About This Mac - More Info... not working

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Level 1

36 points

About This Mac - More Info... not working

Hi - I have a 2.3 GHz G5 with Tiger 10.4.2. The "More Info..." button on the "About This Mac" has stopped working. The About This Mac window comes up and lists the Processor, Memory (3GB), and Startup Disk OK. But, nothing happens when I click on the More Info... button. It used to work, but it has been several weeks since I last tried it. The "Software Update..." button works fine.

BTW, the software version (Version 10.4.2), not the Serial Number, is listed under the Mac OS X heading at the top. I see in an Apple tech doc that the serial number is supposed to be listed? (I don't remember what was listed before)?

Any help on this would be appreciated. Thanks,
Dan

Posted on Sep 5, 2005 11:37 AM

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Answer 1

Benny Li

Level 4

3,570 points

Sep 5, 2005 11:46 AM in response to DanH9

Hi Dan,

That's bizarre. System Profiler (what More Info... leads to) is in /Applications/Utilities if you need it. Try a permissions repair in Disk Utility.

Click on the Mac OS X version number in About This Mac to display the serial number or the Mac OS X build number.

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Answer 2

DanH9 Author

Level 1

36 points

Sep 5, 2005 12:01 PM in response to DanH9

Thanks Benny,

Using the System Profiler directly works fine - thanks! I am new to the Mac (a recent PC convert) and hadn't thought of that. I did, however, run Repair Disk Permissions, and even "Repair Disk" prior to the post - neither indicated any problems needing repair.

Also, thanks for the hint on clicking on the Version Number; I now see that it toggles between the Serial Number/Version/Build.

Any further thoughts on what could be causing the More Info... button not to work? (and, of course, how to fix it)

Thanks again,
Dan

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Answer 3

lkrupp

Level 6

14,488 points

Sep 5, 2005 12:13 PM in response to DanH9

Possibly the System Profiler application has been inadvertently renamed somehow? Or possibly been moved from the Utilities folder?

You might try renaming the System Profiler application to something else and then change it right back, carefully typing the exact name System Profiler. Grasping at straws but worth a try at least. Glitches like this can be very frustrating.

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Answer 4

DanH9 Author

Level 1

36 points

Sep 5, 2005 12:30 PM in response to lkrupp

Ikrupp,

Thanks. System Profiler.app is located at /Users/Dan/Applications/Utilities. Is that the correct location? I also re-named/un-re-named as you suggested, but it had no effect.

Thanks again, Dan

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Answer 5

Benny Li

Level 4

3,570 points

Sep 5, 2005 12:38 PM in response to DanH9

Hi Dan,

It really should be in /Applications/Utilities and not in your user folder.

How did it end up there?

Open your hard drive on the desktop. Is there an Applications folder and a Utilities folder inside that? See if there's a System Profiler.app in that Utilities folder.

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Answer 6

DanH9 Author

Level 1

36 points

Sep 5, 2005 12:50 PM in response to Benny Li

Benny,

Uh oh, I have an EMPTY Applications folder (no apps, no other folders). I take it that is not what I should be seeing...

Dan

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Answer 7

Benny Li

Level 4

3,570 points

Sep 5, 2005 1:03 PM in response to DanH9

In that case, it seems relatively safe to move the contents of the Applications folder in your User folder back into the Applications folder at the root (/) of your hard disk. Perform a permissions repair afterwards.

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Answer 8

DanH9 Author

Level 1

36 points

Sep 5, 2005 1:20 PM in response to Benny Li

Benny,

Just to make sure that I am clear, I should have NOTHING in my Users/Applications folder when I am done moving the files? When I open Finder, there are icons on the left side below the line: Desktop, Dan (Home), Applications, Documents, etc. Is the "Applications" folder listed there supposed to be the "Users/Applications", or the root "/Applications" folder? And, last question, when I "install" new apps, should they be installed in the root or Users Application folder? (I am the only user)

I'll wait to hear from you before I make the move...

Thanks so much!
Dan

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Answer 9

Benny Li

Level 4

3,570 points

Sep 5, 2005 1:30 PM in response to DanH9

1. If you didn't deliberately want to have apps only you can access in your (~ means User or home folder) ~/Applications folder, then it should be empty when you're done moving.

2. The Applications folder in the sidebar should lead to /Applications. If it leads to ~/Applications, you can easily drag it off the sidebar and drag /Applications into the sidebar.

3. If you install new apps that you don't mind all the user accounts to have access to, they belong in /Applications. By default, Mac OS X doesn't make a ~/Applications folder. Since you're the only user, there's nothing wrong with leaving programs in /Applications.

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Answer 10

DanH9 Author

Level 1

36 points

Sep 5, 2005 2:36 PM in response to Benny Li

Benny - hey, I did it and everything seems to be OK! - Thank you.

I'm still not comfortable navigating around the Mac OS file system, having spent so many years using the Windows Explorer "tree". With the Mac, it's hard for me to tell where I am (I wish there was an option to display the complete path in the Title(?) bar.

Anyway, you've taught me a lot -- and even my "More Info..." button works now!

Thanks again for all your help,
Dan

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Answer 11

Benny Li

Level 4

3,570 points

Sep 5, 2005 7:25 PM in response to DanH9

The UNIX file system tree seems intimidating at first, but a search on Google can help you understand it better.

You have a great suggestion for improving the Finder. Let the developers know by leaving feedback.

Have fun with your Mac!

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