Can't open Grab

Question

Level 1

8 points

Can't open Grab

Hey guys, sorry if this is in the wrong section, if it is just let me know and I'll repost in the correct forum.

Here is my predicament: When I try to open 'Grab' to take a screenshot, I get the error: "The item cannot be opened. It may be disabled or not installed." I then ran a search in Finder, and I couldn't even find the program at all. Is there a way for me to re-install just that app? I still have all of my install discs.

Thanks for any/all help!

Macbook Pro 15", Mac OS X (10.6.1), Snow Leopard

Posted on Oct 7, 2009 12:20 AM

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Answer 1

Oct 7, 2009 4:39 AM in response to slednecker2

HI,

Try deleting this file first.

com.apple.grab.plist

~/Library/Preferences. Move that file to the Trash and restart your Mac.

I assume you are trying to launch Grab from your Dock? That is just an alias so it could be corrupted... perhaps deleting that .plist file might do the trick, if not...

The Grab application should be in your Applications folder...

If deleting that .plist file didn't help, try deleting this one.

com.apple.launchservices.plist

Regarding reinstalling the Grab application. Since Grab can't be reinstalled from the SL disk optional installs pkg., I'm not sure how you reinstall an application from a previous OS.

I have called in the calvary to ask for help for you on this issue. Hopefully someone will be along to help with that.

Carolyn 🙂

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Answer 2

Oct 7, 2009 5:38 AM in response to Carolyn Samit

HI,

I asked to make sure... you can reinstall the Grab application if necessary from our Mac install disk using Pacifist Not your Snow Leopard disk.

Carolyn 🙂

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Answer 3

Oct 7, 2009 5:57 AM in response to slednecker2

HI,

There is no option for an Archive and Install for Snow Leopard. If necessary, the alternative is to restore from a previous back up (Time Machine etc).

Pacifist would be the best option for reinstalling the Grab application.

Carolyn 🙂

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Answer 4

slednecker2 Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 7, 2009 10:06 AM in response to Carolyn Samit

Sorry, I guess I should make a clarification: I don't have Grab in my Dock at all, I'd never used it before. I'm pretty new to Macs, so last night I did a search of how to take a screenshot, and in the help menu it gave the option to open Grab from there. I clicked on that shortcut, and that's when I got the error message. I then tried to search for it in my applications, and it didn't appear at all.

I am at school now and I don't have time at this moment to try your suggestions, but I definitely will do them a bit later tonight, and then I will post my results.

Thank you so much for your input!

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Answer 5

Oct 7, 2009 10:58 AM in response to slednecker2

HI,

No problem. Post back if you need more help.

Caroyn 🙂

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Answer 6

slednecker2 Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 7, 2009 8:18 PM in response to Carolyn Samit

I cannot find either of those .plist files that you suggested I delete, but I might just be looking for them in the wrong way. I opened up 'Macintosh HD' and searched from in there, and didn't find it anywhere. I tried searching just partial names, with similar results. Am I just looking for them in the wrong way?

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Answer 7

Ashka

Level 4

3,891 points

Oct 7, 2009 9:18 PM in response to slednecker2

Open Finder in Column View.
First check Applications > Utilities > Grab
ie Grab is in the Utilities folder.

Plist files in User library (Under the house icon)
User Library > Preferences > com.apple.Grab.plist. Which may not be there if you have never opened it.
User Library > Preferences > com.apple.LaunchServices.plist.

command shift 3 also takes a screen shot
command shift 4 allows you to draw around anything onscreen and it takes a picture of it.
The screen shots are left on your desktop.
S.

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