Mac help

[fatal]

I like to figure trivial things out using the Mac Help since its all new to me. Oftentimes when I do try to open it, it will open and then disappear after 1 second. And it'll do that again even after I shut down or restart.

Is there something wrong with my computer?

[gonz]

Originally posted by fatal
I like to figure trivial things out using the Mac Help since its all new to me. Oftentimes when I do try to open it, it will open and then disappear after 1 second. And it'll do that again even after I shut down or restart.

Is there something wrong with my computer?

Try this:

Navigate to Users > Library > Preferences.

Locate the files

com.apple.help.plist
com.apple.helpui.plist

Trash them, log out, then log back in. Make sure that you are connected to the net. Now try launching Help. The problem should be resolved. Let me know if the problem persists.

Good luck!

[fatal]

Originally posted by gonz

com.apple.help.plist
com.apple.helpui.plist

Trash them, log out, then log back in. Make sure that you are connected to the net. Now try launching Help. The problem should be resolved. Let me know if the problem persists.

Good luck!

Thanks again. Help works fine. what are those files anyway? why do they interfere with the functioning of the computer?

[gonz]

Originally posted by fatal
Thanks again. Help works fine. what are those files anyway? why do they interfere with the functioning of the computer?

Those are preferences files. Every application on a Mac creates a preferences file for itself the first time it runs, and updates preferences when you customize settings within the app. Sometimes, the prefs files can become corrupted, causing the app to malfunction. You can feel free to throw out any application's preferences file if you notice it behaving strangely. In fact, "trashing prefs" has been a standard Mac troubleshooting procedure since the first Mac.

[naughtynikka]

hi! would anyone know how to change icons on a mac? there are some icons (like the music, pictures and movies folders, desktop, and the rest of the stuff in "home&quot that i can't customize. also, is there a way of changing the home, favorites, applications, etc. icons? thanks!

[S13]

Originally posted by naughtynikka
hi! would anyone know how to change icons on a mac? there are some icons (like the music, pictures and movies folders, desktop, and the rest of the stuff in "home&quot that i can't customize. also, is there a way of changing the home, favorites, applications, etc. icons? thanks!

hi naughtynikka (are you really naughty?),

i think CandyBar is what you're looking for. that's what i use to change my system icons. give it a try.

[Arel]

Same here, S13! Since I've already downloaded & used all the CandyBar iContainers available on the site, being an interface junkie, I've been itching for some new designs.

[fatal]

[/quote]
Those are preferences files. Every application on a Mac creates a preferences file for itself the first time it runs, and updates preferences when you customize settings within the app. Sometimes, the prefs files can become corrupted, causing the app to malfunction. You can feel free to throw out any application's preferences file if you notice it behaving strangely. In fact, "trashing prefs" has been a standard Mac troubleshooting procedure since the first Mac. [/quote]

How can I find all the preferences files that may be corrupted and should be trashed? Is there a word or file type I can put in Search?

[gonz]

[quote]Originally posted by fatal

How can I find all the preferences files that may be corrupted and should be trashed? Is there a word or file type I can put in Search?

All of the preferences files associated with your user account may be found in the location I mentioned earlier: Your Home folder > Library > Preferences. You can essentially delete all of your preferences files, and the apps in question will simply create new ones. However, generally we don't throw out prefs files needlessly, unless the app with which it is associated has started behaving strangely.

Also -- if you throw out the prefs file and and the app is still behaving strangely, then the prefs file was not the source of the problem. Must be something else. This is why Mac troubleshooting (in fact, computer troubleshooting in general) is lot like detective work or scientific experimentation: you develop a theory to explain the problem, test the theory, and if it doesn't work you develop another theory until you find the solution.