Henryoops
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: my son caused a disaster in my iMac's desktop: how can I come back to the original one?

my son has been playing with my iMac (2004) and now the desktop is full of "smart" folders, alias, and others... I don't know how to proceed to return it to its original stage.... How can I return the iMac to its original (factory) settings??? Thanks!!!

iMac, Mac OS X (10.4)

Posted on Oct 18, 2015 2:25 PM

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Henryoops

Q: my son caused a disaster in my iMac's desktop: how can I come back to the original one?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by rkaufmann87,Helpful

    rkaufmann87 rkaufmann87 Oct 18, 2015 2:59 PM in response to Henryoops
    Level 9 (58,956 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Oct 18, 2015 2:59 PM in response to Henryoops

    If your Mac is really a 2004 model then it's not an Intel based iMac. That being the case, please re-post in the iMac (PPC) forum.

     

    Good luck.

  • by Henryoops,

    Henryoops Henryoops Oct 18, 2015 2:59 PM in response to rkaufmann87
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 18, 2015 2:59 PM in response to rkaufmann87

    thanks a lot

  • by K Shaffer,Helpful

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Oct 19, 2015 3:10 PM in response to Henryoops
    Level 6 (14,582 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 19, 2015 3:10 PM in response to Henryoops

    If you have the correct OS X install-restore DVD media for the present version OS X,

    that could be used to install a new system folder, an 'archive & install' where the old

    system folder would remain, inactive, for picking through before disposal. This may

    be an extreme; however once the Finder and desktop issue is resolved, you need to

    consider making a clone or copy of the system on external hard drive; a firewire based

    unit with appropriate chip set for OS X booting, is advised. See macsales.com for those.

     

    • Try safe mode if your Mac doesn't finish starting up - Apple Support

     

    You may be able to simply re-start in Safe Boot and see about moving all of those

    collected items into trash or if they are locked, the user account would be needed

    before they'd be allowed removal from the Finder. SafeBoot may help fix some files

    and then a normal restart may be performed. You can safeboot to troubleshoot.

     

    To boot from the install DVD and run Disk Utility to repair permissions & repair disk

    may be helpful, depending on what symptoms of troubles you find in the Mac.

     

    If the computer still is running Tiger OS X 10.4.(.11) and you have the install DVDs

    the process should be fairly easy. And if the computer has a clone OS X copy already

    made in advance, on external FW HDD, the issue would be very simple to resolve.

    Certain utilities such as superduper, or carbon copy cloner, for vintage OSX can help.

     

    Some general OS X helpful FAQs:

    http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/faqs.html

     

    For older pre Intel based macs, some information is no longer available in Support

    online; as those obsoleted products and their systems aren't supported.

     

    And if the computer Finder (desktop) had been used to collect many folders, files

    icons, images and other stuff, that would slow the computer down significantly in

    time. To be in a habit of placing like-items in folders, to keep them in order, is best.

     

    {An 'alias folder' icon could then be placed on the desktop, to draw on a hidden

    original folder in hard disk drive; it need not be in any specific user folder to work.

    However user ownership of files & folders can limit who could have access...}

     

    In any event...

    Good luck & happy computing!