Can't move any menu items - a fix?

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Level 4

2,474 points

Can't move any menu items - a fix?

This just started happening with my 2009 iMac which, otherwise, is working fine.

Dock items. folders, and files don't respond when I try to move them from one place to another. If I try to drag them. It's almost as if they're locked in place.

I'm the Admin, so I should be able to move and delete files and folders - and I have in the past. But relatively recently, they don't move.

I've performed several reboots and a permissions check, and verified that I'm the Admin. Any idea what's going on here? Thanks!

Posted on May 1, 2015 11:19 AM

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Answer 1

May 1, 2015 11:38 AM in response to poikkeus1

When you drag the item in the Dock, move it slightly up or down then try moving.

You might need to delete your plist file for the Dock.

com.apple.dock.plist

Log out under the Apple in the Menu bar.

Log in and setup Dock.

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Answer 2

poikkeus1 Author

Level 4

2,474 points

May 1, 2015 11:48 AM in response to dianeoforegon

That seems like it might work...except that I can't move or drag any folder or file icons, either. It's like they're locked in place.

(Or, conversely, is there a preference or preference that will lock all the folders and files in place? If I know how, I could reverse it.)

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Answer 3

May 2, 2015 4:11 PM in response to poikkeus1

I'm not aware of a way to lock Dock icons.

You can always test in a new User to see if you can move icons. Testing in a new User will quickly tell you if the problem is system wide or if it's your User's folder that contains the problem.

CREATE A NEW USER

Go to System Preferences --> Create a New User in Users & Groups. Switch to the New User by logging out/in or use Fast User Switching.

Do you still see the issue?

If yes, then the problem is with your base files.

If no, then the problem is in your User's folder.

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Answer 4

poikkeus1 Author

Level 4

2,474 points

May 1, 2015 12:32 PM in response to poikkeus1

Okay...it seems it's an issue with my base files, which make sense.

Then, how do I get things so that I can drag and drop items, change the dock, and so on? I keep thinking there must be a preference or command that will let me change things like this...like checking a box in System Preferences or ticking a box in Show View Options.

Is there a global preference to unlock my dock and folders? Another fix?

Thanks!

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Answer 5

May 2, 2015 4:11 PM in response to poikkeus1

Let's start with booting into the Recovery Drive..

Boot into the Recovery Drive by holding down Command R when restarting.

In the menu bar, select Utilities -> Terminal. Type resetpassword in the Terminal and press Enter.

1 Select your main hard drive.

2 In the dropdown box under "Select the user account" make sure to select your username.

3 Select the option: "Reset Home Directory Permissions and ACLs", click the Reset button. Wait until you see "Done".

4 Quit the Reset Password application.

5 Quit the Terminal.

In the main Recovery window, select Disk Utility.

Run Repair Disk and Repair Permissions.

Restart: Click Mac OS X Installer in the top left and click Quit Mac OS X Installer. Click the Startup Disk button. Click on your main hard drive and click the Restart button.

Does the problem go away?

If no, you might need to reinstall OS X to fix the problem, but we can try running the combo updater first if the above steps fail to fix.

OS X Yosemite 10.10.3 Combo Update

https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1804

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Answer 6

poikkeus1 Author

Level 4

2,474 points

May 2, 2015 4:10 PM in response to poikkeus1

Thanks for your help so far!

Since it's not my iMac, I opted for the most conservative approach with a proven record of success - to reinstall Mavericks to get a fresh system - the Command-R thing. I've done this a handful of times, with good results. It will take longer than your suggestion, but it's relatively risk free.

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Answer 7

May 2, 2015 4:38 PM in response to poikkeus1

You can download the Mavericks combo that might do the trick.

OS X Mavericks 10.9.5 Update (Combo)

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1760

BTW, you are posting in the Yosemite forum. I didn't know you were running Mavericks. However, the troubleshooting steps are the same. All safe steps to try.

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