GordonSals
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: when when changing a background on my Mac Air, my screen freezes

I just got a new MB air on Friday (8/30) and did the migration from the old MB air but when I want to change the packground... but the system preferance screen freezes and the wheel just spins and spins...I have to force quit it. What is going on? I have had 3 Mac laptops and two desktops and have never see that happy before... it an i7 with 8 gigs... it shouldn't be doing that.

MacBook Pro, MacBook is only 1 years old

Posted on Sep 1, 2013 5:27 AM

by Linc Davis,Solvedanswer
Linc Davis Linc Davis
Level 10 (208,037 points)
Applications
A:

First follow the instructions in this support article.

If the iPhoto library is the source of your desktop pictures, it may need to be rebuilt, or you may need to update the iPhoto application to the latest version.

Otherwise, continue as below.

Back up all data.

   

In the Finder, hold down the option key and select

  

Go ▹ Library

  

from the menu bar. From the Library folder, delete the following item, if it exists: 

 

  • Caches/com.apple.systempreferences

 

and move the following item to the Desktop:

 

  • Preferences/com.apple.desktop.plist

 

Launch System Preferences and test. If you still have the issue, put the item on the Desktop back where it came from and post again. Otherwise, delete the item.

Posted on Sep 1, 2013 7:45 AM

Close
GordonSals

Q: when when changing a background on my Mac Air, my screen freezes

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Sep 1, 2013 6:23 AM in response to GordonSals
    Level 9 (52,793 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 1, 2013 6:23 AM in response to GordonSals

    Your MBA is under warranty.  Bring it in to have it fixed.  If you are within the 14 day from purchase period, you have the option of having it replaced.

     

    Ciao.

  • by Linc Davis,Solvedanswer

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Sep 1, 2013 7:45 AM in response to GordonSals
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    Sep 1, 2013 7:45 AM in response to GordonSals

    First follow the instructions in this support article.

    If the iPhoto library is the source of your desktop pictures, it may need to be rebuilt, or you may need to update the iPhoto application to the latest version.

    Otherwise, continue as below.

    Back up all data.

       

    In the Finder, hold down the option key and select

      

    Go ▹ Library

      

    from the menu bar. From the Library folder, delete the following item, if it exists: 

     

    • Caches/com.apple.systempreferences

     

    and move the following item to the Desktop:

     

    • Preferences/com.apple.desktop.plist

     

    Launch System Preferences and test. If you still have the issue, put the item on the Desktop back where it came from and post again. Otherwise, delete the item.

  • by GordonSals,

    GordonSals GordonSals Sep 1, 2013 8:05 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 1, 2013 8:05 AM in response to Linc Davis

    Thank you! Thank you!

  • by sammyanthat,

    sammyanthat sammyanthat Oct 7, 2013 10:04 AM in response to GordonSals
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 7, 2013 10:04 AM in response to GordonSals

    What if I do not have either of those files? I have searched them both in the library and the hard drive of my computer.

  • by Aditya Yadav,

    Aditya Yadav Aditya Yadav Oct 9, 2013 9:22 PM in response to GordonSals
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Oct 9, 2013 9:22 PM in response to GordonSals

    Follow these steps.

     

    Close down System Preferences before following these steps.

     

    • Go to > Pictures
    • Locate & Move iPhoto Library.photolibrary to the Desktop.
    • Open System Preferences > Voila!
    • Close System Preferences.
    • Put iPhoto Library.photolibrary back into Pictures.

     

    Worked for me.