Can't force quit Finder

I can't Force Quit Finder. When I'm in the Force Quit Applications window the Finder is in red and in parenthesis it says, not responding, when I click on it the only option is to Relauch which I hit and nothing happens (The other programs I have open do have the option to force quit). The spinning wheel prevents me from reaching anything in the finder. Can't reach the Disk Utility and can't see any icons or harddrive on my desktop. The only things that work are the programs in the Dock and the options under the apple.

I ran the check for problems from the intall disk yeserday and it said there were no problems. When I re-stared the finder problem still existed.

Can you help? Pleaaaaseeeee!

Power Mac G5, Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Posted on May 3, 2006 9:43 AM

19 replies

May 6, 2006 5:19 PM in response to Eme

So I have tried all the suggestions plus trying to reach the com.apple.finder.plist through other venues and delete it. When trying to delete in text display mode the file is not found but I have found it while searching through other methods of fixing the problem so I know for sure it is there. The whole problem began when adobe suites was removed but not unitstallled, all files are gone but the program itself is not completley removed, so I think. I was wondering if I may have deleted something on accident when removing adobe creative suite.

Eme

Level 5

5,636 points

May 6, 2006 8:51 PM in response to Maria Kosanke

Hi Maria,

Is you finder still inaccessible , can you see your desktop, if you click on the finder/ screen holding down the mouse do you have a dialog box pop up ? I thought there was a relaunch dialog, i forget
though, I am on Tiger PB right now so I can not try it, it is not the same, as my ilamp with 10.3.9.

http://www.emba.uvm.edu/CF/basic.html#rm

So do you have Terminal in Startup items or in the Dock? Have you tried the unix command-this is from the link of previous post, see
link for more instruction though I would think it would work long as you have access to the terminal.

cd /Users/username/Library/Preferences

rm com.apple.finder.plist

I looked at adobe and tried to search uninstall Adobe Creative Suit but version ? all that would be easier if you can access them, i have found them to be sticklers with log in even for support, as most are. Uninstalling apps can be tricky, if they do not have an uninstaller, and just trash them. I wish I knew how you could check the adobe files without your finder. Maybe a command in the link posted & you are more learned then I.
Never know what trashing, takes with them. How are u posting here, on other puter w/ 10.3.9 ?
Gosh this is awfully frustrating, good job hanging in there !! Let us know where you are with this.
Sorry for your troubles with this finder issue. Good Luck again.
VBR
~Eme:~)

May 6, 2006 8:50 PM in response to Maria Kosanke

When was the last time you shut this mac down? If you turn the mac off and then start it up your finder problem may go away. Macs are good at healing them selves.

Ferd II

Level 10

104,871 points

May 7, 2006 10:34 PM in response to Maria Kosanke

Maria,

You said:

The whole problem began when adobe suites was removed but not unitstallled, all files are gone but the program itself is not completley removed, so I think. I was wondering if I may have deleted something on accident when removing adobe creative suite.

If you removed an unknown component of OS X, I would once again recommend an Archive and Install of Panther, followed by an update with the Mac OS X Combined Update 10.3.9.

;~)

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Can't force quit Finder