Contacts will not start-up

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Level 1

13 points

Contacts will not start-up

Hi, I hope someone can help me. We use 2 iMac's in an office setting. Contacts on one iMac crashed and will not re-start. It activates, but it will not display anything other than the menu at the top. A couple of times, the faint outline of the Contacts window appears, but is is translucent. All you see is the desktop. I have re-started the Contacts and the iMac a few times. We downloaded Monterrey, since that was due anyway. Nothing seems to work. We have never synched Contacts with iCloud. Since we have 2 computers, it would be too complicated to try to synch them in the cloud. In the old days, I could delete the old Contacts software and re-install. But, without a physical CD, we cannot re-install just one app.

When I google for a solution, all I get are issues with synching Contacts. This seems to be a basic software issue. TIA.

Tom

iMac 21.5″, macOS 11.2

Posted on Dec 9, 2021 7:33 AM

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Answer 1

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rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,500 points

Dec 9, 2021 11:50 AM in response to tjcoffice

Well I see the problem, you have created a bit of a mess. Please read below:

The best antivirus, cleaning app, and overall maintenance app for Mac OS is Mac OS itself. All you need to do with Mac OS to keep it secure and running well is to keep it up-to-date and do periodic (about 1x per week) restarts. Other than that, leave it alone. Adding third party antivirus, cleaning, security and other types of maintenance apps to Mac OS adds no additional level of security. The only thing these apps do is have the opposite affect users want. They make Mac OS slow, unstable, generate odd behavior (much like you are experiencing) and make Mac OS appear buggy.

Please locate the developers uninstall instructions for Symantec, Avast, and Panda Security and follow to the letter. They are all a 100% total waste and damaging to Mac OS. After you have uninstalled each per the developers instructions please restart in Safe Mode per the directions in Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac and then restart normally.

If your problem persists then run a fresh EtreCheck report and scan it carefully for any hints of any of those apps. If you see anything you will either have to do an erase and install and start over again or you can try using a tool like FindAnyFile and manually remove any evidence of them.

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Answer 2

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,500 points

Dec 9, 2021 7:51 AM in response to tjcoffice

What happens when you restart in Safe Mode and then restart normally? If you are not familiar with Safe Mode, please click Use Safe Mode to isolate issues with your Mac.

By the way, do you have any third party antivirus, cleaning or any other similar utilities installed?

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Answer 3

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,500 points

Dec 9, 2021 9:55 AM in response to tjcoffice

I doubt re-installing Mac OS will help but let us know. If it does not help please do the following:

It will help us get a good idea of what is causing your problem if you provide a report of your system, that way we do not have to play 20 questions with you. The report we are requesting does NOT provide any personal information and is extremely safe to use. Please navigate to www.Etrecheck.com and download the free version of EtreCheck. Once you have you downloaded the app and installed it, please run the report and save it.

When you have your report, you can attach it when you reply to this message and we can then review it and help you determine what is needed to get your system running well again.

For instructions on how to download your EtreCheck report and attach it to your reply to this message please click https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-250000211

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Answer 4

Jack-19

Level 8

46,254 points

Dec 9, 2021 11:54 AM in response to tjcoffice

I would also scan with a real anti-malware, Malwarebytes for Mac.

Jack

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Answer 5

tjcoffice Author

Level 1

13 points

Dec 9, 2021 9:22 AM in response to rkaufmann87

Thanks for the response. In safe mode, the same problem persisted. So, we are re-installing the mac OS. No, we do not have any anti-virus or cleaning software on that mac. I did not realize re-installing was as simple as this.

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Answer 6

tjcoffice Author

Level 1

13 points

Dec 9, 2021 11:53 AM in response to Jack-19

Yea, those Norton folders are super obscure. I cannot find them. Perhaps the Norton folks can tell me how to get all of them. Not sure where the report finds Panda. We have never had Panda. Not even sure what that is. I assume its anti-virus. I'll try those other steps. thanks.

Tom

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Answer 7

tjcoffice Author

Level 1

13 points

Dec 9, 2021 11:37 AM in response to rkaufmann87

Well, ok as you suggested, re-installing the OS did not help. I did install antivirus software - Avast - just to make sure that was not a problem. Attached is the Etrecheck report. Thanks again.

Etrechechk report

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Answer 8

Jack-19

Level 8

46,254 points

Dec 9, 2021 11:42 AM in response to tjcoffice

Your system is not in good shape.

➡️ First, I see no backup. If you do not have a Time Machine backup drive, I recommend using a SanDisk Professional G-DRIVE - Western Digital as your backup drive. You can then follow the Apple Support steps to setup your Time Machine backup: Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support.

I personally also use iCloud in addition to Time Machine to sync all my files and photos to all my Apple devices. Although iCloud is not a "true" backup service, iCloud can also act as an emergency backup, but this is why iCloud should be used in addition to Time Machine. Here are some resources on setting up iCloud for Mac:

➡️ Delete Symantec/Norton, Avast, and Panda Security: How to Delete Anti-Virus, Cleaners, VPNs,… - Apple Community. Mac computers do not need any sort of anti-virus, cleaners, VPNs, etc. The only thing they are good at is creating false marketing promises and taking consumers' money. They are all scams. In fact, anti-virus and other cleaners cause performance issues, security issues, and make macOS appear buggy. Your Mac is far worse with these types of Apps installed.

➡️ Delete the Internet Plug-Ins in /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/ and ~/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/.

➡️ Delete Startup Items.

➡️ Delete Canon software, then Reset the printing system on your Mac to solve a problem - Apple Support, and finally Add a printer to your printer list so you can use it on Mac - Apple Support. No printer branded software should be used.

➡️ Remove the orphan files.

Then, Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support, login, and restart into normal mode and test.

Jack

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Contacts will not start-up

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