Where the flick did my desktop go?

Question

Level 1

2 points

Where the flick did my desktop go?

Alright, let's start from the beginning. I installed Pathfinder so I could get rid of the annoying finder icon on my desktop. Once I installed Pathfinder I was then able to remove the finder icon from my dock using Pathfinder...follow me? Alright.
Well, that was cool....until I restarted my computer - once i did that, the option to remove the finder icon using Pathfinder was gone. So that *****. Anyone knows how to fix that let me know....but I'm really here because now, all of the sudden all my items that were on my desktop are gone.
Gone!
If I go check out my desktop using my finder or the menu and go into my desktop icon - i can see all of the items that were on my desktop - i can click on them and open them, but they are gone from my desktop. What do I do to fix this? And if anyone knows the pathfinder problem let me know. Thanks in advance, this *****!

macbook pro 6 gig, Mac OS X (10.6.3)

Posted on May 31, 2010 7:15 PM

Reply

Answer 1

CMCSK

Level 6

11,452 points

May 31, 2010 8:00 PM in response to jaredddddd

i can click on them and open them

If Pathfinder has an uninstaller, use it to uninstall that app.
Trash the Finder plist from ~/Library/Preferences.
Boot up from your install disc and run _"Repair Disk"_ from the Utility menu.
After that is done, restart to get back to your desktop and then repair permissions.

The Finder is the heart of the Mac. Why you want to get rid of it-the icon, is hard for me to fathom. As you found out, your computer is useless without it.

If you right click the Finder in the Dock, you will see an option to "hide."

Message was edited by: CMCSK

Reply

Answer 2

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Jun 1, 2010 12:34 AM in response to CMCSK

If you right click the Finder in the Dock, you will see an option to "hide."

ROTFLMAO. That only hides any open Finder windows, not the Finder's Dock icon.

Reply

Answer 3

KJK555

Level 4

2,906 points

Jun 1, 2010 12:18 PM in response to jaredddddd

Looks like your only workable solution is going be placing a piece of tape over the icon, and be
sure it's not clear scotch tape. 🙂

Reply

Answer 4

thomas_r.

Level 7

32,031 points

Jun 1, 2010 12:59 PM in response to jaredddddd

I installed Pathfinder so I could get rid of the annoying finder icon on my desktop.

Yeah, I hate that little guy. He sticks his tongue out at me whenever I'm not looking right at him. And he talks to me. He tells me bad things. Very bad things. *GET OUT OF MY HEAD!*

😉

All kidding aside, how exactly does the Finder icon in the Dock bother you so much? (BTW, the Dock is not the desktop...)

Once I installed Pathfinder I was then able to remove the finder icon from my dock using Pathfinder...follow me?

No, I don't. What exactly did you tell Pathfinder to do? Did you use it to delete the Finder or something?

all of the sudden all my items that were on my desktop are gone.

IIRC, the Finder is responsible for the desktop. If you have managed to trash the Finder, you don't have a desktop anymore. Your files are all still in the Desktop folder, but without the Finder, that's just another folder.

What do I do to fix this?

You could try using [Pacifist|http://www.charlessoft.com> to reinstall the Finder if you trashed it.

Reply