in Twitter tab. Whatever the case may be, I downloaded Firefox version 5.0.1 this morning. I learned that if you right-click on a tab, that a menu box will appear on the screen. One of the options in that menu box is "Pin as App Tab." If I go to the http://twitter.com web site, and then right-click on the corresponding Twitter tab, and then select "Pin as App Tab," then a small Twitter tab will appear to the right of the orange-and-white "Firefox" tab ( in the upper left-hand corner of the Firefox web browser screen ). Then I can click on that Twitter tab and go directly to the http://twitter.com web site. However, when I exit the Firefox version 5.0.1 web browser, and then immediately re-launch it, the separate Twitter tab is gone. Is there any way, within Firefox version 5.0.1, that I can make the separate Twitter tab permanent after selecting "Pin as App Tab"? Thank you for your assistance regarding this matter.
''Edited by a moderator due to inappropriate content.''

I have (2) Samsung S5 phones. One is using up data like crazy for no reason. I have WiFi at home, so what's causing this problem?

I have 2 Samsung S5 phones. One has used way over the limit for no apparent reason. I have WiFi at home. What could be causing this problem?

Hello KF2PX
I'm sorry to hear your having issues with your S5. I would be happy to look into this with you. Are there different apps on both devices? Do either device auto play videos when opening apps? For example Facebook. Here's a great link to see what's using the data: http://www.verizonwireless.com/support/data-utilization-faqs/
JoeL_VZW
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport
If my response answered your question please click the "Correct Answer" button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

I get a pop-up warning window stating that something is tricking firefox to update, what's causing this problem and is it serious?

Every other time I'm using Firefox, I get a warning pop-up window stating that something is trying to trick Firefox to update. I'm not sure if I have a virus or any other unwanted program that is trying to corrupt my computer. Please let me know what it could be. I have McAfee and it's actively running every time I use the internet, so I'm not sure whats causing this problem. Please help. Thank You.

It's a Web scam that only affects your browser, and only temporarily. There are several ways to recover.
1. Some of those scam pages can be dismissed very easily. Press the key combination command-W to close the tab or window. A huge box will pop up. Press the return key and both the box and the page will close. If that doesn't happen, continue.
2. Press and hold command-W. You may hear repeating alert sounds. While holding the keys, click the OK button in the popup. A different popup may appear, which you can cancel out of as usual.
3. From the Safari menu bar, select
Safari ▹ Preferences... ▹ Security
and uncheck the box marked Enable JavaScript. Leave the preferences dialog open.
Close the malicious window or tab.
Re-enable JavaScript and close the preferences dialog.
4. If the Preferences menu item is grayed out, quit Safari. Force quit if necessary. Relaunch it by holding down the shift key and clicking its icon in the Dock. None of the windows and tabs will reopen.
After closing the malicious page, from the menu bar, select
Safari ▹ Preferences... ▹ Privacy ▹ Remove All Website Data
to get rid of any cookies or other data left by the server. Open your Downloads folder and delete anything you don't recognize.

My Canon EOS Rebel T4i will not operate with a new battery. What could cause this problem?

While take pictures with my Canon EOS Rebel T4i camera it died. I assumed it was a dead battery. Upon charging the battery it would take just a few pictures and die again. I purchased a new cannon battery and fully charged it and now the camera will not even come on. What could cause this?

Sounds like the micro-switch in either the battery door or memory card door is barely making contact. If either of those two doors are opened the camera will immediatley power off. The micro-switch is in the door frame. The door itself has a tab which pushes on the switch.

TS1871 my provider says my airport is sending 6&7 mac address to them. what would cause this problem?

My internet provider says my airport is sending 6&7 mac address to them. Everything has been working fine for almost 2 years. what could be the problem?

Hello, see if this might apply...
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/1869729?start=0&tstart=0

Firefox cannot dowload my knidle books on amazon, IE does, what could cause this problem?

When I try to download my digital books at Amazon.com, it takes me to the log in screen. When I log in it does nothing. Using IE, I click and it downloads the book. I did not have this problem the last time I downloaded. I changed nothing in FireFox, however some of the add-ons have updated.
My List:
Name: Size Last Modified
AdblockPlus{1.2.2}.prefs 2 KB 9/12/2010 4:15:18 PM
AddOns 9/23/2010 7:56:52 PM
FastestFox{4.1.7}.prefs 2 KB 9/12/2010 4:15:18 PM
FireFTP{1.0.9}.prefs 2 KB 9/12/2010 4:15:18 PM
Firefox 3.6.9 (en-US) - 12658 KB 9/12/2010 4:20:04 PM
FlashGot{1.2.1.30}.prefs 3 KB 9/12/2010 4:15:18 PM
ForecastbarEnhanced{0.9.6} 4 KB 9/12/2010 4:15:18 PM
IETab2FF3.6+{2.5.10.1}.prefs 2 KB 9/12/2010 4:15:18 PM
NoScript{2.0.3}.prefs 15 KB 9/12/2010 4:15:18 PM
VacuumPlacesImproved{1.1} 1 KB 9/12/2010 4:15:18 PM
WebMailNotifier{2.5.9}.prefs 2 KB 9/12/2010 4:15:18 PM

These are user-to-user forums, you are not talking to Apple here.
Audiobooks (and ringtones) are currently a one-time only download. I believe that they are all supplied to Apple by audible.com, so I assume that it's them who are requiring the one-time only download restriction. To get it onto your other devices you will need to sync it via a computer. Depending upon what country that you are in, Audible.com have their own app (Audiobooks from Audible) so you might be able to buy direct from them, though I don't know whether you can buy within their app or download audiobooks directly from them within the app e.g. whether they need to be copied via a computer.

I'm unable to load firefox after closing unless I reboot, what is causing this problem?

After I have run firefox 5.0 and then closed it, I can no longer open firefox until I reboot. I have never experienced this problem before this version.
John

I'm pretty sure that Firefox version 5.0 has a built-in Twitter tab. Whatever the case may be, I downloaded Firefox version 5.0.1 this morning. I learned that if you right-click on a tab, that a menu box will appear on the screen. One of the options in that menu box is "Pin as App Tab." If I go to the http://twitter.com web site, and then right-click on the corresponding Twitter tab, and then select "Pin as App Tab," then a small Twitter tab will appear to the right of the orange-and-white "Firefox" tab ( in the upper left-hand corner of the Firefox web browser screen ). Then I can click on that Twitter tab and go directly to the http://twitter.com web site. However, when I exit the Firefox version 5.0.1 web browser, and then immediately re-launch it, the separate Twitter tab is gone. Is there any way, within Firefox version 5.0.1, that I can make the separate Twitter tab permanent after selecting "Pin as App Tab"? Thank you for your assistance regarding this matter.
''Edited by a moderator due to inappropriate content.''

My iPad (new generation) keeps "crashing" ( losing most apps not related ) requiring a complete reset/erase and restore. Does anyone else have this problem? I would like to know what is causing this problem.

My new iPad keeps "crashing" (losing apps, usually not Apple). This requires me to do a reset/erase and restore from backup. Does anyone else have this problem?

Not normal. Take it to an Apple Store for evaluation.
Make a Genius Bar Reservation
http://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/
 Cheers, Tom

My sound will drop or stop after a while -- say 15-10 minutes or so. What could cause this problem?

The subject line says it all. I have sound but it doesn't continue on . . . After a short while it just stops. I have to restart a file or a program to get the sound back. I don't know a lot about sound cards but could be the problem. This stopping of sound is the same on all programs, not just one or two. Thanks for any help.

I have no idea what the "freezer fix" is, nor why anyone would think temporary exposure to cold will somehow fix a hardware issue with a 100% solid state device. Also, actually freezing your iPhone may very well itself cause damage.
If you dropped it and wifi immediately failed to work, the odds are you inflicted physical damage to it - perhaps the antennae connection internally. You could try a simple reset and see if that helps, but if not, you need to take it into Apple for an evaluation and diagnosis.
If it has internal damage, since you dropped it, your warranty no longer applies. Apple does not repair iOS devices, the merely swap them for factory refurbished units (and send your damaged one back to the manufacturer in China for refurbishment or recycling). You would ahve to pay the out of warranty replacement fee (look on your country's Apple web site, under support for the iPhone for fees).

I set up my enterprise email but i get a message that says cannot use my server please pick another and i use gmail, what is causing this problem?

I have a new Mac Book Pro, I loaded my enterprise email on the system and it was working fine, but yesterday when I tried to send out an email I received a message that ask to pick another outgoing mail server. So I chose Gmail and it was sent. Is this a common problem when using the email on a wifi system?
Thanks
Stephen

Are you sure your enterprise email was up and running at the time you tried to send? Are you sure you were connected to you wifi network and not another wifi network when you tried to send?

What's causing this problem?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for