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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Missing "choose Folder" In Os X Screensaver Prefs

jamesallen - Jul 15, 2005 - 12:01 pm

I'm having an issue with the built-in slideshow screensaver in OS X 10.3.9. I'd recently begun using it, selecting a particular custom folder with the "Choose Folder" option in the screensaver list in System Preferences. Today, however, I found that this option was completely missing from the list.

I haven't made any drastic changes or updates, so I have no idea why this occurred. I logged in as a different user, and the option was visible there, so I suspect some user-preference issue, but I checked again a few minutes ago and it is now gone from there as well. I hope you can help me out in getting it back.

--James Allen

earthsaver - Jul 15, 2005 - 12:26 pm

Are you sure you're looking in the right place? In my experience the only Choose Folder item is in the Desktop pane of Desktop & Screen Saver preferences; the Screen Saver pane has no such entry.

- Ben

jamesallen - Jul 15, 2005 - 12:37 pm

I believe so. Apple's Help entry on "Using your own pictures as a screen saver" even includes the instructions "3. Click Screen Saver and select Pictures Folder in the list. To use pictures in a different folder, click Choose Folder to select the folder where your pictures are stored."

earthsaver - Jul 15, 2005 - 1:28 pm

I take back what I said before and I have a new question. Do you get a regular screen saver icon or a generic folder icon for the Computer Name module? I have been having repeated troubles with OS X keeping track of this one and it has lead me to another suggestion.

- Ben

jamesallen - Jul 15, 2005 - 1:47 pm

It seems to be a generic folder icon, now, yes.

earthsaver - Jul 15, 2005 - 1:52 pm

Good. We have the same problem. That will make solving easy. Here's what you need to do.

- Close System Preferences
- In the Finder, navigate to /System/Library/Frameworks/ScreenSaver.framework/Resources
- Open Computer Name.saver
- System Preferences will open and confirm that you want to replace the screensaver of the same name. Agree to that and it will display Desktop & Screen Saver preferences and you will find Computer Name returned to a proper screen saver icon. You will also find the Choose Folder item back in its rightful place.

- Ben

jamesallen - Jul 15, 2005 - 2:21 pm

Worked like a charm. Thanks a ton. Do you know why this happened, by the way, or if there's something to be done to prevent it from happening again?

earthsaver - Jul 15, 2005 - 2:46 pm

I have no idea why it happens or how to prevent. However, I'm sending feedback to Apple, because it has spanned versions of OS X.

- Ben