G.Madigan

Q: Screensaver suddenly stopped accessing ANY photos in any folder.

I have a Mac mini w/ OS X 10.11.4, the latest El Capitan as of this writing.

 

It just displays “Loading Photos…” “Source:” drop-down menu shows the same thing, no folders listed including original photos with OS X upgrade. It doesn’t even try to make a list, just “Loading…”

I’ve noticed this has been a problem experienced by many people since Mavericks, all with no solution.

 

My actions trying to resolve this issue (Spoiler alert, none worked):

1.  Made a folder with 2 photos. Tried in various locations, including Library > Screen Savers.

2.  Deleted all library > preferences .pref files concerning

  •   Desktop
  •   screensaver
  •   iPhoto
  •   Aperture


3.  Deleted all library > preferences > ByHost .pref files concerning

  •   Desktop
  •   screensaver
  •   iPhoto
  •   Aperture

 

4.  Tried reloading ScreenSaver App, but you cannot mess with anything on your Mac if it has anything to do with OS X.

It wouldn't have made a difference anyway, Screensaver app works fine in a different new user account.

 

5.  Copied all screensaver files from Preferences and ByHost folders in the other user account, put them in the Shared folder, replaced the files into their appropriate locations in my account.

 

I checked Activity Monitor for a clue. iCloud was running! What?

I’ve had problems in the past with iCloud hogging all CPU and internet speed, especially  with photos I didn’t want there.

I closed all iCloud connections when it was first introduced. To my surprise, ALL iCloud files (Contacts, bookmarks, etc.) were on automatically! How long has THAT been going on?

 

6.  Hoping Screensaver was just trying to download a thousand photos that don’t exist over the internet, I closed all aspects of iCloud down again. Once again, scared by Apple, warning (threatening) me the files will be erased from my Mac (worst warning ever and given no options to save, add or append the files onto the Mac.

 

Screensaver still isn’t working.

I'm open to suggestions.

 

I usually don’t mind an occasional glitch, but they are becoming more numerous and impossible to fix. (My Facetime/Messaging STILL doesn’t work at all - Apple claims it is a problem in their server because they required numerous account names over time, even after calling their tech line and making yet another account. They called back once to say they are working on it, but there wasn't any sound of reassurance (or caring) in his voice. The latest OS X update stated it fixed a Facetime login problem. For me, it didn’t.

 

My Mac OS X looks like it is slowly decaying; popular features and functions dying that cannot be resurrected, like a cancer. I have yet to see Apple techs care, just once, about an ongoing issue by thousands of people.

 

It’s not a matter of if, but when will something else will be irreparably inoperable on my Mac again... and Apple will ignore it.

Keynote, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Apr 19, 2016 4:59 AM

Close

Q: Screensaver suddenly stopped accessing ANY photos in any folder.

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by alex_h1,

    alex_h1 alex_h1 Apr 20, 2016 11:41 AM in response to G.Madigan
    Community Specialists
    Apr 20, 2016 11:41 AM in response to G.Madigan

    Hello G.Madigan,

    Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.

     

    I understand you're unable to select folders when trying to change your screensaver.  To get started please see if this issue persists in safe mode:

     

    1. Choose Apple menu > Shut Down.

    2. After your Mac shuts down, wait 10 seconds, then press the power button.

    3. Immediately after you hear the startup tone, hold down the Shift key.

       

      You should press the Shift key as soon as possible after you hear the startup tone, but not before.

    4. Release the Shift key when you see the gray Apple logo and progress indicator.

    To leave safe mode, restart your Mac again, but don’t hold down any keys during startup.

    OS X Yosemite: Start up in safe mode

     

    If it does, then try it in a new user:

     

    How to test with another user account

    You can figure out if unexpected behavior is related to user file or setting by trying to reproduce the issue from another user account. This process includes creating a new user account, logging in to it, and testing for the issue.

    Create a test user account

    1. From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences.
    2. Click the Users & Groups icon in the System Preferences window.
    3. Click the lock icon, then enter an administrator name and password.
    4. Click the Add button (+) below the list of users.
    5. Choose a type of user from the New Account pop-up menu.
    6. Give the user a full name, account name, and password.
    7. Click OK.
    8. Close the System Preferences window.

    If there are documents from your original user account that you want to test with, place a copy of these items in the Shared folder in the Users folder. Press the Option key while dragging a file to this folder to create a copy.

    Log in to the test user account

    Log out of your current user account by choosing Log Out from the Apple menu, then log in to the new account you created. If you're prompted to sign in with your iCloud account or Apple ID when you log in, skip this step.

    Try reproducing the issue

    Try the same steps that caused the unexpected behavior to appear before. For example, if you were unable to print, try printing from this user account. If you were unable to connect to the Internet, try browsing a website from this user account.

    If you were using any specific settings that testing depends on (such as using a specific email account or iCloud account) set up the same account in the test user. For email and most other settings you can use the Internet Accounts pane in System Preferences to set up these kinds of accounts. If files from your home folder are needed for testing, copy them to Shared folder in the Users folder (/Users/Shared). After logging in as the test user, copy these items to the same location in the test user's home folder to test with.

    If an issue happens in only one user account

    If performing the same steps in a test user account doesn't result in the same unexpected behavior, you most likely don't need to reinstall any apps or OS X.

    • If an issue only happens in one app, check the app's documentation or support website for instructions on troubleshooting specific preference or setting files.
    • If you need help with a specific alert message or issue, search the Apple Support website for the text of the alert message you're seeing.

    If an issue happens in more than one user account

    If the same unexpected behavior happens in more than one user account on your Mac, try checking for software or hardware issues.

    How to test an issue in another user account on your Mac

     

    Take care.

  • by G.Madigan,

    G.Madigan G.Madigan Apr 20, 2016 1:44 PM in response to alex_h1
    Level 1 (13 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 20, 2016 1:44 PM in response to alex_h1

    It all started when I tried to select a new folder of images. "loading Photos..." froze.

    But the Arabesque and Flurry work fine. All of my photos and their folders are fine.

     

    Performed full Onyx maintenance including repairing permissions.

    Just recently replace PRAM battery.

     

    Tried Safe Mode - no difference.

    Tried another user account (as noted above) - works fine in that account. Made me aware it wasn't the app itself.

    Copied over its pref files - no difference..

    Tried rebuilding apps and files that were remotely related via Time Machine - no difference.

    Turned off iCloud (have no idea why it was on - no one I know likes it - had to rebuild my lost/destroyed contacts and bookmarks - much less happy) - no difference.

     

    ———-—-

    Been a Mac tech since Performa days.

    One of the first to hold in-store classes.

    One of the first to be a resident in-house "Creative" before they existed.

    Only one that could advise on legacy Macs.

    Only B.S.E.E.T working in an Apple store in the state.

    (all within 6 months)

    I was "let go" for being "argumentative" just for rationally questioning why she promoted new high school employees over me and fired all of the gays (3) in the store (she was not shy about her "family values"). Refuse to allow me to transfer to a new store closer to my home (was driving 90 minutes each way just to have a job at Apple - 4 hours one night in winter).

    This was before any one knew who Mr. Cook was and the Illinois laws against this discrimination. I thought Apple was one of the first LGBT friendly companies. Ignored by Apple HR. Now, black-balled from the only job I loved and excelled in. Tried applying again, had 4 great interviews with regional managers, one from 2 states over. But, at the last minute, my old manager stopped me from being hired again (I had no idea she moved to the new store I was applying for).

    —————-

     

    By I digress, sorry. Just tired of wrestling with each new update.

    I've done everything I could think of to fix this, just short of completely reinstalling OS X. Been there done that once before. It's a huge amount of time. Last time, I lost files.

     

    FaceTime/Messages still doesn't work (Apple tech blamed server for AppleID account issues - never called back), so I'm getting very tired of all of these unfixable issues. Complete loss of functionality falling off my Mac like rotten Apples.

     

    This is just one more thing to make me shake my head. It's become more like MS where I'm spending more time trying to fix the computer than I am actually doing my work. It's so poorly functioning now, I can't be proud to demo OS X to friends.

     

    The calls from people to fix their Macs are skyrocketing with me. More and more I just have to throw up my hands. I spend a whole day tring to fix it, but won't get paid if I can't fix it. I can't get any help from anyone. I'm losing money.

     

    As you can tell, I've been beaten up pretty well by Apple. And I'm still here. Go figure. If you think it's really worth my effort to try again for a job, I'm unemployed. It's a WalMart greeter next.

     

    So, prefs and "by host" prefs not the problem, app not the problem, image folders not a problem. Mac's own images not loading. Screensaver sticks when trying to find images. Go for it, what's next? Any ideas?  From the forums, I know I'm not the only one. This exact issue goes back to Mavericks.

     

    If no new ideas, I'm done fighting this issue. I'm tired. Too poor to keep fighting losing battles chasing ghosts and not getting paid.