can't add any fonts to font book

Question

Level 1

5 points

can't add any fonts to font book

I can in no way known to me add any font to font book. (Known ways: from the menu, from the + button, double clicking the font file which then gets displayed in a font book window with an activate button—pressing that button.) Neither of these adds a font (legally owned, operational and running on a second mac flawlessly). I shifted my fonts folder, of course no change. I never experienced this. Any idea?

2.93 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon, Mac OS X (10.5.8), 6 GB 1066 MHz DDR3 Memory, ATI Radeon HD 4870

Posted on Apr 16, 2010 6:30 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Kurt Lang

Level 9

57,864 points

Apr 16, 2010 8:11 AM in response to esa ceduti

Usually an indication that Font Book's database and/or collections are damaged. You can reset it by restarting the Mac in Safe Mode (restart and immediately hold down the shift key), then restart normally. This will clear Font Book's database, font collections and all cache data from your user account.

Be aware that all fonts will be active regardless of their state beforehand, and all collections you've created will be gone. Unfortunately, there isn't another way to fix this type of problem.

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Answer 2

macitect

Level 2

480 points

Apr 16, 2010 1:50 PM in response to Kurt Lang

Thanks so much, Kurt. I had this problem too and tried deleting the plist etc to no avail. My font book now accepts new fonts!

cheers.

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Answer 3

esa ceduti Author

Level 1

5 points

Apr 22, 2010 9:45 AM in response to Kurt Lang

Worked for me, too. Sorry it took me so long to get back. I had to do a reinstall after all.

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Answer 4

Apr 27, 2010 5:55 PM in response to Kurt Lang

Font book does not add fonts regardless of restarting with shift held down - safe start. Font book still contains user fonts and other lists.

Any other solutions would be greatly appreciated.

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Answer 5

Kurt Lang

Level 9

57,864 points

May 8, 2010 11:23 AM in response to Ryan Nellis

Font book does not add fonts regardless of restarting with shift held down - safe start.

That is correct. While in Safe Mode, you cannot add any fonts. The OS only allows certain necessary fonts to load.

If you mean you've done a Safe Mode boot and still cannot add fonts after restarting normally, then there are multiple possible problems:

1) The fonts are so badly damaged, they can't be used.

2) They are Type 1 PostScript fonts which are missing the suitcase of screen fonts. Printer outline fonts cannot be used alone.

3) The OS needs to be reinstalled.

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