jbrown33
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: can't access system preferences at all, the window is always frozen

yesterday I tried changing my desktop background, and the whole desktop and screen saver window started not responding. Then I force quit the application, and tried opening the system preferences through the apple icon on the top left, which is when i realized that this is pretty serious, considering i cant access anything in the system preferences menu at all

 

 

i have 10.7.5. & i just updated it today

 

 

help

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Sep 6, 2013 3:18 PM

by Linc Davis,Solvedanswer
Linc Davis Linc Davis
Level 10 (207,926 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 â–¹ 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 6, 2013 8:47 PM

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jbrown33

Q: can't access system preferences at all, the window is always frozen

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  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Sep 6, 2013 4:26 PM in response to jbrown33
    Level 10 (207,926 points)
    Applications
    Sep 6, 2013 4:26 PM in response to jbrown33

    Launch the Console application in any of the following ways:

     

    ☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)

     

    ☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.

     

    ☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Console in the icon grid.

     

    Make sure the title of the Console window is All Messages. If it isn't, select All Messages from the SYSTEM LOG QUERIES menu on the left. If you don't see that menu, select

    View â–¹ Show Log List

    from the menu bar.

     

    Click the Clear Display icon in the toolbar. Then try the action that you're having trouble with again. Select any messages that appear in the Console window. Copy them to the Clipboard (command-C). Paste into a reply to this message (command-V).

    When posting a log extract, be selective. In most cases, a few dozen lines are more than enough.

    Please do not indiscriminately dump thousands of lines from the log into this discussion.

    Important: Some private information, such as your name, may appear in the log. Anonymize before posting.

  • by jbrown33,

    jbrown33 jbrown33 Sep 6, 2013 5:52 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 6, 2013 5:52 PM in response to Linc Davis

    9/3/13 10:20:02.759 PM iTunes: _AMDDeviceAttachedCallbackv3 (thread 0x114cb1000): Device 'AMDevice 0x7ff836049770 {UDID = f0a3ade084b98fb9eb1e0076c7f1eadbc3d79a59, device ID = 1636, FullServiceName = 10:40:f3:45:e1:19@fe80::1240:f3ff:fe45:e119._apple-mobdev._tcp.local.}' attached.

    9/3/13 10:20:58.608 PM iMovie: -[ProjectPlaceHolder addEnclosedMovie:]: unrecognized selector sent to instance 0x9c0a140

    9/3/13 10:20:58.608 PM iMovie: Caught exception -[ProjectPlaceHolder addEnclosedMovie:]: unrecognized selector sent to instance 0x9c0a140 in -[ILiMoviePlugin _reloadiMovieProjects:]

    9/3/13 10:21:10.331 PM iMovie: -[ProjectPlaceHolder addEnclosedMovie:]: unrecognized selector sent to instance 0xafe0760

    9/3/13 10:21:10.331 PM iMovie: Caught exception -[ProjectPlaceHolder addEnclosedMovie:]: unrecognized selector sent to instance 0xafe0760 in -[ILiMoviePlugin _reloadiMovieProjects:]

    9/3/13 10:21:48.912 PM iMovie: -[ProjectPlaceHolder addEnclosedMovie:]: unrecognized selector sent to instance 0xadea9f0

    9/3/13 10:21:48.913 PM iMovie: Caught exception -[ProjectPlaceHolder addEnclosedMovie:]: unrecognized selector sent to instance 0xadea9f0 in -[ILiMoviePlugin _reloadiMovieProjects:]

    9/3/13 10:22:01.207 PM com.apple.usbmuxd: _SendDetachNotification (thread 0x7fff76e07960): sending detach for device 10:40:f3:45:e1:19@fe80::1240:f3ff:fe45:e119._apple-mobdev._tcp.local.: _BrowseReplyReceivedCallback got bonjour removal.

    9/3/13 10:22:01.207 PM iTunes: _AMDDeviceDetached (thread 0x114cb1000): Device 'AMDevice 0x7ff836049770 {UDID = f0a3ade084b98fb9eb1e0076c7f1eadbc3d79a59, device ID = 1636, FullServiceName = 10:40:f3:45:e1:19@fe80::1240:f3ff:fe45:e119._apple-mobdev._tcp.local.}' detached.

  • by jbrown33,

    jbrown33 jbrown33 Sep 6, 2013 5:55 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 6, 2013 5:55 PM in response to Linc Davis

    I did it a second time and these came up & are more recent.

     

     

     

    9/6/13 8:08:31.592 PM powerd: PM scheduled RTC wake event: MaintenanceImmediate inDelta=7175.00

    9/6/13 8:08:31.592 PM powerd: Clients requested wake events: [pid=48 request=Maintenance inDelta=7175.003235]

    9/6/13 8:08:36.841 PM configd: DHCP en0: INIT-REBOOT transmit failed

    9/6/13 8:08:36.841 PM configd: LINKLOCAL en0: parent has no IP

    9/6/13 8:08:36.841 PM configd: DHCP en0: ARP detect ROUTER failed, arp_client_transmit(en0) failed, Network is down (50)

    9/6/13 8:08:36.848 PM configd: network configuration changed.

    9/6/13 8:08:36.850 PM applepushserviced: <APSCourier: 0x7fb568e04220>: Stream error occurred for <APSTCPStream: 0x7fb568e159d0>: The operation couldn’t be completed. Socket is not connected

    9/6/13 8:08:36.855 PM applepushserviced: <APSCourier: 0x7fb568e04220>: Stream error occurred for <APSTCPStream: 0x7fb568e159d0>: The operation couldn’t be completed. (kCFErrorDomainCFNetwork error 2.)

    9/6/13 8:45:53.210 PM hidd: MultitouchHID: device bootloaded

    9/6/13 8:45:53.000 PM kernel: Wake reason: EHC2

    9/6/13 8:45:53.000 PM kernel: Previous Sleep Cause: 5

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Sep 6, 2013 6:17 PM in response to jbrown33
    Level 10 (207,926 points)
    Applications
    Sep 6, 2013 6:17 PM in response to jbrown33

    The first log extract you posted is from three days ago, so you couldn't have been following the instructions. The second extract spans about 15 minutes, so I'm not sure whether you followed the instructions then either. I'm asking only for log messages that appear immediately when you try to open System Preferences.

  • by jbrown33,

    jbrown33 jbrown33 Sep 6, 2013 6:33 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 6, 2013 6:33 PM in response to Linc Davis

    9/6/13 8:59:38.000 PM kernel: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

    9/6/13 8:59:41.000 PM kernel: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

    9/6/13 9:00:00.571 PM iTunes: _NotificationSocketReadCallbackGCD (thread 0x7fff78389960): Unexpected connection closure...

    9/6/13 9:00:00.572 PM ath: _NotificationSocketReadCallbackGCD (thread 0x7fff78389960): Unexpected connection closure...

    9/6/13 9:04:44.847 PM iTunes: _NotificationSocketReadCallbackGCD (thread 0x7fff78389960): Unexpected connection closure...

    9/6/13 9:04:44.847 PM ath: _NotificationSocketReadCallbackGCD (thread 0x7fff78389960): Unexpected connection closure...

    9/6/13 9:05:26.380 PM PluginProcess: AVF warning: gaps in frame number 8:10, ref:0, slice:1, allowed:0, num_ref_frames:3, 0...

    9/6/13 9:07:02.454 PM PluginProcess: AVF warning: addNewReferenceEntry_MMCO mmcoFunc1 not found requested 12, curr = 15

    9/6/13 9:07:02.454 PM PluginProcess: AVF warning: addNewReferenceEntry_MMCO mmcoFunc1 not found requested 13, curr = 15

    9/6/13 9:07:02.454 PM PluginProcess: AVF warning: addNewReferenceEntry_MMCO force release 8

    9/6/13 9:07:41.000 PM kernel: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

    9/6/13 9:22:48.715 PM iTunes: _NotificationSocketReadCallbackGCD (thread 0x7fff78389960): Unexpected connection closure...

    9/6/13 9:22:48.716 PM ath: _NotificationSocketReadCallbackGCD (thread 0x7fff78389960): Unexpected connection closure...

    9/6/13 9:23:45.000 PM kernel: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

    9/6/13 9:25:23.947 PM iTunes: _NotificationSocketReadCallbackGCD (thread 0x7fff78389960): Unexpected connection closure...

    9/6/13 9:25:23.948 PM ath: _NotificationSocketReadCallbackGCD (thread 0x7fff78389960): Unexpected connection closure...

    9/6/13 9:28:39.504 PM iTunes: _NotificationSocketReadCallbackGCD (thread 0x7fff78389960): Unexpected connection closure...

    9/6/13 9:28:39.504 PM ath: _NotificationSocketReadCallbackGCD (thread 0x7fff78389960): Unexpected connection closure...

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Sep 6, 2013 6:43 PM in response to jbrown33
    Level 10 (207,926 points)
    Applications
    Sep 6, 2013 6:43 PM in response to jbrown33

    Please read this whole message before doing anything.

     

    This procedure is a test, not a solution. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.

     

    Step 1

     

    The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account.

     

    Enable guest logins* and log in as Guest. Don't use the Safari-only “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac.”

     

    While logged in as Guest, you won’t have access to any of your personal files or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this; it’s normal. If you need any passwords or other personal data in order to complete the test, memorize, print, or write them down before you begin.

     

    Test while logged in as Guest. Same problem?

     

    After testing, log out of the guest account and, in your own account, disable it if you wish. Any files you created in the guest account will be deleted automatically when you log out of it.

     

    *Note: If you’ve activated “Find My Mac” or FileVault, then you can’t enable the Guest account. The “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac” is not the same. Create a new account in which to test, and delete it, including its home folder, after testing.

     

    Step 2

     

    The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, or by corruption of certain system caches.

     

    Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. Note: If FileVault is enabled on some models, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.

     

    Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain iMacs.  The next normal boot may also be somewhat slow.

     

    The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.

     

    Test while in safe mode. Same problem?

     

    After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of steps 1 and 2.

  • by jbrown33,

    jbrown33 jbrown33 Sep 6, 2013 6:53 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 6, 2013 6:53 PM in response to Linc Davis

    I can't access system preferences at all to enable guest logins

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Sep 6, 2013 7:04 PM in response to jbrown33
    Level 10 (207,926 points)
    Applications
    Sep 6, 2013 7:04 PM in response to jbrown33

    OK, if you don't already have another account, skip that step for now.

  • by jbrown33,

    jbrown33 jbrown33 Sep 6, 2013 7:16 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 6, 2013 7:16 PM in response to Linc Davis

    9/6/13 10:12:24.392 PM applepushserviced: Unable to bootstrap_lookup connection port for 'com.apple.iCalPush': unknown error code

    9/6/13 10:12:24.494 PM com.apple.launchd.peruser.501: (com.apple.ReportCrash) Falling back to default Mach exception handler. Could not find: com.apple.ReportCrash.Self

    9/6/13 10:12:24.497 PM com.apple.launchctl.Aqua: load: option requires an argument -- D

    9/6/13 10:12:24.497 PM com.apple.launchctl.Aqua: usage: launchctl load [-wF] [-D <user|local|network|system|all>] paths...

    9/6/13 10:12:24.915 PM UserEventAgent: CaptiveNetworkSupport:CNSServerRegisterUserAgent:187 new user agent port: 36359

    9/6/13 10:12:26.461 PM mds: (Warning) Server: No stores registered for metascope "kMDQueryScopeComputerIndexed"

    9/6/13 10:12:26.465 PM com.apple.launchd.peruser.501: (com.apple.launchctl.Aqua[120]) Exited with code: 1

    9/6/13 10:12:31.463 PM com.apple.dock.extra: Could not connect the action buttonPressed: to target of class NSApplication

    9/6/13 10:12:31.463 PM com.apple.dock.extra: 2013-09-06 22:12:31.450 com.apple.dock.extra[148:1a07] Could not connect the action buttonPressed: to target of class NSApplication

    9/6/13 10:12:31.464 PM com.apple.dock.extra: Could not connect the action buttonPressed: to target of class NSApplication

    9/6/13 10:12:31.464 PM com.apple.dock.extra: 2013-09-06 22:12:31.463 com.apple.dock.extra[148:1a07] Could not connect the action buttonPressed: to target of class NSApplication

    9/6/13 10:12:31.465 PM com.apple.dock.extra: Could not connect the action buttonPressed: to target of class NSApplication

    9/6/13 10:12:31.465 PM com.apple.dock.extra: 2013-09-06 22:12:31.464 com.apple.dock.extra[148:1a07] Could not connect the action buttonPressed: to target of class NSApplication

    9/6/13 10:12:31.466 PM com.apple.dock.extra: Could not connect the action buttonPressed: to target of class NSApplication

    9/6/13 10:12:31.466 PM com.apple.dock.extra: 2013-09-06 22:12:31.465 com.apple.dock.extra[148:1a07] Could not connect the action buttonPressed: to target of class NSApplication

    9/6/13 10:12:31.611 PM com.apple.launchd.peruser.501: (com.apple.mrt.uiagent[132]) Exited with code: 255

    9/6/13 10:12:45.861 PM mds: (Warning) Server: No stores registered for metascope "kMDQueryScopeComputer"

    9/6/13 10:13:30.876 PM mds: (Warning) Server: No stores registered for metascope "kMDQueryScopeComputer"

    9/6/13 10:13:33.856 PM com.apple.launchd: (com.apple.xprotectupdater[14]) Exited with code: 255

  • by jbrown33,

    jbrown33 jbrown33 Sep 6, 2013 7:22 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 6, 2013 7:22 PM in response to Linc Davis

    and this is from the second reboot, the normal one.

    the other post was from the safe mode

     

     

    9/6/13 10:19:21.015 PM com.apple.launchctl.Aqua: usage: launchctl load [-wF] [-D <user|local|network|system|all>] paths...

    9/6/13 10:19:21.669 PM com.apple.launchd.peruser.501: (com.apple.launchctl.Aqua[127]) Exited with code: 1

    9/6/13 10:19:21.715 PM UserEventAgent: CaptiveNetworkSupport:CNSServerRegisterUserAgent:187 new user agent port: 32263

    9/6/13 10:19:25.749 PM com.apple.usbmuxd: _heartbeat_failed heartbeat detected detach for device 0x1-192.168.1.2:0!

    9/6/13 10:19:28.012 PM com.apple.dock.extra: Could not connect the action buttonPressed: to target of class NSApplication

    9/6/13 10:19:28.012 PM com.apple.dock.extra: 2013-09-06 22:19:28.007 com.apple.dock.extra[147:1a07] Could not connect the action buttonPressed: to target of class NSApplication

    9/6/13 10:19:28.012 PM com.apple.dock.extra: Could not connect the action buttonPressed: to target of class NSApplication

    9/6/13 10:19:28.012 PM com.apple.dock.extra: 2013-09-06 22:19:28.011 com.apple.dock.extra[147:1a07] Could not connect the action buttonPressed: to target of class NSApplication

    9/6/13 10:19:28.013 PM com.apple.dock.extra: Could not connect the action buttonPressed: to target of class NSApplication

    9/6/13 10:19:28.013 PM com.apple.dock.extra: 2013-09-06 22:19:28.012 com.apple.dock.extra[147:1a07] Could not connect the action buttonPressed: to target of class NSApplication

    9/6/13 10:19:28.013 PM com.apple.dock.extra: Could not connect the action buttonPressed: to target of class NSApplication

    9/6/13 10:19:28.013 PM com.apple.dock.extra: 2013-09-06 22:19:28.013 com.apple.dock.extra[147:1a07] Could not connect the action buttonPressed: to target of class NSApplication

    9/6/13 10:19:33.966 PM com.apple.launchd.peruser.501: (com.apple.mrt.uiagent[153]) Exited with code: 255

    9/6/13 10:19:41.176 PM genatsdb: *GENATSDB* FontObjects generated = 324

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Sep 6, 2013 7:42 PM in response to jbrown33
    Level 10 (207,926 points)
    Applications
    Sep 6, 2013 7:42 PM in response to jbrown33

    Does that mean you couldn't open System Preferences while in safe mode? Please don't post any more log extracts unless requested.

  • by jbrown33,

    jbrown33 jbrown33 Sep 6, 2013 8:32 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 6, 2013 8:32 PM in response to Linc Davis

    No couldn't in safe or reg

  • by Linc Davis,Solvedanswer

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Sep 6, 2013 8:47 PM in response to jbrown33
    Level 10 (207,926 points)
    Applications
    Sep 6, 2013 8:47 PM in response to jbrown33

    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 â–¹ 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 micheal ando,

    micheal ando micheal ando Oct 28, 2013 6:31 AM in response to jbrown33
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 28, 2013 6:31 AM in response to jbrown33

    hi tried everything above with no results but downloaded the new os x maverick free from the mac app store and is now working hope was useful

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