Font Book won't install fonts

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Level 1

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Font Book won't install fonts

my font book was working just fine until a couple months ago. now it won't install new fonts that i download from font web sites (free fonts). i download onto my desktop, double click on the font file. sometimes font book opens it, and there is a button at the bottom that says "install." clicking on it will open up the larger window of font book, but it doesn't install the font. if i open font book and click 'add font,' and choose the file to install, nothing happens.

a tip i found online said to trash the font book prefs, which i did. nothing happened.

iBook G4, Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Posted on Nov 17, 2006 9:38 AM

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Answer 1

Nov 17, 2006 9:54 AM in response to ellenw

Try repairing permissions -Disk Utility- and then reinstall Font Book.
If you can upgrade your Mac OS first, since I use 10.4.8 I never have had problems at all.
Best wishes

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Answer 2

A A P L

Level 7

21,764 points

Nov 17, 2006 10:01 AM in response to ellenw

Goto Versiontracker.com and download "Linotype FontExplorer X"

Move your Font Book preferences from your (Library/Preferences) folder and then make an archive of Font Book (Control-click, create archive in the Finder)
Delete the original.

Now, install/launch FontExplorer X.

There is an option to clean font caches during install - do that and your Mac will reboot.
Launch FontExplorer X again.

Now, there is an option under the tools menu in FontExplorer X that sets your system font folders back to defaults - do that.

You should be good to go. FontExplorer X is free and an excellent font manager.

Post back if you have any questions - this was a quick attempt to get you back running.

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Answer 3

ellenw Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 17, 2006 10:46 AM in response to A A P L

Thanks for the info. I've installed FontExplorer. You said under Tools there is an option to set the system font folders back to defaults - is that the "refresh system fonts" option?
Looks like the fonts I've tried installing before are now actually in the FontExplorer - they just weren't appearing as options in Font Book.

thank you!

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Answer 4

A A P L

Level 7

21,764 points

Nov 17, 2006 10:55 AM in response to ellenw

Yes, sorry - I didn't have it on my current setup, so I didn't recall the exact name.
To me, Apple's Font Book is really lame, so I use and recommend FontExplorer X (or Suitcase, if you want to spend some money)

Glad it worked for you.

Scott

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Answer 5

Nov 17, 2006 11:04 AM in response to A A P L

Thank you AAPL,
Although Font Book has been good to me, I learned something about fonts today,

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Answer 6

A A P L

Level 7

21,764 points

Nov 17, 2006 11:14 AM in response to PanchoLopez

Well, since you're in the learning mood, go HERE for Kurt Lang's excellent Font FAQ.

Keep it handy - it's a great tool for the font problems we run into.

Scott

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