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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Finder cannot launch!

cmack2187 - Jun 5, 2008 - 10:25 pm

Hello,

I have a Powerbook G4, 1.5 ghz that I bought about 3 years ago. I downloaded and opened a file and my finder immediately stopped working. At first, only my top "finder bar" disappeared (my clock, bluetooth, airport, and all the other drop down menus). I restarted my computer, and everything but my background was gone.

After some time, I figured out how to open my system preferences with hot keys (not sure exactly how). From there, I managed to open up safari, which resulted in my top bar appearing, but only with safari options. From there, I used the apple drop down and went to "force quit..." to where I saw that my finder is continuously trying to relaunch and open itself, but cannot.

Any ideas of how I can get my finder/computer back into shape? Is it a virus? Any recommendations? I can access the internet still so downloading a program to alleviate the problem is possible. Thanks for your help!

-Cormack Glass

CaribbeanOS-X - Jun 6, 2008 - 1:40 pm

Cmack2187:

Download yasu.

http://jimmitchell.org/projects/yasu/

This is a start to clean up your machine.

Shut down the machine (not restart) do this twice. Sometimes after it takes a few seconds longer for the first boot then the second boot is back to normal speed.

Can you let us know what type of file you opened? Video? Stream? A Fake Flash Plug-in?

Warmly,
CaribbeanOS-X

cmack2187 - Jun 6, 2008 - 5:06 pm

The file was an "mp3" (obviously not though). Once I download yasu, I cannot install it. My comp cannot find and open it (i've tried numerous ways), any other suggestions?

CaribbeanOS-X - Jun 6, 2008 - 5:50 pm

Cmack2187:

Can you find a way to run TERMINAL?

If so, open a terminal window and type:
osascript -e 'tell app "Finder" to quit'

(Copy and paste the above line into terminal)

You can then relaunch the Finder by clicking its icon in the Dock.

Alternatively:

Try to start up into Safe Mode (to "Safe Boot"), do this:

1. Be sure the computer is shut down.
2. Press the power button.
3. Immediately after you hear the startup tone, press and hold the Shift key.
Tip: The Shift key should be held as soon as possible after the startup tone but not before.
4. Release the Shift key when you see the gray Apple and progress indicator (looks like a spinning gear).

During the startup in Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you will see "Safe Boot" on the login window, which appears even if you normally log in automatically.

To leave Safe Mode in any version of Mac OS X, restart the computer normally, without holding any keys during startup.

See if you can access the finder this way and run Yasu and back up your personal info, photos, music, documents, movies etc...

If not... i would reinstall the OSX from your Original Install disk... you can choose to save your info or do a clean install.

If you chose to do a CLEAN INSTALL and safe boot is successful, back up all your important files onto a External Drive then run a clean install.

After 3 years... i would recommend this. I'm always backing up and if my system tends to lag a bit... i'll run a clean install with combo updates from apple. For example: I use a OSX 10.4.9 install disk then run the 10.4.11 combo install update from the apple.com. Along with other apps that allow perfect functionality of internet media! That'll be the next step once we resolve the present glitch!

I'm here for a bit... i'll keep tabs on your progress.

Warmly,

CaribbeanOS-X