Mac freezes when trying to save files or access Finder

HI,

Try deleting this file. com.apple.finder.plist

/Users/YourName/Library/Preferences. Drag that file from the Preferences folder to the Trash, empty the Trash and restart your Mac and see if that helps.

For apps that quit unexpectedly.
My application quit unexpectedly
There are several reasons an application might quit suddenly. If an application does so repeatedly, try to correct the problem by:
• Reopening the application. Click Reopen in the dialog that appears when the application quits unexpectedly.
• Clicking Try Again in the dialog that appears if the application crashes after using the Reopen button. If there is a problem with the application's preferences file, clicking Try Again sets the application to temporarily use new settings based on the application's default settings.
• Restarting your computer by choosing Apple > Restart.
• Uninstalling any third-party plug-ins or enhancements for the application that's quitting unexpectedly. When you update an application or Mac OS X, a plug-in or enhancement you previously installed may not be compatible any longer.
• Reading the application's documentation (including Read Me notes) to check if it's compatible with your version of Mac OS X.
• Opening another document in the application. There may be a problem with the document you were opening before.
• Using Disk Utility (in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder or on your Mac OS X installation disc) to repair the disk.
• Updating your software by choosing Apple > Update Software. Updates often correct issues found in previous versions. For applications not produced by Apple, look for updates on the manufacturer's website.
• Disconnecting any peripheral device you just connected (for example, a printer). It may not be compatible with your version of Mac OS X. If disconnecting the device solves your problem, contact its manufacturer.
• Running Apple Hardware Test, on a disc that came with your computer. If you just installed hardware, such as additional memory, Apple Hardware Test can tell you if it's defective. If you can't find Apple Hardware Test, take your computer to an Apple Authorized Service Provider.




Carolyn 🙂

Hi , and a warm welcome to the forums again! 🙂

Could be many things, we should start with this...

"Try Disk Utility

1. Insert the Mac OS X Tiger Install disc that came with your computer, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
*Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.*
3. Click the First Aid tab.
4. Click the disclosure triangle to the left of the hard drive icon to display the names of your hard disk volumes and partitions.
5. Select your Mac OS X volume.
6. Click Repair. Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk."

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214

Then try a Safe Boot, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, reboot when it completes.

(Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive.)

The usual reason why updates fail or mess things up, is if Permissions are not fixed before & after every update, with a reboot... you may get a partial update when the installer finds it doesn't have Permissions to change one obscure little part of the OS, leaving you with a mix of OS versions.

Some people get away without Repairing Permissions for years, some for only days.

If Permissions are wrong before applying an update, you could get mixed OS versions, if Directory is the slightest messed up, who knows!

If many Permission are repaired, or any Directory errors are found, you may need to re-apply some the latest/biggest updates.

May even need to do an Archive and Install if you have room on the HD, but saves all your files and gives a new OS...

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107120

I only use Software Update to see what is needed, then get them for real via...

http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/

That way I can wait a week or so, check the forums for potential problems, and get Permissions & such in order before installing.

If all the above fails, then it appears to be time for a relatively painless Archive & Install, which gives you a new/old OS, but can preserve all your files, pics, music, settings, etc., as long as you have plenty of free disk space and no Disk corruption, and is relatively quick & painless...

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107120

Just be sure to select Preserve Users & Settings.


Sometimes re-applying the big combo update will do it...

The combo update for PowerPC-based Macs...
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macosx10411comboupdateppc.html

The combo update for Intel-based Macs...
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macosx10411comboupdateintel.html

Repair Permissions afterwords, reboot.

my macbook is doing the same exact thing. Finder freezes when trying to open file or select a file. Did you find any solutions?