Can't open apps

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Can't open apps

I have problem to opening applications on Mountain Lion but the problem I had also on Lion. Applications that not belong to Apple ( except safari, quicktime, itunes...) can not be started as soon as I restart the computer but I have to wait at least half an hour. I went to genius bar several times but they never saw a problem like this and they upgraded my os to mountain lion but after a couple of weeks the problem started again. This happened after they changed my motherboard because of the problem of black screen circa one year ago but I don't know if it's related to this problem or not. Is there someone that had this problem before?

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.1)

Posted on Feb 18, 2013 6:05 PM

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Answer 1

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macjack

Level 10

111,168 points

Feb 18, 2013 7:22 PM in response to lasonicca

Are you saying that you experience the problem launching Safari, QT and Tunes?

What happens in a fresh user account or your Guest user, do they launch properly?

Also let us know how much RAM you have and how much free space on your HDD.

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Answer 2

lasonicca Author

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Feb 19, 2013 2:46 AM in response to macjack

No, no, i'm having problem with other apps like skype, autocad, movist, firefox etc. with all of them. I have no problem with launching safari, QT and iTunes and the other apps (iphoto, calendar...). It's the same with a fresh user account because I have formatted recently and I did a fresh installation of mountain lion but nothing changed.

I have 4 GB 1067 MHz DDR3 RAM and 86 GB free space on my HDD. Thanks for your interest.

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Answer 3

macjack

Level 10

111,168 points

Feb 19, 2013 5:52 AM in response to lasonicca

lasonicca wrote:

It's the same with a fresh user account because I have formatted recently and I did a fresh installation of mountain lion but nothing changed.

Did you migrate anything when you did the fresh install?

If you migrated, you probably migrated the issues.

Try starting in Safe Mode and see if the problem still occurs.

Restart holding the "shift" key.

(Expect it to take longer to start this way because it runs a directory check first.)

If this works look in System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login items and delete any third party login items (-), you can always add them back with the (+). Also look in /Library/Startup Items. Nothing is put in that folder by default, so anything in there is yours.

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Answer 4

lasonicca Author

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Feb 19, 2013 11:33 AM in response to macjack

I don't know if I migrated something but when I tried to start safe mode (admin account and guest, both tried) I couldn't do nothing because it freezes completely in both modes.

I also deleted all of third party login items and now works fine, so I 'don't know what happened in safe mode but then all of the problem was because of login items? I hope it's not coincidence and thank you for all your help!

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Answer 5

macjack

Level 10

111,168 points

Feb 19, 2013 12:12 PM in response to lasonicca

I'd call it a hardware problem but since it's only those third party apps...

Have you checked to be sure thatthey are all compatible and updated to the latest versions?

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Answer 6

lasonicca Author

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Feb 19, 2013 1:21 PM in response to macjack

Really, a hardware problem? Is there a way that I can prove that because my applecare will be expired in may and the only time that I don't have this issue is when I'm going to genius bar... Yes, all apps are updated to the latest versions but it's ok, at least all apps are running.

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Answer 7

Eric Root

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684,057 points

Feb 19, 2013 1:59 PM in response to lasonicca

This test isn't fool proof. It can miss things.

Apple Hardware Test

Memory Test

Memory Test (2)

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Answer 8

macjack

Level 10

111,168 points

Feb 19, 2013 3:51 PM in response to lasonicca

lasonicca wrote:

I also deleted all of third party login items and now works fine, so I 'don't know what happened in safe mode but then all of the problem was because of login items? I hope it's not coincidence and thank you for all your help!

Yes, third party login items are the likely suspect. But what troubles me is your inability to start in Safe Mode.

The tests that Eric recommended are good. In addition Drive Geniushas some hardware tests you can run in demo mode.

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Answer 9

lasonicca Author

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Feb 19, 2013 4:34 PM in response to macjack

Ok, here's the situation: I couldn't run the hardware test because said me that my computer is not abilitated to run that. Safe mode still not working. And the issue is not related to third party apps, when i just restarted the computer i do not have login items anymore but the applications are not working.. So I can't run also Drive Genius, I downloaded that but it's an app so is not working also that..

Thanks both of you for trying to help me but after this point it not seems a simple issue to me and all of this started after the change of motherboard, maybe the problem is there, i don't know how to prove that but i'll find a way, i hope.

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Answer 10

Eric Root

Level 10

684,057 points

Feb 20, 2013 10:14 AM in response to lasonicca

Try some basic maintenance.

Disk Utility

Disk Utility Repair Permissions You Can Safely Ignore

Reset NVRAM/PRAM

Reset SMC

General Maintenance Recommendations

If none of this works, I'd head back to the Genius Bar.

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Answer 11

lasonicca Author

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Feb 23, 2013 4:35 PM in response to Eric Root

yes, i already was tried repair and verify disk from disk utility and wasn't find any problem. now it's running normally but i think it's a coincidence, now i don't shut down and asap i'll go to genius bar because safe is still not working..

thank you again for your help!

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