folders icons keep changing size

Question

folders icons keep changing size

I am using Maverick on a 27" I-Mac

Operating system 10.9.4

I set my folder icon for a particular size.

Example the documents folder is set at 84 x 84.

After working on the computer for a little while the folder reverts back to 32 x 32.

This happens in a lot of folders, and others are fine.

Even the main desktop window when you open the "Macintosh HD" window it does this too.

I have it set at 224 x 224, and it reverts back to 32 x 32.

It is extremely annoying because I have a 27" I-Mac and I can't see the folders properly.

Please help anyone.

I call Apple technical support, and they could not offer an answer.

It went to the engineering department, and had no answer either.

Thank you.

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9.3)

Posted on Jul 21, 2014 9:44 AM

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Answer 1

rkaufmann87

Level 10

140,376 points

Jul 21, 2014 10:08 AM in response to markstockbroker

If you are having difficulty seeing the folder size, why not change the display resoltuion or turn on the zoom function in Mavericks?

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Answer 2

Old Toad

Level 10

207,367 points

Jul 21, 2014 11:40 AM in response to markstockbroker

Go into your Home/Library/Preferences folder and move the com.apple.finder.plist file to the Desktop. Reboot, reset the icon and window sizes and check to see if they remain set.

NOTE: In Lion, Mountain Lion and Mavericks the Home/Library folder is now invisible. To make it permanently visible enter the following in the Terminal application window: chflags nohidden ~/Library and press the Return key - 10.7: Un-hide the User Library folder.

For Mavericks, 10.9, go to your Home folder and use the View ➙ Show View Options menu to bring the this window:

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Answer 3

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Jul 21, 2014 1:21 PM in response to markstockbroker

Problems such as yours are sometimes caused by files that should belong to you but are locked or have wrong permissions. This procedure will check for such files. It makes no changes and therefore is not, in itself, a solution.

First, empty the Trash, if possible.

Triple-click anywhere in the line below on this page to select it, then copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C:

find ~ $TMPDIR.. $ -flags +sappnd,schg,uappnd,uchg -o ! -user $UID -o ! -perm -600 $ 2>&- | wc -l | pbcopy

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 by pressing command-V. The command may take a noticeable amount of time to run. Wait for a new line ending in a dollar sign ($) to appear.

The output of the command will be a number. It's automatically copied to the Clipboard. Please paste it into a reply.

The Terminal window doesn't show the output. Please don't copy anything from there.

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Answer 4

Jul 23, 2014 8:00 AM in response to rkaufmann87

This is not a good solution.

I should not go thru this.

It is Apple's responsibility to fix this problem.

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Answer 5

Jul 23, 2014 8:01 AM in response to Old Toad

I also tried this solution with the Apple technician.

It did not work.

Thanks anyways.

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Answer 6

Jul 23, 2014 8:04 AM in response to Linc Davis

Again, tried this with an Apple technician (level 2).

It took a long time to finish the procedure, and it still did not correct the problem.

This problem was escalated to the engineering department.

They said it was a bug in the operating system.

It has been nearly a year, and they have not fixed it.

This is the last time I give Apple Computer my loyalty when buying anything from them!

They know the problem, and won't fix it.

Thank you.

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Answer 7

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Jul 23, 2014 8:05 AM in response to markstockbroker

Good luck with Windows.

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Answer 8

rkaufmann87

Level 10

140,376 points

Jul 23, 2014 10:40 AM in response to markstockbroker

Yes, you and Windows's 8 are meant for one another.

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Answer 9

Old Toad

Level 10

207,367 points

Jul 23, 2014 1:30 PM in response to markstockbroker

1 - Boot into Safe Mode, Mac OS X: Starting up in Safe Mode, and test to see if the problem remains or if it's gone. The reboot normally and test again.

2 - If the above fails to help boot into the Recovery volume (boot with the Command + R keys held down) and reinstall the system.

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Answer 10

Jul 23, 2014 4:15 PM in response to Old Toad

Thank you.

I will try this option to see if it will fix my problem.

I appreciate the help.

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Answer 11

Jul 25, 2014 12:57 PM in response to markstockbroker

I tried booting to safe mode, and experienced the same problem.

I am going to take the time reinstalling the system software to see if this fixes the problem.

• My Question: Is this an individual problem that I am experiencing, or is this happening to other people (bug in the system)?

Thanks

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Answer 12

Old Toad

Level 10

207,367 points

Jul 25, 2014 4:30 PM in response to markstockbroker

This is the first I've heard of it.

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Answer 13

Jul 28, 2014 4:53 PM in response to Old Toad

I reinstalled the Apple system software.

I then used Time Machine to restore my documents and programs.

It was a very long process, and in the end the problem continues.

I don't know what is causing this, but I contacted technical support again, and they said other people are experiencing this problem too.

They won't say if Apple will fix this problem.

Very disappointed in them.

The basic icon folder interface is having this problem.

Shame on Apple for not fixing the problem.

I guess I am out of options in solving this problem.

It will be up to Apple to step up, and be responsible for fixing it.

If you have any more advice it would be appreciated, but I think I am out of options.

Thanks for all your help.

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Answer 14

Grigio67

Level 1

0 points

Mar 4, 2015 6:41 AM in response to markstockbroker

It happens to me too. I've got a new MacBook pro and the folder icons generally stay on my new setting when I put it to sleep. But if I shut down and reboot all my folder icons revert back to default size.

It's very annoying.

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