TS1541: Solutions for troubleshooting installation, startup, and login issues in Mac OS X v10.5

Learn about Solutions for troubleshooting installation, startup, and login issues in Mac OS X v10.5
teresadi
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: I tried importing email addresses from gmail and now my address book is locked up and will not work. Help please.

I tried importing email addresses from gmail and now my address book is locked up and will not work. Do I need to delete my address book software and reinstall? If so, what is the proper way to do this? New to Macbook software. I have tried several things and nothing has helped. I have backed up photos, movies, etc. My addresses are on my iphone so I can sync them later right if I loose my data?

 

Thanks for your time and expertise,

T.

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Jul 18, 2012 10:26 AM

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teresadi

Q: I tried importing email addresses from gmail and now my address book is locked up and will not work. Help please.

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Neville Hillyer,

    Neville Hillyer Neville Hillyer Jul 18, 2012 2:27 PM in response to teresadi
    Level 4 (1,877 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 18, 2012 2:27 PM in response to teresadi

    I cannot help with iPhone but I may be able to help with Leopard. Which one has the problem?

  • by teresadi,

    teresadi teresadi Jul 18, 2012 3:05 PM in response to Neville Hillyer
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 18, 2012 3:05 PM in response to Neville Hillyer

    Thank you for the response Neville. The problem is with my macbook 10.5.8

  • by Neville Hillyer,

    Neville Hillyer Neville Hillyer Jul 19, 2012 4:08 AM in response to teresadi
    Level 4 (1,877 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 19, 2012 4:08 AM in response to teresadi

    You can probably resolve this by removing some Address Book preference files rather than deleting your Address Book application.

     

    First turn off Synchronize in Address Book Preferences if you can.

     

    Next restart Address Book and try to export everything to your Desktop.

     

    I have had a play and found my Address Book preference files. In the following ~/Library is the Library within your Home folder. Any numerals may differ on your Mac. Quit Address Book before doing anything with these.

     

    1 - Display details and things set in Address Book Preferences

    ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.AddressBook.plist

     

    2 - Has no data - not sure what this does

    ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.AddressBook.abd.plist

     

    3 - Has last sync date - may have more if I used sync

    ~/Library/Preferences/ByHost/com.apple.AddressBook.sync.000393735c06.plist

     

    4 - My contact details

    /Library/Preferences/AddressBookMe.plist

     

    5 - Individual addresses and groups stored as separate files within:

    ~/Library/Application Support/AddressBook/Metadata

     

    6 - All of these addresses are are also in this single database:

    ~/Library/Application Support/AddressBook/AddressBook-v22.abcddb

     

    1. If you wish to remove all addresses drag both 5 & 6 to your Desktop.
    2. If you wish to reset preferences drag 1 your Desktop.
    3. Removing 3 may resolve sync issues but I am unable to test this.
    4. If you wish to reset everything drag all except 4 to your desktop.

     

    Apple has an interesting page at: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2481

     

    I hope this helps.