flueler
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: desktop cannot be changed

My Computer ist working well, harddisk seems to be o.k., All other users have no problems

But my admin account makes problems, desktop cannnot be changed, It's not possible to create new folders.

Folders/Icons can't be moved to annother place, Files can be placed in folders but not extracted or placed on the desktop again.

What's wrong?

Rf

Imac, Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Posted on Feb 23, 2014 8:02 AM

by Linc Davis,Solvedanswer
Linc Davis Linc Davis
Level 10 (208,037 points)
Applications
A:
Take these steps if the cursor changes from an arrow to a white "prohibited" symbol when you try to move an icon on the Desktop.
   
Sometimes the problem may be solved just by logging out or rebooting. Try that first, if you haven't already done it. Otherwise, continue.
   

Select the icon of your home folder (a house) in the sidebar of a Finder window and open it. The Desktop folder is one of the subfolders. Select it and open the Info window. In the General section of the window, the Kind will be either Folder  or something else, such as Anything.

    
If the Kind is Folder, uncheck the box marked Locked. Close the Info window and test.
    
If the Kind is not Folder, make sure the Locked box is not checked and that you have Read & Write privileges in the  Sharing & Permissions section. Then close the Info window and do as follows.

 

Back up all data.

Triple-click anywhere in the line below on this page to select it:

xattr -d com.apple.FinderInfo Desktop
   

Copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C.

 

Launch the built-in Terminal 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 Terminal in the icon grid.

 

Paste into the Terminal window (command-V). You should get a new line ending in a dollar sign ($). Quit Terminal.
  
   
If the problem is now resolved, and if you use iPhoto, continue.
  
Quit iPhoto if it's running. Launch it while holding down the option key. It will prompt you to select a library. Choose the one you want to use (not the Desktop folder.)

Posted on Feb 23, 2014 9:37 AM

Close
flueler

Q: desktop cannot be changed

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by rkaufmann87,

    rkaufmann87 rkaufmann87 Feb 23, 2014 8:12 AM in response to flueler
    Level 9 (58,956 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Feb 23, 2014 8:12 AM in response to flueler

    Are you really running 10.5.5 as your profile indicates, if so run Software Update and update your computer to 10.5.8 which is the latest version of Leopard.

  • by flueler,

    flueler flueler Feb 23, 2014 8:51 AM in response to rkaufmann87
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 23, 2014 8:51 AM in response to rkaufmann87

    Actually, the computer that has the problem runs with lion 10.8.5

  • by rkaufmann87,Helpful

    rkaufmann87 rkaufmann87 Feb 23, 2014 9:20 AM in response to flueler
    Level 9 (58,956 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Feb 23, 2014 9:20 AM in response to flueler

    You can do some very basic things like running Repairing Disk Permissions 1-3 times, located in Disk Utility. You can also restart in Safe Mode which will clear some caches, you can do that by holding down the Shift key when you hear the startup tone until you see a progress bar appear. Also resetting the PRAM may help too. If it's an older computer the HD may also be in trouble and needs to be repaired and/or replaced. Of course before you do anything backup your computer using Time Machine and then verify your backup is working ok.

  • by Linc Davis,Solvedanswer

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Feb 23, 2014 9:37 AM in response to flueler
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    Feb 23, 2014 9:37 AM in response to flueler
    Take these steps if the cursor changes from an arrow to a white "prohibited" symbol when you try to move an icon on the Desktop.
       
    Sometimes the problem may be solved just by logging out or rebooting. Try that first, if you haven't already done it. Otherwise, continue.
       

    Select the icon of your home folder (a house) in the sidebar of a Finder window and open it. The Desktop folder is one of the subfolders. Select it and open the Info window. In the General section of the window, the Kind will be either Folder  or something else, such as Anything.

        
    If the Kind is Folder, uncheck the box marked Locked. Close the Info window and test.
        
    If the Kind is not Folder, make sure the Locked box is not checked and that you have Read & Write privileges in the  Sharing & Permissions section. Then close the Info window and do as follows.

     

    Back up all data.

    Triple-click anywhere in the line below on this page to select it:

    xattr -d com.apple.FinderInfo Desktop
       

    Copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C.

     

    Launch the built-in Terminal 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 Terminal in the icon grid.

     

    Paste into the Terminal window (command-V). You should get a new line ending in a dollar sign ($). Quit Terminal.
      
       
    If the problem is now resolved, and if you use iPhoto, continue.
      
    Quit iPhoto if it's running. Launch it while holding down the option key. It will prompt you to select a library. Choose the one you want to use (not the Desktop folder.)

  • by flueler,

    flueler flueler Mar 4, 2014 1:56 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 4, 2014 1:56 AM in response to Linc Davis

    Amazing! It worked well. Thanks a lot

    Rf