Font/language is unreadable

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Level 1

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Font/language is unreadable

I can't figure out what is wrong. All of the folder names and titles at the top of the screen are in a weird font. I've tried changing it using font and language settings but it doesn't work. Any ideas?

iMac G3, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Jun 8, 2008 12:45 AM

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Answer 1

BDAqua

Level 10

250,619 points

Jun 8, 2008 1:03 AM in response to whitneyR.

Welcome to the forums Whitney! 🙂

Have you used Disk Utility to Verify/Repair the HD, then Repair Permissions yet/lately?

If yes then try dragging these two files to the desktop then reboot...

/Users/nnnn/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist

/Users/nnnn/Library/Preferences/com.apple.dock.plist

Try launching Font Book and Validate the Fonts.

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Answer 2

whitneyR. Author

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Jun 8, 2008 1:16 AM in response to BDAqua

thank you~ I tried Disk Utility it didn't seem to do anything. I wasn't able to drag the files you listed to the desktop. And I tried launching font book but the file titles are unreadable. To be a little more specific, the "weird" font is the capital letter A with a box around it. It's in title menus, file names and drop down boxes.

yes I also made sure the voice over was not on.

Message was edited by: whitneyR.

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Answer 3

BDAqua

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Jun 8, 2008 1:17 AM in response to whitneyR.

Did you do both options in Disk Utility?

Do you have you Tiger Install Disk handy?

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Answer 4

whitneyR. Author

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Jun 8, 2008 1:19 AM in response to BDAqua

I verified and repaired the disk. I installed Tiger a while ago and I'm pretty sure I don't have Disk handy.

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Answer 5

BDAqua

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Jun 8, 2008 1:23 AM in response to whitneyR.

Hmmm, you can't Repair the Disk unless you boot from the Install Disk, take a look again in DU, bottom section Verify available on left, but not repair. On the right both Verify & Repair Permissions is possible... which did you do exactly?

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Answer 6

whitneyR. Author

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Jun 8, 2008 1:29 AM in response to BDAqua

I think I did repair disk permissions, and the date and time button just vanished off the top

Message was edited by: whitneyR.

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Answer 7

BDAqua

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Jun 8, 2008 1:39 AM in response to whitneyR.

The important one is to Verify the other side, if it errors out get back ASAP.

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Answer 8

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

122,560 points

Jun 8, 2008 3:33 AM in response to whitneyR.

To be a little more specific, the "weird" font is the capital letter A with a box around it. It's in title menus, file names and drop down boxes.

This problem has been reported several times. It indicates that the primary system font, Lucida Grande, has become unavailable for some reason. You will probably need to reinstall the OS.

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Answer 9

BDAqua

Level 10

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Jun 8, 2008 1:53 PM in response to Tom Gewecke

AHA, thanks for the info Tom, was hoping you'd stop by on the Font thing! 🙂

But it appears the OP has more serious problems, of which Fonts was just the first noticeable one... I'm thinking the RAM or the HD went down shortly after their last post. 😟

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Answer 10

whitneyR. Author

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Jun 8, 2008 9:58 PM in response to BDAqua

thanks for the help guys...I did loose the conection and I'm having to put OS X back on, I think I'm just going to upgrade this time around. Luckily I have laptop for now until I get it fixed, but thanks again for the information.

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Answer 11

BDAqua

Level 10

250,619 points

Jun 8, 2008 11:27 PM in response to whitneyR.

Well, it's good to hear back from ya... good luck! 🙂

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