Why have my system preferences all been restored to default?

Hi,
Yesterday my iMac was really playing up, it was writing to the disk, being really noisy and overall not responding much. So after failing to reach the Apple Menu to shut down, I just held the power button on the back of my Alu iMac until it switched off (not slept). This morning I awake, and turn my computer on, log in. Everything seems fine, but, the default Dock is shown, spaces are inactive and all my System Preferences have been restored to defaults, therefore I imagine the System Preferences file or something was corrupt when I force shut down the computer, meaning it started afresh. I have a time machine backup (hallelujah for time machine!) so I can retrieve a certain file and replace it if needs be.
Could anyone give me instruction on how to get my System Preferences back the way I had them?
Thanks.

the system writes to various preference files when you quit applications or shut down normally. It does it by first deleting the old preference file and then replacing it with a new one. In the event of a crash or a hard shutdown it sometimes does the former but has no chance to do the latter. in that case that preference file is created with default values on restart.
It sounds like you have several problems with your computer and several pref files may have been involved. You might consider restoring the whole preferences folder from the library in your home folder (not the one at the top level of the hard drive). However, this might not fix all the problems if your system was seriously misbehaving. I would do a full system restore from TM from some time point before the problems started. to do that start from the leopard install DVD and once past the language screen choose "restore from backup from the Utilities menu at the top.

Similar Messages

  • Help Problem NOT Solved Why have my system preferences suddenly started to reset back to default every time I reboot

    Why have my system preferences suddenly started to reset back to default every time I reboot At first I thought it was happening because I disconnected my Google account, but now I've disable that account and switched to Firefox.  I wasn't sure how my browser setting could have anything to do with my system preferences and now I think it's some glitch or missed setting that is causing the problem.  Oh & I locked my preference panel and that did not help.
    In addition to what I say above, not only are all my system preferences being reset to default, but also the preferences for word and Excel.  I'm sure it's affecting other programs, but Word & Excel are the main ones that I have a lot of custom setting for.  Especially annoying is the fact that my ribbon commands are reset.  All this started happening when I signed up for a Google Drive account.  The only system updates have been the usual security updates.  I deleted my Google account but haven't uninstalled it.  I'll try this, but I can't figure out how that would result in all OS preferences being reset.

    Here are a few more:
    "Data Rescue II" from prosofteng.com has a free download demo available.   You will need to follow/read the directions carefully. 
    VirtualLab™ Data Recovery  has a free download demo available.
    DriveSavers Data Recovery is NOT free.  However, they have a toll free contact phone #, international phone # & fax contact #'s. Also helpful Recovery Tips and Disaster Recovery for important precautions to prevent further data loss on their website.
    http://www.stellarinfo.com
    Stellar Phoenix Macintosh -- Mac data-recovery software -- recovers data from damaged, deleted, or corrupted volumes, and even from initialized disks. An exhaustive scan of the drive is performed to locate lost partitions. All found data in the lost partition is then presented in a tree structure so that you can copy your lost files to a working volume.
    *FREE* DOWNLOAD DEMO
    FileSalvage
    **FREE** Download DEMO
    Remo Recover
    **FREE** DOWNLOAD TRIAL

  • Why do Mac games have higher system preferences compared to Windows games?

    Hello,
    I am wondering why Mac games have higher system preferences compared to Windows games?
    For example "The Movies" game on Mac requires:
    Mac: OSX 10.4 Tiger or later,
    PPC G4 1.67 GHz,
    512MB RAM,
    64MB video card,
    DVD drive (minimum)
    Whilst on Windows:
    PC: Windows 98SE or later
    800 MHz CPU
    256MB RAM
    DirectX 9.0c compatible sound and video card.
    Now anyone can see the amount Windows needs compaired to Mac but why such a huge leap.
    And this isn't only on "The Movies" it's the same with "Sims 2" and "Age of Empires"
    If you know why could you please respond.
    Thanks,
    James

    Hi there vickivoo,
    You may find the troubleshooting steps in the article below helpful.
    Troubleshooting wireless mouse and keyboard issues
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ts3048
    -Griff W. 

  • My system preferences have suddenly disappeared! I have the language and text icon but that is the only icon that is displayed! where have my system preferences gone and how do i get them back??

    I went to my system preferences today and they are all gone except for my language and text icon! I have the language and text icon but that is the only icon that is displayed! where have my system preferences gone and how do i get them back??

    Double click on the picture of the HD on your desktop, then look at the bottom of the window that opens.
    First check the S.M.A.R.T. status on your HD: Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility > in the panel at left, select the first item in the list/your HD mechanism > look atthe bottom of the main window next to S.M.A.R.T. status and see if it says “Verified” or something more ominous like “Failing.”
    If S.M.A.R.T.status is "Verified," run Repair Disk: Boot from install disc (insert disc > restart > immediately hold down c key and keep holding it until you see “Preparing Installation”) > at first screen select the language and click Continue > click on the Utilities Menu in the menu bar > open Disk Utility > select your HD in the panel on the left side > click Repair Disk at bottom of main window. Run this at least twice, and keep running it until it says “appears ok” twice in a row. If that doesn’t happen, you may need a stronger utility such as DiskWarrior or if the directory is damaged beyond repair, you may need to reinstall the OS, or you may have a damaged HD (repair utilities can only repair the directory structure, not the HD itself). When this is finished, quit Disk Utility, quit the installer, and restart. Once booted normally, go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility and run Repair Permissions.

  • I have TWO system preferences apps.

    I have 2 System Preferences apps. The original is in my Utilities Folder (I moved it there to clean up my Applications Folder). The 2nd reappeaered in my Applications Folder when I restored my Mac from a backup. They both launched with no issues, so I tried to delete the one in my Utilties Folder, but I couldn't. I tried to lauch it again, but now it's damaged. The one in my Applications Folder is fine, so how do i get rid of the damaged one in my Utilities Folder?

    When I try to delete, it goes to the trash as it should, but once I try to empty my trash I get a message saying it's currenlty being used or something. I'd type the exact message, but I'm at work and don't have my Mac on hand.

  • Why have my Quicktime Pro funcitions been disabled?

    Why have my Quicktime Pro funcitions been disabled? I bought the software a few years ago and use it periodically to assemble image sequences.
    Now it opens and only has basic funtions and prompts me to buy the software again...
    Not sure what has happend here...

    Snow Leopard introduced QuickTime X and it doesn't include any Pro features.
    QuickTime Player 7.6.6 installs in the Utilities folder. You enter your registation info under its menu.

  • I installed Lion and now have 2 system preferences(1 original and 1 alias). How to fix?

    I installed Lion and now have 2 system preferences(1 original and 1 alias). I'm trying to clean up Launchpad and I have 2 system preferences and 2 iTunes apps. How can I merge or remove the unecessary files?

    No. It's perfectly safe. An alias is just a pointer to the actual file, not the file itself.
    BTW, the icons in the Dock are also just aliases, so it's safe to remove those as well, and just keep the ones you use often.

  • Installing the new update for OSX has stopped my trackpad from swiping between pages in Safari. Whenever I try it Safari freezes and I have to quit. I have checked system preferences and the option is checked.

    ave to quit. I have checked system preferences and the option is still checked. Is anyone having the same problem?

    Go to Finder and select your user/home folder. With that Finder window as the front window, either select Finder/View/Show View options or go command - J.  When the View options opens, check ’Show Library Folder’. That should make your user library folder visible in your user/home folder.  Select Preferences/com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch.trackpad.plist.
    Move the .plist to your desktop.
    Log out/in and test. If it works okay, delete the plist from the desktop.
    If the same, return the .plist to where you got it from, overwriting the newer ones.
    Thanks to leonie for some information contained in this.
    You might need to redo the View settings after an update.

  • How do I get a longer list of items in the history window - and not have to click "Show All History"? The default list is too short.

    How do I get a longer list of items in the history window - and not have to click "Show All History"? The default list is too short.

    Well I figured it out… all you do say show commands :-/

  • How do I restore Firefox base after reinstalling Windows , but I have file system safe(all program folders)?

    How do I restore Firefox base after I reinstalled Windows , but I have my system and program old folders safe. ( exact Firefox Application and Program Files folders etc)?
    == This happened ==
    Every time Firefox opened
    == I reinstalled Windows

    What I mean is I have saved passwords and some website adresses in my Firefox that was on deleted windows ( but I saved the file system so it works from there using another computer) but all I need is passes and saved links . just the complete copy of my old setups and such . is that possible?

  • Why have my notes and contacts been deleted and my applications won't launch

    I tried using my iPad mini today but both my notes and contacts have been deleted and my applications either won't launch at all or launch for a few minutes and then shutdown. I also tried to download another app which said had been downloaded but I couldn't find it anywhere, the same thing happened with another app I downloaded. It was working fine yesterday and I haven't updated it or done anything out of the ordinary since then. What's wrong?

    There are some simple troubleshooting steps you can take.
    Be sure you drive is not overly full. Rule of thumb would be over 85%.
    Create a new User go to System Preferences >> Accounts >> "+" (make it an admin acct) and test the apps in this new account, if they work the problem is isolated to your User and not systemwide.
    If the issue is limited to your user account try starting up Safe Mode (It will take more time to startup in Safe Mode because it runs a directory check.)
    If your apps functions correctly that way, go to System Preferences >> Accounts >> Login Items, and remove them. Boot normally and test. If not go to ~(yourHome)/Library/Contextual Menu Items and move whatever is there to the desktop. Then do the same with /Library/Contextual Menu Items. Lastly, try moving ~(yourHome)/Library/Fonts to your desktop and restarting.
    Log out/in or restart, if that sorts it start putting items back one at a time until you find the culprit.
    If the issue is systemwide then, you may be able to repair this with the The 10.6.2 Combo Update 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.
    Remember to Verify Disk before update and repair permissions after update from /Applications/Utilities/Disk Utility.
    -mj

  • Why won't System Preferences save my desktop background folders?

    If I try to add folders to the sidebar in the System Preferences > Desktop panel, only the last-viewed folder will stay when you close and reopen the panel. Here's what it looks like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Qy01PS0aT0

    Back up all data.
    This procedure will unlock all your user files (not system files) and reset their ownership and access-control lists to the default. If you've set special values for those attributes on any of your files, they will be reverted. In that case, either stop here, or be prepared to recreate the settings if necessary. If none of this is meaningful to you, you don't need to worry about it.
    Step 1
    If you have more than one user account, and the one in question is not an administrator account, then temporarily promote it to administrator status in the Users & Groups preference pane. You can demote it back to standard status when this step has been completed.
    Launch the 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.
    Drag or copy — do not type — the following line into the Terminal window, then press return:
    sudo chflags -R nouchg,nouappnd ~ $TMPDIR.. ; sudo chown -R $UID:20 ~ $_ ; chmod -R -N ~ $_ 2> /dev/null
    Be sure to select the whole line by triple-clicking anywhere in it. You'll be prompted for your login password, which won't be displayed when you type it. You may get a one-time warning not to screw up. You don't need to post the warning. If you don’t have a login password, you’ll need to set one before you can run the command.
    The command will take a noticeable amount of time to run. Wait for a new line ending in a dollar sign (“$”) to appear, then quit Terminal.
    Step 2
    Boot into Recovery by holding down the key combination command-R at startup. Release the keys when you see a gray screen with a spinning dial.
    When the OS X Utilities screen appears, select Utilities ▹ Terminal from the menu bar. A text window opens.
    In the Terminal window, type this:
    resetpassword
    That's one word with no spaces. Then press return. A Reset Password window opens. You’re not going to reset a password.
    Select your boot volume ("Macintosh HD," unless you gave it a different name) if not already selected.
    Select your username from the menu labeled Select the user account if not already selected.
    Under Reset Home Directory Permissions and ACLs, click the Reset button.
    Select  ▹ Restart from the menu bar.

  • Is it possible to have your system preferences saved as a profile?

    I have hooked my Mac up to my 40" TV. I'm using a clever little box that combines the minidisplay port and toslink into an HDMI output. However, I would like different settings in preferences depending on which display I'm using. For example I would like the dock, icons and cursor a bit bigger and optical audio output for the TV, but normal sized and analouge out for my usual monitor. Since I'll never be using both at the same time (I only have the one head) I'd like to be able to save my system preferences into 2 profiles and select between the 2 rather than manualy changing everything each time. Is this possible? It seems like it should be but I can't find a straight forward way to do it.
    Two potential solutions spring to mind, first use different users for each display and switch between the 2 but this is far less than ideal. Secondly, set up for one display and save copies of the relevant plist files, then set up for the second display and save again then use a script/automator action to switch between the 2 and restart Finder. Although I have no idea about the technicalites of the second solution. All help appreciated.

    Some progress on second idea. Saved a copy of universal access plist with cursor set to large then set the cursor to small again. Replacing the plist file had no effect until I went into the UA pane and changed a setting at which point it must rewrite the file and refresh because the cursor size also changed at this point.
    Tried the same again and restarted Finder, no effect. Also tried altering another pref pane instead with no effect. Need a way to force the computer to look at the plist files, no idea how though. :-)

  • Why lost my System Preference Display?

    After installing Lepord 10.7.4 I have lost the Display resolution except for 1920 x 1200 and 960 x 600.  Neither of these is acceptable for my iMac.  Before downloading 10.7.4 I had all kinds of resolutions shown in System Preference Display.  How can I can I get back to them?

    A reported fix:
    https://discussions.apple.com/message/18572141#18572141

  • Why dose my system preferences continue to unlock

    Every time I log into my macbook and check the system preferences there is one or more items that have been unlocked.  My wifes macbook dose not do this and I am woundering if I have done something different with mine.  I hear the lock sound whenever I wake it up, before I login.  I go and check to see what is unlocked and it might be network, software update, energy saver, or time machine.  Is there something that I can do to fix this? 

    Really more support for getting an answer than knowing how to fix it.
    This is happening to me as well. As soon as I try to use anything in System Prefs, the whole thing crashes and wants to send a note back to Apple.
    Very frustrating...

Maybe you are looking for