System Profiler no longer working

Question

System Profiler no longer working

Since the upgrade to 10.4.6 (I think), the system profiler no longer works. The "more info" button in the about this mac window launches the program, but no window is displayed. The File>New command does nothing. Every item in the View and Window menus is grayed out. If I try to run system_profiler from the shell, I get:

11:59pm jibe:~% system_profiler
2006-04-12 23:59:40.488 system_profiler[887] * -[SPDocument clëss]: selector not recognized [self = 0x3089f0]
2006-04-12 23:59:40.489 system_profiler[887] * Uncaught exception: <NSInvalidArgumentException> * -[SPDocument clëss]: selector not recognized [self = 0x3089f0]
Trace/BPT trap

Removing ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.SystemProfiler.plist has no effect.

Any ideas what the problem is or how to fix it?

David

PowerBook G4, Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Posted on Apr 12, 2006 9:02 PM

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Answer 1

Dr. Smoke

Level 9

56,586 points

Apr 12, 2006 9:55 PM in response to David Martin9

Hi, David. Welcome to the Discussions.

1. The system_profiler command is simply for running the report, not invoking the System Profiler application.

2. Have you tried launch the System Profiler by double-clicking its icon in the /Applications/Utilities directory? If it fails then, what does Console tell you? Check these Console logs for clues.

3. Had you made any font-related changes before this problem arose?

Good luck!

😉 Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X

---
Note: The information provided in the link(s) above is freely available. However, because I own The X Lab™, a commercial Web site to which some of these links point, the Apple Discussions Terms of Use require I include the following disclosure statement with this post:

I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.

Reply

Answer 2

Apr 13, 2006 7:06 PM in response to Dr. Smoke

I have not ever made any font-related changes to my system that I am aware of.

If I start the System Profiler either by clicking "more info" or by running it from the Utilities folder, I get the same behavior. The following two lines appear in the Console at each attempt:

2006-04-13 22:03:43.832 System Profiler[404] * -[SPDocument clëss]: selector not recognized [self = 0x34d770]
2006-04-13 22:03:43.832 System Profiler[404] * -[SPDocument clëss]: selector not recognized [self = 0x34d770]

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Answer 3

Apr 13, 2006 7:10 PM in response to Dr. Smoke

Here's the crash log from trying to run "system_profiler" in a terminal:

********

Host Name: jibe
Date/Time: 2006-04-13 22:04:58.919 -0400
OS Version: 10.4.6 (Build 8I127)
Report Version: 4

Command: system_profiler
Path: /usr/sbin/system_profiler
Parent: tcsh [409]

Version: ??? (???)

PID: 410
Thread: 0

Exception: EXC_BREAKPOINT (0x0006)
Code[0]: 0x00000001
Code[1]: 0x92992120

Thread 0 Crashed:
0 com.apple.Foundation 0x92992120 _NSRaiseError + 264
1 com.apple.Foundation 0x92991e5c +[NSException raise:format:] + 40
2 com.apple.Foundation 0x9296af4c -[NSObject(NSForwardInvocation) forward::] + 176
3 libobjc.A.dylib 0x90a4b0b0 objcmsgForward + 176
4 com.apple.framework.SPSupport 0x9527ab9c -[SPDocument init] + 92
5 system_profiler 0x00003290 0x1000 + 8848
6 system_profiler 0x00002844 0x1000 + 6212
7 system_profiler 0x000026e8 0x1000 + 5864

Thread 0 crashed with PPC Thread State 64:
srr0: 0x0000000092992120 srr1: 0x000000000002f030 vrsave: 0x0000000000000000
cr: 0x24000442 xer: 0x0000000000000004 lr: 0x00000000929920f8 ctr: 0x0000000092954264
r0: 0x0000000000000000 r1: 0x00000000bffff720 r2: 0x00000000a2951508 r3: 0x00000000a2975b88
r4: 0x0000000090a55ff0 r5: 0x0000000092953844 r6: 0x00000000bffff354 r7: 0x00000000000000ff
r8: 0x00000000bffff340 r9: 0x0000000000306c20 r10: 0x0000000090a44628 r11: 0x0000000028000442
r12: 0x0000000092954264 r13: 0x0000000000000000 r14: 0x0000000000000000 r15: 0x0000000000000000
r16: 0x0000000000000000 r17: 0x0000000000000000 r18: 0x0000000000306cc0 r19: 0x0000000000000000
r20: 0x0000000000000000 r21: 0x0000000000000000 r22: 0x0000000000000000 r23: 0x0000000000000000
r24: 0x00000000003089f0 r25: 0x00000000bffff898 r26: 0x00000000003089f0 r27: 0x00000000a296aadc
r28: 0x00000000003090a0 r29: 0x00000000a2956808 r30: 0x00000000003089f0 r31: 0x0000000092992028

Binary Images Description:
0x1000 - 0x3fff system_profiler /usr/sbin/system_profiler
0x8fe00000 - 0x8fe51fff dyld 44.4 /usr/lib/dyld
0x90000000 - 0x901bbfff libSystem.B.dylib /usr/lib/libSystem.B.dylib
0x90213000 - 0x90218fff libmathCommon.A.dylib /usr/lib/system/libmathCommon.A.dylib
0x9021a000 - 0x9026dfff com.apple.CoreText 1.0.1 (???) /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/ CoreText.framework/Versions/A/CoreText
0x9029a000 - 0x9034bfff ATS /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/ ATS.framework/Versions/A/ATS
0x9037a000 - 0x90734fff com.apple.CoreGraphics 1.258.27 (???) /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/ CoreGraphics.framework/Versions/A/CoreGraphics
0x907c1000 - 0x9089afff com.apple.CoreFoundation 6.4.4 (368.25) /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreFoundation.framework/Versions/A/CoreFoundation
0x908e3000 - 0x908e3fff com.apple.CoreServices 10.4 (???) /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/CoreServices
0x908e5000 - 0x909e7fff libicucore.A.dylib /usr/lib/libicucore.A.dylib
0x90a41000 - 0x90ac5fff libobjc.A.dylib /usr/lib/libobjc.A.dylib
0x90aef000 - 0x90b5dfff com.apple.framework.IOKit 1.4.1 (???) /System/Library/Frameworks/IOKit.framework/Versions/A/IOKit
0x90b74000 - 0x90b86fff libauto.dylib /usr/lib/libauto.dylib
0x90b8d000 - 0x90e65fff com.apple.CoreServices.CarbonCore 681.3 (671.2) /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/CarbonC ore.framework/Versions/A/CarbonCore
0x90ecb000 - 0x90f4bfff com.apple.CoreServices.OSServices 4.1 /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/OSServi ces.framework/Versions/A/OSServices
0x90f95000 - 0x90fd6fff com.apple.CFNetwork 129.13 /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/CFNetwo rk.framework/Versions/A/CFNetwork
0x90feb000 - 0x91003fff com.apple.WebServices 1.1.2 (1.1.0) /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/WebServ icesCore.framework/Versions/A/WebServicesCore
0x91013000 - 0x91094fff com.apple.SearchKit 1.0.5 /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/SearchK it.framework/Versions/A/SearchKit
0x910da000 - 0x91104fff com.apple.Metadata 10.4.4 (121.36) /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/Metadat a.framework/Versions/A/Metadata
0x91115000 - 0x91123fff libz.1.dylib /usr/lib/libz.1.dylib
0x91126000 - 0x912e9fff com.apple.security 4.3 (25966) /System/Library/Frameworks/Security.framework/Versions/A/Security
0x913ec000 - 0x913f5fff com.apple.DiskArbitration 2.1 /System/Library/Frameworks/DiskArbitration.framework/Versions/A/DiskArbitration
0x913fc000 - 0x91423fff com.apple.SystemConfiguration 1.8.2 /System/Library/Frameworks/SystemConfiguration.framework/Versions/A/SystemConfi guration
0x91436000 - 0x91441fff libgcc_s.1.dylib /usr/lib/libgcc_s.1.dylib
0x91446000 - 0x91467fff libmx.A.dylib /usr/lib/libmx.A.dylib
0x9146d000 - 0x91475fff libbsm.dylib /usr/lib/libbsm.dylib
0x91479000 - 0x914f4fff com.apple.audio.CoreAudio 3.0.3 /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreAudio.framework/Versions/A/CoreAudio
0x91531000 - 0x91531fff com.apple.ApplicationServices 10.4 (???) /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Application Services
0x91533000 - 0x9156bfff com.apple.AE 1.5 (297) /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/ AE.framework/Versions/A/AE
0x91586000 - 0x91653fff com.apple.ColorSync 4.4.4 /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/ ColorSync.framework/Versions/A/ColorSync
0x916a8000 - 0x91739fff com.apple.print.framework.PrintCore 4.5 (177.10) /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/ PrintCore.framework/Versions/A/PrintCore
0x91780000 - 0x91837fff com.apple.QD 3.8.19 (???) /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/ QD.framework/Versions/A/QD
0x91874000 - 0x918d2fff com.apple.HIServices 1.5.1 (???) /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/ HIServices.framework/Versions/A/HIServices
0x91900000 - 0x91924fff com.apple.LangAnalysis 1.6.1 /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/ LangAnalysis.framework/Versions/A/LangAnalysis
0x91938000 - 0x9195dfff com.apple.FindByContent 1.5 /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/ FindByContent.framework/Versions/A/FindByContent
0x91970000 - 0x919b2fff com.apple.LaunchServices 168.10 /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/ LaunchServices.framework/Versions/A/LaunchServices
0x919ce000 - 0x919e2fff com.apple.speech.synthesis.framework 3.3 /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/ SpeechSynthesis.framework/Versions/A/SpeechSynthesis
0x919f0000 - 0x91a2ffff com.apple.ImageIO.framework 1.4.6 /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/ ImageIO.framework/Versions/A/ImageIO
0x91a45000 - 0x91b0dfff libcrypto.0.9.7.dylib /usr/lib/libcrypto.0.9.7.dylib
0x91b5b000 - 0x91b70fff libcups.2.dylib /usr/lib/libcups.2.dylib
0x91b75000 - 0x91b92fff libJPEG.dylib /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/ ImageIO.framework/Versions/A/Resources/libJPEG.dylib
0x91b97000 - 0x91c06fff libJP2.dylib /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/ ImageIO.framework/Versions/A/Resources/libJP2.dylib
0x91c1d000 - 0x91c21fff libGIF.dylib /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/ ImageIO.framework/Versions/A/Resources/libGIF.dylib
0x91c23000 - 0x91c6afff libRaw.dylib /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/ ImageIO.framework/Versions/A/Resources/libRaw.dylib
0x91c6f000 - 0x91cacfff libTIFF.dylib /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/ ImageIO.framework/Versions/A/Resources/libTIFF.dylib
0x91cb3000 - 0x91cccfff libPng.dylib /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/ ImageIO.framework/Versions/A/Resources/libPng.dylib
0x91cd1000 - 0x91cd4fff libRadiance.dylib /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/ ImageIO.framework/Versions/A/Resources/libRadiance.dylib
0x91cd6000 - 0x91cd6fff com.apple.Accelerate 1.2.1 (Accelerate 1.2.1) /System/Library/Frameworks/Accelerate.framework/Versions/A/Accelerate
0x91cd8000 - 0x91db8fff com.apple.vImage 2.3 /System/Library/Frameworks/Accelerate.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/vImage.fr amework/Versions/A/vImage
0x91dc0000 - 0x91ddffff com.apple.Accelerate.vecLib 3.2.1 (vecLib 3.2.1) /System/Library/Frameworks/Accelerate.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/vecLib.fr amework/Versions/A/vecLib
0x91e4b000 - 0x91eb9fff libvMisc.dylib /System/Library/Frameworks/Accelerate.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/vecLib.fr amework/Versions/A/libvMisc.dylib
0x91ec4000 - 0x91f58fff libvDSP.dylib /System/Library/Frameworks/Accelerate.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/vecLib.fr amework/Versions/A/libvDSP.dylib
0x91f72000 - 0x924fafff libBLAS.dylib /System/Library/Frameworks/Accelerate.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/vecLib.fr amework/Versions/A/libBLAS.dylib
0x9252d000 - 0x92858fff libLAPACK.dylib /System/Library/Frameworks/Accelerate.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/vecLib.fr amework/Versions/A/libLAPACK.dylib
0x92888000 - 0x92910fff com.apple.DesktopServices 1.3.3 /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/DesktopServicesPriv.framework/Versions/A/Desk topServicesPriv
0x92951000 - 0x92b7cfff com.apple.Foundation 6.4.5 (567.26) /System/Library/Frameworks/Foundation.framework/Versions/C/Foundation
0x92c9a000 - 0x92d78fff libxml2.2.dylib /usr/lib/libxml2.2.dylib
0x92d98000 - 0x92e86fff libiconv.2.dylib /usr/lib/libiconv.2.dylib
0x92e98000 - 0x92eb6fff libGL.dylib /System/Library/Frameworks/OpenGL.framework/Versions/A/Libraries/libGL.dylib
0x92ec1000 - 0x92f1bfff libGLU.dylib /System/Library/Frameworks/OpenGL.framework/Versions/A/Libraries/libGLU.dylib
0x92f67000 - 0x92f77fff com.apple.speech.recognition.framework 3.4 /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/SpeechRecogni tion.framework/Versions/A/SpeechRecognition
0x931d1000 - 0x931eefff com.apple.audio.SoundManager 3.9 /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/CarbonSound.f ramework/Versions/A/CarbonSound
0x93216000 - 0x93523fff com.apple.HIToolbox 1.4.6 (???) /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/HIToolbox.fra mework/Versions/A/HIToolbox
0x93672000 - 0x9367efff com.apple.opengl 1.4.7 /System/Library/Frameworks/OpenGL.framework/Versions/A/OpenGL
0x936bb000 - 0x936ebfff com.apple.MediaKit 8.6.1 (345.1.7) /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/MediaKit.framework/Versions/A/MediaKit
0x93717000 - 0x93717fff com.apple.Cocoa 6.4 (???) /System/Library/Frameworks/Cocoa.framework/Versions/A/Cocoa
0x93719000 - 0x93d4cfff com.apple.AppKit 6.4.4 (824.33) /System/Library/Frameworks/AppKit.framework/Versions/C/AppKit
0x940d9000 - 0x94149fff com.apple.CoreData 80 /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreData.framework/Versions/A/CoreData
0x94182000 - 0x9424cfff com.apple.audio.toolbox.AudioToolbox 1.4.1 /System/Library/Frameworks/AudioToolbox.framework/Versions/A/AudioToolbox
0x942a0000 - 0x942a0fff com.apple.audio.units.AudioUnit 1.4 /System/Library/Frameworks/AudioUnit.framework/Versions/A/AudioUnit
0x942a2000 - 0x94456fff com.apple.QuartzCore 1.4.7 /System/Library/Frameworks/QuartzCore.framework/Versions/A/QuartzCore
0x944a9000 - 0x944e6fff libsqlite3.0.dylib /usr/lib/libsqlite3.0.dylib
0x944ee000 - 0x9453efff libGLImage.dylib /System/Library/Frameworks/OpenGL.framework/Versions/A/Libraries/libGLImage.dyl ib
0x94b6e000 - 0x94b9dfff libssl.0.9.7.dylib /usr/lib/libssl.0.9.7.dylib
0x94fc5000 - 0x95048fff com.apple.DiscRecordingEngine 3.1.2 /System/Library/Frameworks/DiscRecording.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/DiscRe cordingEngine.framework/Versions/A/DiscRecordingEngine
0x95279000 - 0x95284fff com.apple.framework.SPSupport 4.1.1 (85) /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/SPSupport.framework/Versions/A/SPSupport
0x9528a000 - 0x952a9fff com.apple.DiskManagement 1.9 (92.18) /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/DiskManagement.framework/Versions/A/DiskManag ement
0x952b9000 - 0x952e1fff libcurl.3.dylib /usr/lib/libcurl.3.dylib

PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

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Answer 4

Dr. Smoke

Level 9

56,586 points

Apr 14, 2006 12:28 AM in response to David Martin9

Hi, David.

1. Unfortunately, the crash log isn't particularly helpful in this case. What I find interesting is the umlaut in the Console message, i.e. ...SPDocument clëss.... Are you running English as the primary language?

2. The System Profiler app itself could be corrupted. You could try the following:

2.1. First, As a general checkup, I suggest you run the procedure outlined in my "Resolving Disk, Permission, and Cache Corruption" FAQ. Perform the steps therein in the order specified.

I'm not necessarily hopeful this will resolve the System Profiler problem, but I'm more concerned about seeing if other problems turn up, particularly in Steps 1 and 2 of the process. If Steps 1 or 2 identify problems that cannot be corrected, let me know before proceeding further.

2.2. If no issues are found in step 2.1 and the problem with System Profiler persists, you could:
2.2.1. Try reinstalling System Profiler from your Mac OS X Tiger DVD (or Software Restore and Install discs is your Mac came with Tiger installed) using the shareware application Pacifist. Pacifist has excellent usage instructions, so you should have no problems with it.

2.2.2. Download and reapply the Mac OS X 10.4.6 Combo Update to pick up changes to System Profiler since it was released on the disc you reinstalled it from in step 2.2.1.

Good luck!

😉 Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X

---
Note: The information provided in the link(s) above is freely available. However, because I own The X Lab™, a commercial Web site to which some of these links point, the Apple Discussions Terms of Use require I include the following disclosure statement with this post:

I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.

Reply

Answer 5

Apr 14, 2006 9:48 AM in response to Dr. Smoke

The apple hardware test reports a memory error:

**ERROR*CODE***ERROR*CODE**
2MEM/1/4:SODIMM1/J23REVERSED

I guess it's time to call Apple.

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Answer 6

Apr 14, 2006 10:20 AM in response to David Martin9

I guess it's time to call Apple.

You are right. If the AHT report the message properly, it is a test error on the RAM.

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Answer 7

May 14, 2006 10:11 AM in response to David Martin9

The problem was bad memory that had been slowly corrupting the system. This strikes me as a major failure of the OS. Shouldn't the OS do a constant end-to-end test of memory for errors? Seems like it would solve lots of problems, even if the memory has ECC.

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