Why can't I reset System Preferences?

I want to change my screensaver and I can't open "System Preferences" -- I get the error message that System Preferences isn't available on this Mac?

Reinstall the unmentioned OS and try again.

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Why can I not open System Preferences?

My System Preference is frozen and I cannot open it.

Back up all data.
Boot into Recovery by holding down the key combination command-R at the startup chime. Release the keys when you see a gray screen with a spinning dial.
Note: You need an always-on Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection to the Internet to use Recovery. It won’t work with USB or PPPoE modems, or with networks that require any kind of authentication other than a WPA or WPA2 Personal password.
When the OS X Utilities screen appears, follow the prompts to reinstall the OS. You don't need to erase the boot volume, and you won't need your backup unless something goes wrong. If your Mac was upgraded from an older version of OS X, you’ll need the Apple ID and password you used to upgrade, so make a note of those before you begin.

Safari will no longer open. I was using firefox until I could find a fix for safari. I made the mistake of changing my default search to firebox later for convenience and now I can't open my system preference or many safari or apple linked files.

Safari will no longer open. It just goes back to my desktop. When I right click on the safari icon in my dashboard it says it is open. I was using firefox until I could find a fix for safari. I made the mistake of changing my default search to firebox later for convenience and now I can't open my system preference or many safari or apple linked files. Some of my emails from trusted sites won't open and does the same thing.
I upgraded my original system from 10.4.11 to I believe 10.6. something about a year or so ago. I thought about re installing my safari app but when I go to open anything connected to safari my screen goes back to the desktop. I cant open any files that I have on my desktop that I set up through safari, like my banking program. Prior to changing system preference to safari default I was able to open those files and now I can't get into change it back. Can you guide me through this?
Thanks,
Betty

Try running the 10.6.8 combo update.
10.6.8 Combo Updater
System Preferences or Safari Preferences?
Do a backup.
Quit the application.
Go to Finder and select your user/home folder. Select Library. Then go to Preferences/com.apple.Safari.plist. Move the .plist to your desktop.
Restart the computer, open the application and test. If it works okay, delete the plist from the desktop.
If the application is the same, return the .plist to where you got it from, overwriting the newer one.

Why can't I reset the master password with the option of removing all username:passwords by unchecking "Use Master Password"?

Why can't I reset the master password with the option of removing all username:passwords by unchecking "Use Master Password"? Currently, there seems to only be the option to issue a "chrome:" command in URL which DOES reset the master password. However, it was something that I had to google. The intuitive option would be to uncheck the "Use Master Password" checkbox, receive a verification dialogue, and blammo, password reset. Please make this a feature, thank you.

''cor-el [[#answer-702776|said]]''
<blockquote>
You can remove all password in the Show Passwords dialog.
That is where you manage the passwords.
The master password is only for protecting the passwords with an extra level of encryption and has nothing to do with erasing passwords apart from resetting the MP in case you have forgotten the MP and can't open "Show passwords".
</blockquote>
Sorry, for being unclear. Essentially this is a feature request for an option under Firefox options (why not?) to reset my Master Password not knowing the Master Password. For Security reasons I understand why all the saved passwords have to be wiped, but wiping the Master Password (having forgotten it) should be an option without having to issue an arcane command that one has to google to figure out.

Why can i Not reset my ipod 4g to 6.0?

Why can i Not reset my ipod 4g to 6.0?

Apple does not support iOS downgrades.
The current version for the 4th generation iPod Touch is iOS 6.1.5

HT5312 Why can i not reset my security questions via e-mail?

Why can't i reset my security questions via e-mail? There is a page on how to do it but you can't actually fill the form out.

if you are referring to the HT5312 page that you posted from then that only contains instructions for what to do, it's not a form.
To reset your questions yourself you need to already have a a rescue email address (which is not the same thing as an alternate email address) set up on your account - you can see if you do by following the steps on that HT5312 page i.e. go to https://appleid.apple.com/ and click 'Manage your Apple ID' on the right-hand side of that page and log into your account. Then click on 'Password and Security' on the left-hand side of that page and on the right-hand side (if you have a rescue email address) you will see an option to send security question reset info to your rescue email address.
If you don't have a rescue email address (you won't be able to add one until you can answer your questions) then you won't get the reset link on that page - you will need to contact iTunes Support / Apple in your country to get the questions reset.
Contacting Apple about account security : http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5699
When they've been reset (and if you don't already have a rescue email address) you can then use the steps half-way down this page to add a rescue email address for potential future use : http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5312

HT4623 Why can't I reset an Iphone I purchased that is still connected to icloud?

Why can't I reset an Iphone I purchased that is still connected to icloud?

Because it is activation locked. The previous owner has to remove the lock. It is to prevent lost or stolen phones from being used.
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH13695 gives information.

Resetting System Preferences to Defaults

Is there anyway to reset the system preferences to defaults, w/o completely restoring the computer? I just installed the 7.5 update for iTunes, and also changed some settings in system preferences, and now the sound out of my speakers sounds completely different, as if there is a blanket over them. To my knowledge, none of the changes I made affected this, as I went back to change them all. If its not iTunes, then is there any way I can just wipe clean the changes I've made to system preferences and just return to the original ones, even if they're the ones the computer came with?

hmm, that's not it. thanks for your reply though.
i've switched to other programs (using command tab) and it doesn't work.
for example, right now, i have 'terminal', firefox, safari (and finder) running. i've switched to each of these programs and command q doesn't quit any of them. something is definitely hosed up.

Resetting System Preferences

I think, or rather know, this is pretty simple. I know because I was told how to replace or get rid of system preferences by an Apple tech when I first bought this Mac Pro (09 Quad). Alas, I didn't write it down at the time as I was in panic mode in general confronted with a new Mac and as a new Mac user.
Specifically, the locks won't stick in any of the system preferences, which was the problem before. When I lock preferences they don't stay that way. Next time I check them they're all unlocked.
The tech had me go in and delete a file or folder I seem to recall is located somewhere in the System Library and then restart, at which point I seem to recall the system created a new System Preferences file or folder that then worked properly. I might be leaving out a couple details I can't recall. I just can't recall specifically enough and don't want to make a mess experimenting based on faulty memory.
Can anyone help with this? Thanks very much,

I have the opposite problem, and it's driving me crazy.
I +do not+ have the "Require a password to unlock each System Preferences pane" preference checked, and +do not+ want to have to unlock System Preference panes to use them. Yet after each restart, the panes are locked (whether I left them locked or unlocked)!
I am an administrator. The computers are running Snow Leopard (latest version). I have four computers, two exhibit this behavior, two do not (they work as expected, leaving panes unlocked according to the Security: General preference setting).
I have upgraded, or migrated these computers from Leopard, and I suspect there is some sort of remanent from the previous OS that is causing this beharior, but resetting permissions has not solved the problem. Nor has replacing System Preferences preference files. This security setting must be buried deep, as I expect it would be, and I cannot find the stubborn file where it is stored that seems to defy and ignore the "Require a password to unlock each System Preferences pane" setting.
Ideas?

Balky trackpad - Can't get into System Preference

My month old MacBook Pro runs Mac OS X 10.6.4. For no reason I can determine, the trackpad now requires 2 finger click to initiate program. The 2 finger click initiates a dialog box which gives me the choice to open the program with another 2 finger click. When I go to System Preferences I can open none of the preferences, even with the 2 finger click. When I open About This Mac from the Apple icon in the upper left, I can't close it. Any other program appears behind the About This Mac box in the middle of the screen.
The only way to quit System Preferences is to force quit (Option, Command, esc). Then I can't close the Force Quit Applications program or the About this Mac. A 2 finger click on the Force Quit Application red "quit" button causes the button to light up, but when I move the cursor off of the button, the red light goes out. A 2 finger click does nothing.
I have restarted, Shut Down, Forced Shut Down,

Try resetting the SMC. Info here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1411?locale=en_GB
If that doesn't do it, try resetting the PRAM:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238

How can I fix my system preferences so the system preferences window don't freeze up every time I open it?

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone knew how to fix a System Prefrences problem? Every time I try to open system prefrences I get that little color wheel over the System Prefrences window, and I am not able to change any system prefrence options or click on any options in the window. It just freezes up. I have iOS Lion 10.7.4 version on a 2012 Macbook Pro i7. Right now my screen saver is just a blank blue color, and I am unable to set any other photo from my photo library to the hpome screen picture even without going throiugh system prefrnces. I have tried Disk Utility>Verify Disk Permissions, and that did not work. I have also tried Disk Utility>Permissions Repair, and that did not work either. Can anyone tell me another option to try because I am unable to open Time Machine to repair to an earlier date because that window freezes up also. Does anyone know any other options? This Macbook Has been doing this sort of thing since I took it out of the box brand new 4 months ago, but it fixted itself before the Macbook help coverage was expired so I never bothered to call Apple about it. Now it just freezes up and never works, I can't change my system time out I cant change any system prefrences on my Macbook Pro. It really ***** bad. Also another symptom my macbook has right before this problem accours is my screen saver on my computer will automatically be swithched to that Galaxy screen saver all the sudden when I turn my computer on then when I go to change the screen save back to a picture I had on my computer the system prefrences just freeze up. Please let me know if you know what I can do. Thanks.
Also I am Unable to open Dock Preferences and i get the frozen screen color wheel Just like on System Preferences.
J
Message was edited by: skybluguy76

Launch the Console 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.
☞ If you’re running Mac OS X 10.7 or later, open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Console in the page that opens.
Click the Clear Display icon in the toolbar. Try the action again. Post any messages that appear in the Console window – the text, please, not a screenshot.
Important: Some private information, such as your name, may appear in the log. Edit it out by search-and-replace in a text editor before posting.

Can't shut down system preferences

After changing display settings while using VGA port to remote display laptop will not shutdown because System Preferance will not shut down. Shutdown grey-Ed.

If you can't close System Preferences, press Alt, Command and Esc keys to get the "Force Quit" window. Then, choose "System Preferences" and force quit it. Finally, you will be able to turn off the computer

HELP! Can't see the System Preferences

I tried to launch the System Preference application and all I get is a white window, you can't see the actual icons. This also happens in the Preview as well as the Console application. I tried a clean reinstall of my OS but still doesn't work. I also tried repairing permissions.
I don't know what else to try.

Hi Erwin, and a warm welcome to the forums!
Could be many things, we should start with this...
"Try Disk Utility
1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
*Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.*
3. Click the First Aid tab.
4. Select your Mac OS X volume.
5. Click Repair. Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk."
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
Then try a Safe Boot, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, reboot when it completes.
(Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive.)
Did DU report any errors? Where they fixed?

Can't open up "system preferences"

OK, so about a week ago I was just going through cleaning up my computer and I thought (like an idiot) that I had double copies of my "applications" folder and so I deleted one, and then emptied my trash. BIG MISTAKE! Now, my Safari is gone, which ***** (I'm using FireFox though, so it's not a huge deal) and I think I've lost a lot of other things as well. I just went to change my desktop picture and for whatever reason, I can't open up my "system preferences." I have NO clue what to do. Should I backup my remaining files and then reload everything? If so, how do I do that? (I'm clueless about most things computer-related).
PLEASE HELP! and I apologize if this is in the wrong forum. If someone can help me, please do! If you could respond here, or possibly EMail me at "[email protected]" I would be greatly appreciative.

You have to install Pacifist. Read the instructions to use pacifist... hmm you have no applications folder to install it to? You should be able to anyway. But let's change the strategy.
Assuming you have not deleted anything from /library/receipts
You may be able to repair this with the 10.4.5 Stand Alone Combo Update. Or the 10.4.6 Stand Alone Combo Updater depending on which version you are running now.
This is a fuller install, as opposed to an incremental "delta" update so it should overwrite any files that are damaged or missing. It does not matter if you have applied it before. It has worked well for many.
Remember to Verify Disk before update and repair permissions before and after update from /applications/utilities/disk utility.
If this does not work then we'll do pacifist.
-mj
[email protected]

I purchase this macbook at a yard sale. did not come is os disc. i can not get the system preference to open up an operate to change desktop and remove old accounts. any suggestions will be very helpful

hello community, im new to macbook; i purchase this macbook at a yard sale everything seems to be working ok but i am unable to access the system preference in order to change the desktop or remove old accounts. the owner did not have the os disc. does anyone have any suggestions on how to fix this problem.
thank you

If you don't have your install disks you can get the gray install disks by calling Apple StoreCustomer Service at 1-800-676-2775 They can send them to you for about $16 per disk plus S & H. Just give them your serial number and they'll know which ones you need. Which would be $32 for the two disks. With the original disks you also get the iLife that was current when your MacBook was bought included on the #2 disk.
You can order a Snow Leopard 10.6 install disk for $29 as long as you have at least 1gb of RAM and 5gb of free space on your hard drive. http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A?mco=MTY3ODQ5OTY

Why can't I reset System Preferences?

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