How can I remove a Input device from my Mac?

Hello, I would like to know how I can remove a input device from the Sound area in System Preferences. I installed Wiretap Anywhere a sound input program for my Mac and did not realize It was not supported for Moutain Lion. I put the application in the trash and then emptied the trash can. Now whenever I try to start GarageBand or a program like that it crashes my computer. In the Input tab of Sound (System Preferences) It is listed as Wiretap: System Audio.

I would like to remove this from the Input tab so I can use my Mac reguarly. Any Ideas on how to fix it?


Thanks,


Justin

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Mar 12, 2013 6:29 PM

Reply
4 replies

Mar 12, 2013 8:44 PM in response to Justin Sulak

Any third-party software that doesn't install by drag-and-drop into the Applications folder, and uninstall by drag-and-drop to the Trash, is a system modification.

Whenever you remove system modifications, they must be removed completely, and the only way to do that is to use the uninstallation tool, if any, provided by the developers, or to follow their instructions. If the software has been incompletely removed, you may have to re-download or even reinstall it in order to finish the job.


Here are some general guidelines. Suppose you want to remove something called “BrickYourMac.” First, consult the product's Help menu, if there is one, for instructions. Finding none there, look on the developer's website, say www.brickyourmac.com. (That may not be the actual name of the site; if necessary, search the Web for the product name.) If you don’t find anything on the website or in your search, contact the developer. While you're waiting for a response, download BrickYourMac.dmg and open it. There may be an application in there such as “Uninstall BrickYourMac.” If not, open “BrickYourMac.pkg” and look for an Uninstall button.

You may have to log out or reboot in order to complete an uninstallation.

If you can’t remove software in any other way, you’ll have to erase your boot volume and perform a clean reinstallation of OS X. Never install any third-party software unless you're sure you know how to uninstall it; otherwise you may create problems that are very hard to solve.

Trying to remove complex system modifications by hunting for files by name often will not work and may make the problem worse. The same goes for "utilities" that purport to remove software.

Jul 31, 2013 6:30 PM in response to BigRobuk

I had the same problem myself. Here's what worked for me:


I made sure I had WireTap Anywhere (the problematic app for me) installed on the hard drive. If you try to launch the appication regularly, it will crash your system over and over (at least for me).


So, start up with the SHIFT key down (safe boot mode). Then, launch the application. It shouldn't crash this time and you can go up to the appropriate menu and select Uninstall. It will require a restart and you're good to go.

Hope this helps!

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How can I remove a Input device from my Mac?

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