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
