How can I Totally reset messages app on OSX?

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Level 1

5 points

How can I Totally reset messages app on OSX?

Here is what I tryed.

logged in to my guest MAC OSX account, started fresh and my messages work just fine and sync'ed with my iPhone 4S.

Logged back to my work user account (admin) and what happens is I just can't send any imessage to my iphone (on the "fresh from scratch" guest user it all worked just fine, mac to iphone, iphone to mac.. all perfect, messages showed on both) ...!?

I try sending a message from messages App on the MAC, then choose the to: field for my phone number which shows on the list with a symbol that stands for available for imessage (apple email is just the same behaviour), i then write something, press return ....and the message just doesn't show up on the conversation, nor the iphone.. and I don't get any error message!?

On the conversation pane all I see is a break line with the current time (the time the message was typed and I pressed return), but like stated no balloon (or square, etc..) with my message inside.

This kinda points to some freak error on my user account ...

So I de-active the account on the preferences on the messages app, log out, quit app..

Then Finder/user/library/ pref... searched for any files with "message" and deleted all these preferences files..

back on Finder/user/library/Messages i delete all attachments/ archive of old conversations and the database (.db) file ..

Secure Empty trash 'till it's clean ..

Iphone Setting/general/messages/ turn off iMessage (and yes I choose apple ID here)

Reboot my macbook pro

Open Messages, reconfigure like before on the guest user (and on the regular user for that matter).

Prob still stands ...

On the iphone front I can send imessages to myself or any one with iphone no problem.. just nothing shows up on the MAC!!

HELP --

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2), works on guest user with fresh conf

Posted on Oct 2, 2012 5:22 PM

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Answer 1

dj_ze_migl Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 2, 2012 5:24 PM in response to dj_ze_migl

Just a small other piece of the puzzle, I had Messages BETA installed previous to the release of M.Lion.

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Answer 2

Oct 3, 2012 1:36 PM in response to dj_ze_migl

Hi,

The iMessages side should be reset with just deleting com.apple.imservice.iMessage.plist

This .plist holds the Apple ID and any verified Aliases (the iPhone Number and any additional emails) linked to the Account.

com.apple.imessage.bag.plist holds the servers that iMessages account should be logging in to.

com.apple.ichat.plist holds most things set in the Messages Preferences (except the Accounts)

It also holds some of the menu settings.

The ones with AIM, Jabber, Subnet and Yahoo in the name hold the details of the relevant accounts that use those services (Subnet is Bonjour)

There is one for the Saved Status Messages you have made and another that deals with the Recent Items list.

com.apple.imagent.plist handles all the non iMessages accounts (it basically starts up when the computer does and provides background "listening" for Off line contact for all Messages accounts and for FaceTime.

9:36 PM Wednesday; October 3, 2012

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mountain Lion 10.8.2)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

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Answer 3

dj_ze_migl Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 3, 2012 4:14 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

Hi Ralph,

Thank you so much for your kind help and the patience to explain.

I had previously done a search in preferences for any files containing the name messages..

But now here is waht I did.

First I deleted all conversations, then signed out and log out of messages acount (in it's preferences)...

proceeded to search & delete each .plist you've mentioned.

deleted de messages database and arquive (user/library/messages/ )

secure emptyed trash..

reboot..

open messages, config'ed it ... bam works like a charm!!

THANK YOU!! 🙂

PS - on yer signature I see a PPC G4... my wife uses my first mac ever, a PPC PB12" G4 1.5Ghz, 1,25 Gb Ram .. also with Leopard.. The only real problem is that it's really slow to load youtube vid.s and image is always choppy/ broken .. almost impossible to see anything ... any pointers or websites ? Is this a lost case?
I'm closing on a deal for a 2nd hand C2D Macbook 2.Ghz 3Gb Ram.. but honestly I would love to keep my baby running for a few more months/ years ... even if just for my 6 & 2 year old to whatch movies/ listen to music.

PS - You mentioned on

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Answer 4

Oct 4, 2012 12:42 PM in response to dj_ze_migl

Hi

First may I say For the points

On the G4 Processor/YouTube front.

Pausing the Play until the whole video has loaded may help.

Making sure you have the latest Browser and it's Plugins that the computer can run may also help.

I am running Firefox 3.6.28 for PPC processors.

It tells me that Java should be updated but I can't find a PPC version.

It seems I may have the last version for PPC computers regarding Flash but again the Firefox checks suggest this is out of date as well.

Also check whilst running a video what the Activity Monitor says about CPU Usage. (i.e make sure if the Browser and Plugins need CPU that it is not being used by something else)

8:42 PM Thursday; October 4, 2012

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mountain Lion 10.8.2)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

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Answer 5

dj_ze_migl Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 4, 2012 4:33 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

Hi,

Again thanks for the time spent trying to help yet again.

On my wife's PB12" I am using tenfour browser which from what I read is a slimmed version o Firefox for PPC (even had to check in terminal which Processor I had to download the most cpu friendly version).

Ram wise I had checked and all is fine. Normally it's only mail and browser open so there should be enought resourses ... 😟 Is your PPC running smooth with youtube vid.s?

I will check that ff version you mentioned and also the activity monitor ..

I just assumed safari was getting to heavy for a PPC and installed tenfour ... only when this failed I started getting concerned.

Also coming to think of it I think I might try with a clean/ guest user account, just to make sure it's not some freak config on my wife's user account.

Cheers,

Z

PS - Don't want to abuse you patience and kindness but I would really appreciated, if you have any tips about this, your precious help here : https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4388121

I thank you in advance

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Answer 6

Oct 5, 2012 11:47 AM in response to dj_ze_migl

HI,

I launched Firefox on the G4 and tried a few car Video on YouTube.

Some would stutter near the beginning but quickly become smooth.

I would say this would be the same occasional dropping of frames you might see on any browser on any computer.

However mostly the G4 just sits here at the moment (turned on and waiting).

The Browser was the only thing Open.

I did follow the Adobe's site info for the most compatible Flash Install and got the same one that was already installed.

I did manage to update Flip4Mac as well.

On your other Link I cannot help.

The odd things that can happen with Mail tend to be beyond me and I have to ask for help myself.

7:47 PM Friday; October 5, 2012

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mountain Lion 10.8.2)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Reply

Answer 7

Oct 15, 2012 9:16 AM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

Hello Ralph,

I have a Macbook Pro from 2009, and lately I have been experiencing trouble sending messages to my friends. It works on the iPads my family owns, but it seems to only not work on my Mac. I've tried to replicate your suggestions for dj, but have come up with no results. I am unable to even find those .plists at all, and was really hoping you could help me figure out what's going on.

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Answer 8

dj_ze_migl Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 15, 2012 12:11 PM in response to Firelegend240

Hi,

You probably have Lion or Mountain Lion OSX.

Since these the Library folder is hidden by default ...

go to the finder, pres cmd+N to open a new finder window, now go to the top menu GO... press the menu while holding the ALT Key, in fact if you have pressed it and you hold and release the key ALT you'll see Library showing and desapearing from the dropdown list...

Chosse Library, now navigate to the folder preferences (or if needed aldo to the application support).

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Z

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Answer 9

dj_ze_migl Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 15, 2012 12:14 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

Sorry ralph I now realised I didn't answer you back.

I got a great deal on a Macbook c2d 2.ghz with 3gb RAM and 500Mb of HDD .. €300 it's been used by two previous owners but it looks absolutely mint 🙂

Will try to do what you adviced but also first a spanking new user account ... will let you know the results here.

Cheers for being so helpfull.

Z

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Answer 10

Oct 15, 2012 2:35 PM in response to dj_ze_migl

Hi,

Depending who is selling it it may have been deep cleaned before Sale.

I would Repair Permissions (Disk Utility in Applications/Utilities)

I would also try a PRAM reset.

Shut down the computer.

Restart it holding down Apple/CMD ( or ⌘)+ALT( ⌥)+P+R Keys until you have heard three Start Up Bongs.

Basically some simple Maintenance to check it is working as smoothly as it can.

10:35 PM Monday; October 15, 2012

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mountain Lion 10.8.2)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Reply

Answer 11

Oct 15, 2012 2:40 PM in response to Firelegend240

Hi,

Just to clear up a few things.

The Mac will have three Library Folders one of which is Hidden in Lion an Mountain Lion as has been said.

Hard Drive (name)/Library

Hard Drive/System/Library

Hard Drive/Users/(Your Account)/Library This is the one that is hidden from Lion upwards.

With the Finder as "Front" App (Listed in the Menu bar)

The Go Menu > Hold Down ALT key > Select Library in the Menu > Navigate to Preferences (in this case)

You can also use Go to Folder and Enter ~/Library (the ~ replaces the hard Drive name/Users/(your Account) bits)

10:40 PM Monday; October 15, 2012

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mountain Lion 10.8.2)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Reply

Answer 12

dj_ze_migl Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 15, 2012 3:24 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

Sorry maybe I didn't explained myself properly, the new Macbook is just fine... I created a new user with admin perm. delete all the other ones and then their folders on the HDD. Then upgraded to ML. inserted .icloud details and emails/ facebook/ iTunes/ app Store/ etc...

Rebooted with cmr+R ... corrected disk and prefs...

Now on the PB 12" is the one I meant about testing your tips to see if I can extend it's life for some time ...
Now this one will pass on to the new generation (a 6 year old daughter and a 1 year old sun ... I had an iPad1 for sometime they she loved it .. but I sold it thinking of the ipad3... now I'm kind'a broke lol but been waiting to see if this iPad Mini rumour pans out! )...

Anyways thank you for being so helpfull ...

Z

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Answer 13

Oct 16, 2012 1:53 PM in response to dj_ze_migl

Understood.

9:53 PM Tuesday; October 16, 2012

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mountain Lion 10.8.2)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Reply

Answer 14

Sdz1113

Level 1

0 points

May 17, 2013 8:19 AM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

Hi Ralph,

I can't see my camera on the messages app and I don't have any com.apple.imservice.iMessage.plist in my library folder. I don't know what to do to reset my messages. I dont have any of the com.apple.plists that pertain to this problem.

I have been struggling for hours

Spencer

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Answer 15

May 17, 2013 11:43 AM in response to Sdz1113

Hi,

For me this post is linked to something higher up the order and there is a post I see at the bottom dated 15th Oct 2012 replying to Fireledgend240 that explains about the different "Libraries" that Mac has.

It also explains how to access the Users/(your Account)/Library that is hidden in Lion and Mountain Lion.

The Original Post states the poster had looked in this Library which is why I didn't mention it in the reply that got marked as Correct.

Saying you can't see the camera implies Messages will Launch (It would not if the .plists were missing and not being recreated if they were)

To see what the camera sees you need to go to the Messages Menu > Preferences > Video/Audio icon and then the preview will show (Or you get a space which tells you there is no camera)

Is the "lack of Camera" the issue you are referring to ?

The Original Question is more about Syncing iMessages and sending new ones that it is about the camera.

7:43 PM Friday; May 17, 2013

 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mountain Lion 10.8.3)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Reply