Desktop files etc. won't open after botched software install

Nick, thanks so much for your "welcome" and for responding. I've been feeling mighty alone in this.

One thing from my original post I want to correct: it was Photoshop 5.5, not Photoshop 5.0, that I attempted to install. Not that it makes a difference; just want to be accurate.

Just so you know, I didn't think that old Photoshop version would be compatible with OS X alone, but I did think it would be compatible within my mini's Classic environment, created when I installed the mini's version of OS 9. Was that right?

Now, regarding your suggestions:

(1) I can't drag the installer to the trash because there IS no installer. When I originally inserted the photoshop disk, its icon appeared on the desktop but no window opened when I double-clicked it. That's when I likely committed the fatal error of dragging the big Photoshop icon to the hard drive icon. And that's when all the icons on the desktop -- the hard drive, the MS Office 2001 folder, everything -- became unopenable to me.

(2) I can't GET to Applications because I can't get to the stuff on the mini hard drive because it won't open! (Which is, of course, the problem.) Is there a way around this?

(3) However, before you responded (and after researching Apple Support's Troubleshooting 101) I used the OS X install disk to get to the Disk Utility function; I clicked "Repair" (not Repair Permissions) for the hard drive, and was informed that No Repairs Were Necessary. I then created a new User Account and, yes, I could open the Hard Drive icon on the new user's desktop, but it didn't contain any of my own apps or folders.....

(3) After reading your message, I went back and did the whole "restart using the OS X install disk" thing again, and again went to Disk Utility, only this time I asked it to Verify Permissions. It listed a few things that were out of whack ("internet/library" or some such) and so I clicked Repair Permissions.

Sadly, the problem didn't vanish. Any other thoughts?

I guess I'll try an "Archive and Install" thing, although I fear that it will only archive the problem. (I'm feeling pessimistic; is that what happens when you try to fix a computer problem for about nine hours?) If it doesn't work, I guess I'll just have to Erase and Install and start all over.......

Your advice was and is welcome. (The ghost of Bob Marley gave some good advice, too; painful, but good...)

God Bless Us Every One.

P.S. It just occured to me that maybe the fact that I couldn't open the photoshop cd icon when I clicked it was simply the first indication of the PROBLEM, rather than something that led to CAUSING the problem. In other words, I couldn't open the photoshop icon just like I can't open the other desktop icons.......hmmm. Not that this thought does me any good....does it?

AndyOhhhhhh!

Thanks SO much for taking the time to read, think about and respond to this stuff. I am amazed and grateful that there is a Universe of caring Mac afficionados out there -- you and first responder Nick Holmes being the shining stars in that sky for me right now...

Yes, I believe the Finder's menus were still working when the desktop icons weren't, but unfortunately (?!), I can't try your compelling recommendation because, backed up against a frozen desktop wall (and fairly sure I would be about the only Topic Post-er ever who received only one reply, which I figured was because I wrote too much, too ignorantly and too annoyingly), I went ahead last night and did the only other thing I knew to do: Start Over.

I first performed an "Archive & Install," but the desktop problem remained. So I drop kicked, did the whole "Erase & Install" thing, and by gosh, the Mini is back. Yeay! (Now just have to make it "my" Mini with all that preference, calibration, etc. stuff....But hey, I guess this is how you gain experience?)

I had about decided never again to risk installing anything from my previous G3/OS 9.2 life, but after reading your response, I think maybe I'll try again....?

A question, perhaps off-Topic now but just in case you check back up on me and are feeling generous (or if any of you readers out there can help):

Is there a way to, under "non-combat" conditions, ask the Mini to look deep within itself and purge any of those problematic "setting or preference files" you referred to BEFORE they ruin my life? Or do I have to wait until I'm in trouble to try to get rid of a bad bad thing. Where would I go to look up how to do this?

iPeace and Mini blessings to you (all)--

Bonnie

That's great advice. I'll take it. And thanks for the very helpful and very kind p.o.v. on why I got so few responses.....you rock.

P.S. I'm definitely gonna schedule my next disaster during work hours on a week day.

It's happened again. Desktop icon freeze.

Add to that frustration the fact that I just described the chain of events in long detail, and when I posted it earlier this morning, I got an Apple Discussions alert that they're, oh, doing some housework or something, and anyway, the posting got lost and only my computer info was transmitted (which was no longer accurate, because I did NOT reinstall Classic OS 9 after performing a complete erase and install Sunday.....)

So let me start over, outliningg this depressing chain of events:

After successful ⚠ OS X reinstall mentioned in previous post, I:

--Re-installed AOL, setting aol preferences

--Responded to iTunes prompt to download newest version; downloaded and left icon on desktop for later install

--Did first Apple Software Update check (remember, have only had this Mini a few days); it told me I needed about ten or eleven updates. I selected eight of them, notably OS X. Figured that getting the latest stuff would, you know, eliminate the glitch that caused first meltdown. Ha. (Downloading of the 8 selected updates took --get ready-- eleven hours and 49 minutes; I use AOL dial-up. In those hours, my internet loading was very slow on both aol and safari, but I figured that was because of downloading going on.)

--Opened desktop Hard Drive icon numerous times throughout day to set preferences, look around apps, and read cute little tutorials about how fun it is to use the Mini ⚠.

--Created first Text document; placed icon on desktop.

--Twelve-hour download extravaganza finally ended. Expected to have to install stuff, but I gather it does that automatically in these Apple software updates?

--Noticed that even though downloading was complete, internet loading was still slow; hmmmm; figured AOL was having one of its numerous bad days.

--Double-clicked the iTunes installer desktop icon mentioned above, and installed the newest version.

--May have re-calibrated my display afterwards, or may have been just before. (It's a new Dell 1704 FPT, if that makes any difference. Maybe Michael Dell is sabotaging Steve J.)

--Put Mini to sleep; he and I had had a hard couple of days...

--Put myself to sleep; dreamed of Fun Mini Days Just Ahead.

--Woke up this morning like it was Christmas, excited to begin new and improved life with Mini. Woke Mini. Double-clicked Hard Drive icon. NOTHING. Double-clicked Text icon. Nothing. Same problem. Different day. (Only this time, it IS a weekday, per previous posts...)

--Got online, went to Discussions, read AndyO's recommendation about Finder, File, find p.list, trash it, etc. Did so.

--Double-clicked Text document icon. IT OPENED. Wow! Wanted to buy AndyO a NanO.

--Double-clicked Hard Drive icon. NOTHING. Gulp.

--Closed Text document. Double-clicked Hard Drive icon again. Nothing.

--Double-clicked Text icon. This time, Nothing.

--Re-performed p.list steps. Didn't work this time.....

Please note major differences between this freeze and the last:

(1) Classic OS 9 wasn't installed this time. (So neither was MS Office 2001, of course, nor any old software.)

(2) Updated ("improved"!) OS X is running, along with updated QuickTime and other Apple-recommended updates.

(3) New version of iTunes is installed.

But in spite of these differences, the problem's effect is the same.

One of AndyO's messages (2.1.1.1?) said something to the effect that if I encounter such problems again there are troubleshooting steps I can take to identify the specific cause and resolve it.

Please, dear readers, what are those steps? I am discouraged, and not just a little worried.

Sign me,

Many, many hours away from the nearest Apple Store (about $3,000 in gas)

PROBLEM SOLVED !!??

I called Apple Tech Support with my problem. The nice lad Umberto didn't know what to do, but consulted with his cohorts.

"Okay," he said when he returned to the line, "try this: Highlight the icon, then press Apple key + O."

The hard drive window opened.

Umberto said, hold on.

He came back. "Okay," he said, "go to keyboard & mouse under system preferences." I did.

"Go to mouse." I did.

"Is the 'double-click' speed set closer to slower, or faster?"

"Faster," I said.

Okay, he said, hold on, please.

Then he was back. "Please change the speed to half-way, or maybe a little slower."

I did.

"Now, please try to open your desktop icons by double-clicking."

THEY OPENED.

It was the mouse. The brand new pretty little Apple Mouse with its cool red rays was evidently pre-set too high or something. Pretty cool they diagnosed it; not too cool it can happen.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry. But can I at least believe that I have in some small way contributed to the vast store of anecdotal knowledge swirling around in these hallowed forums? Kinda like having a disease named after you.

Thanks to you all, especially AndyO, for the time and support.

And beware your mice.