Safari Bookmarks Suddenly Altered? Total disorganization!

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Level 3

580 points

Safari Bookmarks Suddenly Altered? Total disorganization!

Was surprised this morning to notice that when I clicked on Safari's bookmark icon, all my bookmarks appeared differently. Previously, they were organized alphabetically (with numerous folders containing related websites). Now, most folders are gone and I have an extremely long list of websites that are all over the map alphabetically? Total disorganization, in other words! How could this have happened? Is there any way to get Safari to "remember" my previous list or do I have to spend hours reorganizing what I had previously?

I wonder if this has anything to do with being on the .Mac website yesterday and syncing my data?

24" iMac Core 2 Duo 2.8 GHz Extreme 20" iMac G5 2.0 GHz, Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on Apr 15, 2008 8:03 AM

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Answer 1

Apr 15, 2008 9:45 AM in response to WildBill

I wonder if this has anything to do with being on the .Mac website yesterday and syncing my data?

A very strong possibility. Have a look in your Finder: Your User Account>Library>Safari folder. Right or control key/click on Bookmarks.plist>Get Info. The "modified date" will tell you the last time the file was changed.

To which source did you synch your bookmarks? There may be a copy of the bookmark in your iDisk folder on your desktop. If so, drag that copy to the above location, replacing the existing version, then restart Safari.

Instances such as these make Time Machine or an external backup, or even duplicate copy of the Bookmarks invaluable. Do you have an external or duplicate copy anywhere? At any time, did you export your Safari bookmarks over to another browser such as Firefox?

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Answer 2

WildBill Author

Level 3

580 points

Apr 15, 2008 10:08 PM in response to Hawaiian_Starman

Odd, when I go to my user account>Library.... I don't see a safari folder? If I do a search for Safri folder, I get this: User account>Library>Caches>Metadata>Safari. There is a Bookmarks folder in there. Is this what you're referring?

It was last modified the day BEFORE I synced while on my .Mac site? Odd.

I do have an external hard drive. Before I replace my bookmarks, I'd feel better knowing this is the correct folder to replace?

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Answer 3

Apr 16, 2008 1:38 AM in response to WildBill

Hi

That's not your bookmarks file, rather cached bookmark entries.

There ought to be a Safari folder at the root level of the Library. Glad to hear you have an external backup. Go to Your User Library on the external and drag the Safari folder (inside you'll see Bookmarks.plist} to the same location on your regular HD.

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Answer 4

WildBill Author

Level 3

580 points

Apr 16, 2008 6:51 AM in response to Hawaiian_Starman

Hi Starman,

Thanks for posting back! OK, not surprisingly, I do not find a Safari folder on my ext hd backup where you said I would find one? How can that be?

Is there a 3rd party app that I can use to locate this .plist file? It should be SOMEWHERE on my hd, right?

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Answer 5

WildBill Author

Level 3

580 points

Apr 16, 2008 7:15 AM in response to Hawaiian_Starman

OK, I'm a little reluctant to admit that the Safari folder WAS where you said it would be. Why couldn't I see it? Because I didn't expand the window length-wise and that's where I found it.

Would you suggest trashing the .plist file before pulling over the .plist file from my ext. hd?

Thanks for your help.

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Answer 6

Apr 16, 2008 9:03 AM in response to WildBill

OK, I'm a little reluctant to admit that the Safari folder WAS where you said it would be....Would you suggest trashing the .plist file before pulling over the .plist file from my ext. hd?

I believe this location-effect oversight is influenced by the same unknown phenomena known as "looking for something in the refrigerator". 😉

When you copy over the Safari folder, or just the Booklist.plist file inside that folder, you ought to see a prompt asking you if you want to replace the file. Select "yes".

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Answer 7

WildBill Author

Level 3

580 points

Apr 17, 2008 10:23 PM in response to Hawaiian_Starman

Thanks, again, for your help. Pretty funny, looking for something in the fridge.

BTW, We visited Hawaii for the first time this Spring and loved it. What an amazing place. Such genuinely kind people.

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Answer 8

Apr 18, 2008 2:37 AM in response to WildBill

You're welcome. Glad to help.

Nice you could experience the spirit of aloha during your visit.

Mahalo for the

and Aloha from Big Island.

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Answer 9

Apr 18, 2008 7:21 AM in response to WildBill

INSTALLED SAFARI 3.1.1 - ALL FORMER BOOKMARKS LOST! AND REPLACED WITH WHAT APPLE THINKS SHOULD BE YOUR BOOKMARKS.

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Answer 10

Jpfresno

Level 4

3,020 points

Apr 18, 2008 1:26 PM in response to driftless

*Hi driftless, Welcome (Back)* to Apple's Users Help Users Forums. 🙂

This is a solved thread. You will get better service as you deserve by posting a new thread.

Good Luck, JP 🙂

Message was edited by: Jpfresno

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