Yo i'm running Mac OSX 10.3.9 on a G3 233mhz with 286Mb Ram. For some reason, some apps won't run while others do it perfect. When i open an app, it appears in the dock for a sec and the dissappears right away. It's really frustrating. I found out that it's not the size of the app or something. I'm having this problem with Skype, Amule, Software Upgrade and some other apps.
Apps won't start
- Thread starter Bluesman
- Start date
ElDiabloConCaca
U.S.D.A. Prime
Yo have you tried repairing permissions and repairing the disk using Disk Utility? Also, you can try creating a new user account and see if the applications behave normally under the new user account -- if they do, that would narrow the problem down to something specific to your original user account (as opposed to a system-wide problem).
'Yo' Adrian! ... sorry, I just had to do that 
01. Launch 'Disk Utility' ('/Applications/Utilities/' folder), click on the boot drive (left side list), the 'First Aid' tab, then the 'Repair Disk Permissions' button. You may want to repeat this at least twice.
Try launching the mentioned problematic applications. Did the above action solve your problem? If not, continue to 02.
02. Boot from the current MacOS X'es installation CD / DVD, from the 'Installer' (or equivalent) menu - select the 'Open Disk Utility...' (or equivalent) menu item. Within 'Disk Utility' - click on the boot drive (left side list), the 'First Aid' tab, then the 'Repair Disk' button. You may want to repeat this at least twice. Then click the 'Repair Disk Permissions' button. You may want to repeat this at least twice. Quit 'Disk Utility', Quit 'Installer', and reboot to the Mac's internal hard disk drive.
Try launching the mentioned problematic applications. Did the above actions solve your problem? Please reply with your results.
01. Launch 'Disk Utility' ('/Applications/Utilities/' folder), click on the boot drive (left side list), the 'First Aid' tab, then the 'Repair Disk Permissions' button. You may want to repeat this at least twice.
Try launching the mentioned problematic applications. Did the above action solve your problem? If not, continue to 02.
02. Boot from the current MacOS X'es installation CD / DVD, from the 'Installer' (or equivalent) menu - select the 'Open Disk Utility...' (or equivalent) menu item. Within 'Disk Utility' - click on the boot drive (left side list), the 'First Aid' tab, then the 'Repair Disk' button. You may want to repeat this at least twice. Then click the 'Repair Disk Permissions' button. You may want to repeat this at least twice. Quit 'Disk Utility', Quit 'Installer', and reboot to the Mac's internal hard disk drive.
Try launching the mentioned problematic applications. Did the above actions solve your problem? Please reply with your results.
Ok. What you should try now is deleting your cache, and program preference files. Lets start with Skype.
delete the contents of:
~/Library/Cache
backup the file below to a different location, then delete it.
~/Library/Preferences/any reference to Scype.plist
The ~ sign means start in your home directory.
try running the program as a different user. (create a new user in system preferences>accounts if you don't have a spare account lying round.)
There are also preference files in mac hdd/Library/Peferences that you might try backing up and removing...
Let me know how you go
delete the contents of:
~/Library/Cache
backup the file below to a different location, then delete it.
~/Library/Preferences/any reference to Scype.plist
The ~ sign means start in your home directory.
try running the program as a different user. (create a new user in system preferences>accounts if you don't have a spare account lying round.)
There are also preference files in mac hdd/Library/Peferences that you might try backing up and removing...
Let me know how you go
Thanks again.
I am still trying to get used to the Mac way of doing things after 15 years of a
PC. I think that needs a brain which is more awake than mine at the moment.
I have already tried the new user approach, that did not work either.
A job for tomorrow, but I will post back how I get on. Thanks again.
I am still trying to get used to the Mac way of doing things after 15 years of a
PC. I think that needs a brain which is more awake than mine at the moment.
I have already tried the new user approach, that did not work either.
A job for tomorrow, but I will post back how I get on. Thanks again.
Hi Kensman,
Sorry aboaut the delay in posting back. Tonight was the first chance to look at the problem again. And I fell at the first hurdle, so forgive my ignorance.
OK, the Library has a caches folder with 34 items in it including a sub folder com-apple.ATS, is that what I delete
There is no library/preferences file that I can see so I don't know what to do there either.
I have deleted any reference I can find to Skype in the Spotlight window, then re-installed the program. That received the same message "The program quit unexpectedly"
So basically, I am no further forward. But I have just learned how to restart with the installation disk
Sorry aboaut the delay in posting back. Tonight was the first chance to look at the problem again. And I fell at the first hurdle, so forgive my ignorance.
OK, the Library has a caches folder with 34 items in it including a sub folder com-apple.ATS, is that what I delete
There is no library/preferences file that I can see so I don't know what to do there either.
I have deleted any reference I can find to Skype in the Spotlight window, then re-installed the program. That received the same message "The program quit unexpectedly"
So basically, I am no further forward. But I have just learned how to restart with the installation disk
My apologies I think my instructions were a little lacking in regards to verboseness. Here they are again with some more explanation:
1. delete the contents of:
Mac hard drive/Users/[Your user name here]/Library/Cache
...it is OK to delete the whole contents of this folder, as it just stores things so they can be opened/used a bit more quickly. all the contents will be automatically recreated over time.
2. Go to this folder
Mac hard drive/Users/[Your user name here]/Library/Preferences/
Look for any reference to Scype. look in the filenames of all the files there. It will probably end in ".plist", but may not. (these are all your personal preference files, and can sometimes become corrupt. they also get recreated when you delete or change their name, but you'll loose some preferences each time you do this, so don't go deleting willy-nilly).
3.If you find a likely suspect, try renaming it by adding a few characters at the end of the filename (like "suspect-file.plist.OLD"), then try re-logging in.
If all the above doesn't work, try doing step 3 with the file "loginwindow.plist". If stuff stops working after you do this, simply rename your old loginwindow.plist file back (i.e. remove the ".OLD" at the end).
The ~ sign means start in your home directory.
4. try running the program as a different user. (create a new user in system preferences>accounts if you don't have a spare account lying round.)
5. There are also preference files in mac hdd/Library/Peferences that you might try backing up and removing, like the above.
try the above 5 steps carefully! don't forget to log in and out inbetween them. good luck!
keep me posted.
1. delete the contents of:
Mac hard drive/Users/[Your user name here]/Library/Cache
...it is OK to delete the whole contents of this folder, as it just stores things so they can be opened/used a bit more quickly. all the contents will be automatically recreated over time.
2. Go to this folder
Mac hard drive/Users/[Your user name here]/Library/Preferences/
Look for any reference to Scype. look in the filenames of all the files there. It will probably end in ".plist", but may not. (these are all your personal preference files, and can sometimes become corrupt. they also get recreated when you delete or change their name, but you'll loose some preferences each time you do this, so don't go deleting willy-nilly).
3.If you find a likely suspect, try renaming it by adding a few characters at the end of the filename (like "suspect-file.plist.OLD"), then try re-logging in.
If all the above doesn't work, try doing step 3 with the file "loginwindow.plist". If stuff stops working after you do this, simply rename your old loginwindow.plist file back (i.e. remove the ".OLD" at the end).
The ~ sign means start in your home directory.
4. try running the program as a different user. (create a new user in system preferences>accounts if you don't have a spare account lying round.)
5. There are also preference files in mac hdd/Library/Peferences that you might try backing up and removing, like the above.
try the above 5 steps carefully! don't forget to log in and out inbetween them. good luck!
keep me posted.
Hi all,
Reporting back with an update. I've cracked why Skype would not work but do not understand the reason. If anyone can elighten me I would be grateful.
I decided on a complete reinstall. I installed Skype as the first application. It worked fine. I use Mailwasher Pro as my mail filter but when I install it the window is off the screen and I cannot move it. So I install Application Enhancer and Window Dragon which allows you to grab the window and drag it so you can do something with it. I installed a couple more apps, tried Skype again and it quit unexpectedly.
By a process of elimination I dedided apps are simply dropped into the application folder so unlike windows, there is nothing similar to a registry or system folder to corrupt. That narrowed it down to something which affects the system. Primary suspect Application Enhancer. So I add Skype to the master exception list and it works again. As I have said before I am new to Macs and do not understand how they work yet. All explanations as to what is happening would be appreciated.
Maybe this will solve other peoples problems as well.
Thanks to you all for the time and advice
Reporting back with an update. I've cracked why Skype would not work but do not understand the reason. If anyone can elighten me I would be grateful.
I decided on a complete reinstall. I installed Skype as the first application. It worked fine. I use Mailwasher Pro as my mail filter but when I install it the window is off the screen and I cannot move it. So I install Application Enhancer and Window Dragon which allows you to grab the window and drag it so you can do something with it. I installed a couple more apps, tried Skype again and it quit unexpectedly.
By a process of elimination I dedided apps are simply dropped into the application folder so unlike windows, there is nothing similar to a registry or system folder to corrupt. That narrowed it down to something which affects the system. Primary suspect Application Enhancer. So I add Skype to the master exception list and it works again. As I have said before I am new to Macs and do not understand how they work yet. All explanations as to what is happening would be appreciated.
Maybe this will solve other peoples problems as well.
Thanks to you all for the time and advice
Well, the most simple explanation is that Application Enhancer (APE) is a known enemy of the state and should be avoided at all times if possible. Whatever they say (things like "It's Apple's fault, really..." and "It's the application's developer's fault, really..."), many problems don't appear until APE is active. Therefore, I avoid APE totally - and have far less problems than those who actively use it for some or other reason.
I say: WhenEVER you think you need to install a utility or hack that requires APE, look for a solution which *doesn't* use APE until you find one. If you don't find one, forget about the utility in the first place.
Harsh, but helpful.
I say: WhenEVER you think you need to install a utility or hack that requires APE, look for a solution which *doesn't* use APE until you find one. If you don't find one, forget about the utility in the first place.
Harsh, but helpful.