System and Finder Preferences not saving

Question

System and Finder Preferences not saving

I'm very frustrated with OS X Lion.

First I hate the app windows in my face when I first start up my computer. There is a reason I quit them and shut off my computer. I don't want to see them every time I turn on my computer.

It's easy to shut off? Just go into system prefrences and uncheck "Restore Windows when quitting and re-opening apps". Easy except for one minor detail. My system preferences don't save. I uncheck it and restart guess what? It's checked again.

Preferences saving is not limited to the System prefereneces though. The finder and all my app preferences are not able to be saved either.

This is very frustrating.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7)

Posted on Jul 28, 2011 7:49 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

neuronatal

Level 2

170 points

Jul 28, 2011 5:10 PM in response to Joe Fitzgerald

having the same issue..anyone have a solution??

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Answer 2

Jul 29, 2011 8:41 AM in response to Joe Fitzgerald

I ran repair permissions using disk utility... nothing. Still can save any preferences. Lion is a suck!

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Answer 3

macjack

Level 10

111,168 points

Jul 29, 2011 8:51 AM in response to Joe Fitzgerald

Create a new User go to System Preferences > Accounts > "+" (make it an admin acct) and test the preferences in this new account, if they work the problem is isolated to your User and not systemwide.

It does not sound like a permissions issue and even if it was, running Repair Permissions touches nothing within your Home folder.

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Answer 4

Aug 2, 2011 11:22 AM in response to Joe Fitzgerald

Creating a new user didn't work. It is a permissions issue I believe. I get errors all the time about how the system tried to do something but didn't have the permissions to do so. Photoshop, for example, tells me it can't save my preferences because it doesn't have the nessesary permissions.

I have tried updating my permisssions, on my user directory, to read+write for everyone and applying to enclosed items. Still I get the errors and nothing will save.

In my opinion, Lion, is Apple's equivalent to Window's Vista. I'm going to have to clean sweep my machine and re-install Snow Leopard untill they release OS bobcat or whatever is next. Lion is a horrible mistake.

Thanks apple.

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Answer 5

Aug 6, 2011 3:13 AM in response to Joe Fitzgerald

This sounds similar to the problem I'm having.... http://discussions.apple.com/thread/3209638

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Answer 6

Aug 7, 2011 5:08 PM in response to Joe Fitzgerald

I found the fix! It's a real hassle but this is how I fixed it. Let me say that I was forced to discover this fix because I am using my Mac in a professional environment. I can't wait for apple to release a stable version of the OS.

Here is the fix:

1) Insert the snow leopard disk into the disk drive.

2) Follow the install instructions for a clean sweep install.

The time this clean sweep set me back cost me a ton of money, but, it was necessary since I could not edit any of my files. Lion insured I had insufficient privelages to do so. Attempts to fix the permissions on a per-file basis were time consuming and costly. Per directory updates wouldn't work at all. On top of that, any permissions update was temporary; they would go right back to being hosed on the next boot-up.

This is the biggest F-up Apple has ever produced. OS Lion is the biggest piece of crap since Windows Vista. A complete fail.

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Answer 7

Aug 8, 2011 10:09 AM in response to Joe Fitzgerald

Short of downgrading to a clean install of snow leopard, does anyone else have a fix for the failure of Lion to save System Preferences?

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Answer 8

Aug 8, 2011 1:03 PM in response to Joe Fitzgerald

Okay, I found something that helps. I'm still having application specific problems, but this has helped with the preferences at least.

You need to download the application BatChmod http://batchmodmac.en.softonic.com/mac

Select your user directory and set the permissions accordingly:

Owner

Username

R-W-X

Grooup

Username

R

Everyone

R

Options

Change ownership and privileges

Unlock

Clear ACLs (10.5+)

Apply to enclosed folders and files

DISCLAIMER: This is what I did to fix my problem. It's up to you to decide if this is the right course of action for you. At the time I made this change I had nothing to lose; my computer was not functioniong to a workable level.

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Answer 9

Aug 8, 2011 3:09 PM in response to neuronatal

Well, it is not a clean install of Snow Leopard, but what I did or seem to have found is that if I do a clean install of Lion and do not use the Snow Leopard preferences from the Time Machine Backup I have I do not have a problem. I have tried several ways to fix this and the only thing that worked for ME is a complete clean install OS and apps.

Willy

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Answer 10

Aug 9, 2011 3:18 AM in response to Joe Fitzgerald

I have found a solution. This worked for me:

1) Create a new user account. Make sure it has a desireable name, otherwise you're going to want to change it later, and that will cause permission issues. (check if preferences are saving in this temporary new account, if not, I can't help you.)

2) Transfer all the files you want to keep by putting them in the SHARED folder.

3) Change permissions to the folders and files in your shared folder by right clicking and clicking on GET INFO. Then go to the very bottom of the popup menu and unlock the picture of the lock. Next change permissions so that your new account will have permission to view the files. You might have to add your new account to the list by pressing the plus button, or simply allow staff the read and right, or just let everyone read and right. Next click on the gear menu (the one with the little gear on it.) and click on APPLY TO ENCLOSED ITEMS.

4) Go to your new user account and take the things in the shared folder and put them where you had them in your older account.

Now you have a new user with the files you want, the permissions right, and preferences will save!

I really really really hope this works for you. I know how extremely frustrating it was. It worked for me, and I am so relieved now.

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Answer 11

Aug 13, 2011 12:50 AM in response to kwik.3.mart

***

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Answer 12

Aug 14, 2011 9:10 AM in response to Joe Fitzgerald

I had two problems when I first upgraded to Lion -

1 - Finder would not remember my preferences. I wanted to remove the 'All my files' link from the sidebar and add 'HD Drive' to the sidebar. This can easily be done in the preferences pane of finder. However whenever I would log out or restart my mac it would forget my saved preferences and revert back.

2 - I previously had 'Spaces' on my dock, however now, because of launchpad, the spaces icon was made redundant and would show up as a grey question mark. As above, I would remove this icon but whenever I logged out or restarted the icon would be back as if I hadn't done anything! Rather annoying.

To resolve this issue I did the following -

For problem number 1 -

- Open a new finder window.

- Click on 'Go' in the finder bar. Hold down the 'alt/option' button.

- 'Library' will appear. Click on that.

- Go to the 'Preferences' folder and look for 'com.apple.sidebarlists.plist'.

- Move this file to the Trash.

- Change your preferences, and log out/back in again. It will now save correctly.

For the Dock issue, do the same as above however this time you are looking for 'com.apple.dock.plist'. Delete this file and your dock issues will be sorted!

Hope thats some help.

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Answer 13

Aug 14, 2011 9:19 AM in response to Joe Fitzgerald

As for the system preferences issues try deleting 'com.apple.systempreferences.plist'. If your worried about screwing up your mac then you can just send the file to the trash, restart you computer, if everything works fine, empty the trash, if it doesn't work then just restore the .plist file to its orignal location.

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Answer 14

Sep 7, 2011 1:01 PM in response to Joe Fitzgerald

BatChmod worked for me, thanks Kwik!!! I haven't had mail on my big mac for over a week coz mail would never save my password, then finally realised it appeared to be a problem with saving to prefrences and their privileges, so eventually ended up here! I was pretty close to a fresh install too, so thanks for posting this!

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Answer 15

cesário

Level 1

0 points

Sep 7, 2011 3:17 PM in response to Joe Fitzgerald

This solved my problem. Thanks!

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