albertoben

Q: Desktop Issue

I am not allowed to access my desktop through finder... i cant move any folders on my desktop it is practically locked.. when i try to open desktop from finder it reads " there is no application set to open the document desktop" it gives me options to open it w something else. someone please help im am not able to create folders or do anything.

im using a 2008 macbook on snow leopard

thanks

Posted on Sep 14, 2014 3:58 AM

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Q: Desktop Issue

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  • by rkaufmann87,

    rkaufmann87 rkaufmann87 Sep 14, 2014 6:59 AM in response to albertoben
    Level 9 (58,924 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Sep 14, 2014 6:59 AM in response to albertoben

    Restart the computer and re-test.  You have not indicated what you may have tried so we have to start with the most basic item there is.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Sep 14, 2014 7:02 AM in response to albertoben
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    Sep 14, 2014 7:02 AM in response to albertoben

    Select the icon of your home folder (a house) in the sidebar of a Finder window and open it. The Desktop folder is one of the subfolders. Select it and open the Info window. In the General section of the window, the Kind will be either Folder  or something else, such as Anything.

    If the Kind is Folder, uncheck the box marked Locked. Close the Info window and test.

    If the Kind is not Folder, make sure the Locked box is not checked and that you have Read & Write privileges in the  Sharing & Permissions section. Then close the Info window and do as follows.

    Back up all data before continuing.

    Triple-click anywhere in the line below on this page to select it:

    xattr -d com.apple.FinderInfo Desktop

    Copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C.

    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 should get a new line ending in a dollar sign ($). Quit Terminal.

    Relaunch the Finder.

    If the problem is now resolved, and if you use iPhoto, continue.

    Quit iPhoto if it's running. Launch it while holding down the option key. It will prompt you to select a library. Choose the one you want to use (not the Desktop folder.)