finder doesn't show folders

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Level 1

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finder doesn't show folders

Hi,

I have a macbook Air 13" bought in 2011, it has OS X 10.9 Mavericks installed and since yesterday the Finder doesn't work. When I open it it doesn't show any folder or document and it shows strange patterns (reminds me when my old Windows was crashing).

Attached you find some screenshots.

Important to note is that if I use spotlight I can find the files and open them. Also when I have to upload an image on the internet and I have to select it from the computer through the Finder (as for the screenshots attached), it works well. Furthermore, as you can see from the screenshots, on the upper side of the Finder I can see the files and I can somehow open them. If I change view of the finder, from preview to a list, then I can't see anything and also can not open the files.

I tried to restart the computer, switch it off and switch it on while pressing the Shift key but it's not working. Interestingly, when I force to quit the Finder app and I re-launch it, for the first 10 seconds it works, afterwards it stops working.

Do you have an idea what could be the problem?

Alex

iPad Air, OS X Mavericks (10.9.5)

Posted on Mar 15, 2016 9:16 AM

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Answer 1

a brody

Level 10

85,314 points

Mar 16, 2016 5:19 AM in response to alex892

Sadly have a hardware problem either with the RAM or graphics chip.

If your MacBook Air was bought after July 20, 2011, it likely has a built-in hardware test. You can find out by booting with the 'D' key.

If it doesn't you'll need the original installer discs/flash drive that came with it. If missing that, call AppleCare.

You may also be able to get a hardware test disc created with this link:

https://github.com/upekkha/AppleHardwareTest

If Apple Hardware Test reveals no issue, it is more likely the RAM is at issue than anything else*:

http://www.macmaps.com/badram.html

* Links to my pages may give me compensation.

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Answer 2

alex892 Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 16, 2016 5:19 AM in response to a brody

The test reveals no issue therefore it might be the RAM.

I will check now if I can replace it.

Thank you!

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Answer 3

Eric Root

Level 10

685,257 points

Apr 8, 2016 2:01 AM in response to alex892

You can try checking your RAM using the links below.

Memory Test

Memory Test (2)

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Answer 4

alex892 Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 8, 2016 2:07 AM in response to Eric Root

Sorry for my late reply Eric and thank you for your advices. I did the memory tests and no problem showed up. I'm going to reinstall the whole OS next week (when I have more time to do it) but yesterday I found out that the problem arises only when I'm connected to Internet. When I turn the wifi off and therefore are not connected to internet, then the finder works perfectly. I test it a couple of times and each time the finder was not working when I was connected, whereas it worked when I was not connected to internet.

I guess this shows that it is a software problem or maybe a virus/malware.

Any advice on what it could be?

Thank you very much

Alex

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Answer 5

Eric Root

Level 10

685,257 points

Apr 8, 2016 5:50 AM in response to alex892

You are welcome. I think it may be software rather than malware. You can try deleting the .plist. Sometimes that will help.

Might be a corrupt .plist.

Do a backup, preferably 2 backups on 2 separate drives.

Go to Finder and select your user/home folder. With that Finder window as the front window, either select Finder/View/Show View options or go command - J. When the View options opens, check ’Show Library Folder’. That should make your user library folder visible in your user/home folder. Select Library. Then go to Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist. Move the .plist to your desktop.

Re-launch Finder by restarting the computer and test. If it works okay, delete the plist from the desktop.

If the same, return the .plist to where you got it from, overwriting the newer one.

Thanks to leonie for some information contained in this.

Try running this program and then copy and paste the output in a reply. The program was created by Etresoft, a frequent contributor. Please use copy and paste as screen shots can be hard to read.

Etrecheck – System Information

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