Finder not responding
iMac (late 2013) Intel Core i5
OS Catalina 10.15.8
SSD 1TB. 759.58 GB available
I've restarted & rebooted as per the various instructions on the Net.
I've applied the remedies in Terminal & Activity Monitor.
Reinstalled OS twice.
Please help!
[Edited by Moderator]
Given the circumstances you describe, if you have another Admin account I would use it to migrate the "problem" Account from its Time Machine backup using Migration Assistant. This of course assumes a viable TM backup, that is, one created prior to the onset of the problem.
Restore your Mac from a backup - Apple Support
Skip Step 1. You already tried that.
Oh thanks. What a relief that it's not OS. I'll skip that and go ahead with Time Machine.
Actually I do have 2 back up disks. One was backing up for a while whilst the problem was going on. The other before contamination. I'll try sequentially both and see what I get.
Sad news (writing from functioning new User)
With Migration Assistant in a functioning User (admin) I backed up from Time Machine (pre malfunction) the file “Macintosh HD” was successful.
No documents found in functioning User. I could not login into faulty User (password rejected). During backup I had used the same old login passwords (wrong?).
Then I attempted backup of the second file ”SSD Data”. This time I created new passwords. Backing up got stuck and would not complete.
Rebooted with recovery and reinstalled OS with update 10.15.8
I’m at a loss what to do (retry?)
Apple Store (2 red notifications) does not open (System Configuration).
Advice please how to recover my lifetime files.
" I think your best option to attempt recovery of your data is by taking everything to a local Apple expert. "
I agree. And if cost is prohibitive. I'll buy a new Mac and let Apple Store recover my Data from the 2 Time Machines.
Thank you both WHTech and D.I.Johnson for your time and efforts spent on this issue.
Zenon Stoikos wrote:
" I think your best option to attempt recovery of your data is by taking everything to a local Apple expert. "
I agree. And if cost is prohibitive. I'll buy a new Mac and let Apple Store recover my Data from the 2 Time Machines.
Thank you both WHTech and D.I.Johnson for your time and efforts spent on this issue.
Keep in mind Apple will only attempt basic troubleshooting to access the backups. Apple does not perform any in-depth data recovery, nor do they have any understanding of how to confirm the health of external drives. That is why I mentioned an AASP as some AASPs may offer more advanced & in-depth services. I've worked with multiple techs over the years and most don't understand proper safety protocols when dealing with data recovery situations. Sometimes I may be overly cautious, but I believe better safe than sorry.
Good luck and let us know what happens.
Zenon Stoikos wrote:
Dear HWTech and D.I.Jonson.
Following your advise I took the faulty iMac (Catalina) to a local AASP (tech specialist) who fixed the problem. Quote: I created a new user account and manually migrated everything from the ‘Home Folder' (Desktop, Documents, Photos, etc…) EXCEPT the old corrupt 'Library folder’.
Thanks for the time spent and advise.
Thanks for the update. I'm glad you got it sorted out.
Yes, I've Restarted (many times) with Safe and with Recover Modes. As well as various methods in Terminal.
Finder does not open.
I downloaded EntreCheckPro.zip but cannot access it since Desktop is blank and Downloads cannot be accessed from Finder. Finder does not open.
Apple Store App opens up now (for 2 App updates)
You're welcome.
Good luck! 🍀
Wonderful! Glad to know this is sorted out. 👍🏽
Thank you for updating the Community about the solution.
Finder not responding on iMac (late 2013) running Catalina
