System Settings Confirmation won't close or go away.

Any time I install something that requires a system settings confirmation, I get the Allow / Confirmation / Dialog box asking if I want to XYZ with the Don't Allow and OK buttons at the bottom. Clicking either button shows that it's being selected, but then the box just hangs there and doesn't close. I can move it out of the way, but the only way to 'clear' it is to restart or log out and back in again.


Any ideas on how to track down the culprit of what's causing this?


Thanks

Chris

Mac mini

Posted on Mar 7, 2023 4:05 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 7, 2023 6:22 AM

Etrecheck is a diagnostic utility by etresoft, a respected member of this community. It does not change your system in any way. Its report will let us know about possible software or hardware problems.


Remember that none of us knows anything about your mac, and all macs have different hardware and software. By providing the report, we can know about software modifications that may be causing conflicts, or other issues, including hardware. The report does not contain any private information, as you can see for yourself before posting anything.

14 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 7, 2023 6:22 AM in response to asrai

Etrecheck is a diagnostic utility by etresoft, a respected member of this community. It does not change your system in any way. Its report will let us know about possible software or hardware problems.


Remember that none of us knows anything about your mac, and all macs have different hardware and software. By providing the report, we can know about software modifications that may be causing conflicts, or other issues, including hardware. The report does not contain any private information, as you can see for yourself before posting anything.

Mar 9, 2023 7:52 AM in response to asrai

Thanks for the reminder.


See below for many things that concur to the following summary diagnosis:


This systen has been upgraded, year over year, and OS version over OS version, for several years (probably a decade), and across several macs (including the current M1 mac).


It is high time you make two backups, then start with a fresh system.

Fortunately, it is easy to so in an M1 Mac.


System Settings->General->Transfer or Reset

then click "Erase All Content and Settings..."


This gives you just a fresh OS, and then will let you migrate your content.

CRUCIAL: elect to migrate ONLY the user accounts, and nothing else (otherwise you'd be back to where you started).


Then you can install the relevant applications, from the App Store or the developers' sites.

It is not nearly as time consuming as it may seem, and will let you enjoy your excellent mac the way it should be: snappy, and fun.




----------------- Some of the things found in the report; the list is not exhaustive -------

I can see that there a bunch of old things, probably installed a long time ago.

Often when you upgrade, year, after year, some old stuff ceases to work in the new OS.


A few things that, while not necessarily bad, are old and could be causing trouble:



You have extensions from Virtual Box version 4.something - the current one is somewhat like 6.1.30 or so.

The one you have does not work in a current OS.



TextWrangler has been abandoned some years ago; you can now use BBEdit free version instead.


In addition to newer system extensions from a relatively recent version of Parallels, there are also kernel extensions, that appear to be old.


You have Startup Items - a feature that has been deprecated since OS X 10.10 Yosemite...


You have a huge quantity of launch daemons, probably accumulated over the years, and many of them probably not necessary, and that could be causing errors.


You still have things like Silverlight and DiVX, which do not work and have not worked for a loooong time.




Mar 7, 2023 7:06 AM in response to asrai

Part 1 of 2


There are no known Windows-like Viruses in the wild that self replicate and affect macOS, because of the underling UNIX  Foundation and Permission Limitation. 


Additionally, in macOS 11 Big Sur, macOS 12 Monterey and macOS 13 Ventura. 


The Operating System resides in a Sealed and Read Only Volume that can not be opened by the User nor by Third Party Applications.


The only Entity that can open and modify or alter this Volume is Apple.


That would occur when a update or UpGrade is performed.


The Only thing this Antivirus software is protecting is the Bank Account of the Developers and for zero return to the User aside from the problems this software creates.


AntiVirus Developers purposefully Market their product to create a “ Fear Factor “. In so doing, creating a False Need for their Product.


The The Built in Security  is all that is required to protect the computer.


Part 2 of 2


Any of the below should be removed as per Developers Instructions 


Third Party Security Software 


Avast AntiVirus


Read some of the posting and arrive at your own conclusions.

Mar 7, 2023 7:17 AM in response to asrai

Q - " I had Avast running at one point, but not currently. Not familiar with Etrecheck. "


A - Sorry 😔 maybe I am over aggressive when see Antivirus Software installed and used on Apple macOS


A - There are times, some but not all users, mention Not Currently meaning as Switched OFF but still installed


That aside, you are in good hands now, visa vie the Etrecheck Report to be analyzed

Mar 16, 2023 6:44 AM in response to asrai

Luis,


Just wanted to post a follow up. Finally got around to doing this the other day and it didn't turn out to be a much of a headache as I was anticipating. Had to track down some applications, but all is well and that annoying issue with the System Preferences dialog is now gone and the system seems to be running much better overall. I greatly appreciate the input, help, and suggestions. AND I've some new knowledge in my back pocket.


Many thanks...


Chris

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System Settings Confirmation won't close or go away.

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