My Finder has disappeared . . .

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Level 1

11 points

My Finder has disappeared . . .

I'm on OS 10.11.6 (El Capitan). When I started up my computer today, I don't know what happened to my Finder, but it isn't bringing up any of the files on my desktop and I keep getting a popup window that says "Finder quit unexpectedly and no matter how many times I either click on the buttons "Ignore" or "Report," the window keeps showing up. ALL of the files and websites I had on my desktop are gone! I've restarted the computer several times in hopes that the Finder would show up and even it's been on for awhile, it keeps making the startup popping sounds, as if it is still indexing. Please! Can someone be so kind as to tell me how to restore the Finder on desktop? I'd hate to see all my files and websites lost. I'd be ever so grateful, thank you! 😟

iMac (27-inch Mid 2011), OS X El Capitan (10.11.1), null

Posted on Aug 18, 2016 1:54 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 18, 2016 2:02 PM in response to KDdid

"keeps making the startup popping sounds"

Run the Apple Hardware Test

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Answer 2

KDdid Author

Level 1

11 points

Aug 18, 2016 2:34 PM in response to Carolyn Samit

Carolyn Samit wrote:

"keeps making the startup popping sounds"

Run the Apple Hardware Test

Thanx, but I don't think this would apply to my computer, mainly because I installed the system with a download from the Apple app store and I don't want to take a chance in making the problem I'm having now, any graver than it is. It isn't the popping sound I'm concerned with. I'm concerned with the Finder, all my files and websites disappearing. Thanx again. -Ella

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Answer 3

Aug 18, 2016 2:38 PM in response to KDdid

The popping sound is why I suggested you try the hardware test. If this is a 2011 Mac as your profile suggests, it's possible it's a hardware issue. It might be the hard drive.

Otherwise take your Mac to an Apple Store > http://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/

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Answer 4

000FFF

Level 3

523 points

Aug 18, 2016 2:37 PM in response to KDdid

Restart into Safe Mode and see if the issue persists. Then restart as normal.

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

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Answer 5

Eric Root

Level 10

685,257 points

Aug 18, 2016 4:35 PM in response to KDdid

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 and com.apple.desktop.plist. Move the .plists to your desktop.

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

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

Thanks to leonie for some information contained in this.

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Answer 6

dialabrain

Level 10

136,127 points

Aug 18, 2016 4:59 PM in response to KDdid

FWIW, I agree with Carolyn. A Mac should not be making "startup popping sounds".

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Answer 7

KDdid Author

Level 1

11 points

Aug 19, 2016 12:40 AM in response to dialabrain

Thanx all. Reinstalling OS X.11.6 from the download, got my desktop and the Finder working again. -KD

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