Expert Mac advice needed

[jemagirl (imported)]

My main Admin account seems to be corrupt. Several programs will not run when I am logged in under my main Admin account but they do run fine when I create a "Clean" account. I would just use the clean account but then I can not access my files.

[markle (imported)]

Hi jemagirl

Have set up my own and several others with 'standard' accounts for just the situation you are having. have nit needed to use it yet. I'd try deleting the preferences in your problem account for the app(s) and see if that works first before attempting to migrate to a different account.

For instance if you wanted to delete Safari's preferences delete both

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Safari.plist

and

-n /Users/b/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Safari.RSS.plist

That should 'reset' Safari to all default settings. Do delete preferences while the app is not running in the account that is active. Try doing it one app at a time as well.

As to migrating to a different account, an external drive is quite useful along with Migration assistant (in Utilities). I've not had to assist in such a repair (yet) and will be very interested in how this progresses. Phone is possible if you like (number in pvt. please).

the above was my own words. the following link has several speaking that i concur with on having read the page. Some expand on my thoughts and others cover turf i hadn't thought yet, lol, but all

http://forum.maccast.com/index.php?showtopic=15338

will check back here later, All my best, markle

[jemagirl (imported)]

Thank you Markle,

I tried deleting prefs for the affected softwares and it didn't help. I even reinstalled the software and that didn't help either. That was when I decided to try and create another user account and that did help. So it seems there is something in the Admin account that has gotten corrupted. It will even persist through a a fresh instal of the OS on my second HD if I select the option of transferring all the account data from the old HD. So it has to be an issue related to a file in the main admin account. It seems like my computer specifically hates me.

It looks like post 9 & 10 would be the most straightforward way to go.

[markle (imported)]

Thank you Markle,

I tried deleting prefs for the affected softwares and it didn't help. I even reinstalled the software and that didn't help either. That was when I decided to try and create another user account and that did help. So it seems there is something in the Admin account that has gotten corrupted. It will even persist through a a fresh instal of the OS on my second HD if I select the option of transferring all the account data from the old HD.So it has to be an issue related to a file in the main admin account. It seems like my computer specifically hates me.

re hate ... I dont think so ... still, it's a Mac

It looks like post 9 & 10 would be the most straightforward way to go.

Yes, 9 and 10 did clarify several points for me as well That fellow does seem quite the Mac guru ! He gave a good explanation on how/where/when prefs get loaded and -how- to make certain an accounts prefs can be deleted. You should be able to do as he suggests from the new account you created recently (see PS.) Do read his post carefully, as Terminal work ( especially "rm" can be devastating. The usual warnings apply about dragons and being warned!)

As a note, Mac users generally dont reinstall as often as some of our brethren. The corrupt files are in all liklyhood -all- contained in the ~/Library/Preferences folder. When the app works just fine in another Account, that is proven to be a Prefs issue in the wonky account.

my best,

markle

P.S. If all does go well, consider giving the new account admin stature and then resetting the original account standard abilities. Then, when needed (to install an app, for instance) use the admin account info. in that way, you're not using the account daily, surfing the net and the like w/ admin ability. that adds 'one more layer' of protection from "the bad guys." Hope this helps and makes sense.

[jemagirl (imported)]

P.S. If all does go well, consider giving the new account admin stature and then resetting the original account standard abilities. Then, when needed (to install an app, for instance) use the admin account info. in that way, you're not using the account daily, surfing the net and the like w/ admin ability. that adds 'one more layer' of protection from "the bad guys." Hope this helps and makes sense.

Do you mean making my current admin account a standard account, and then creating the new Admin account just for loading software? I wasn't aware I could do that.

[markle (imported)]

Do you mean making my current admin account a standard account, and then creating the new Admin account just for loading software? I wasn't aware I could do that.

yes. there are three accounts on my machine. one for personal, one for work, each as standard accounts. A third has admin abilities and has been left in near pristine default condition so any issue that comes up (in the other two) can be looked at there in an un-personalized environment. When in either of the two accounts that do not need admin ability the (short)name and password are all that are needed from the admin account to install or verify admin. Some will say I;m being paranoid in so doing, so be it, it works well for me and is a tinsy bit safer than the "usual" setup. hope all of this does help, which reminds me, did you begin in some way to transfer the documents folder to the new account? Again, my best, markle

[jemagirl (imported)]

Hi Markle,

My friend at Apple just gave me the same advice. He also gave me some terminal commands to type in Terminal to reach my files in the Admin account without resorting to using the shared folder which would be a huge bottleneck considering what that would actually involve.

In the instructions below replace the word admin with

the name of the admin account user.

In a terminal window type:

sudo -s admin

cd ~admin

chmod -R a+rwx *

I wouldn't recommend it for everyone, but in my case it's a blessing

[markle (imported)]

Hi Markle,

My friend at Apple just gave me the same advice. He also gave me some terminal commands to type in Terminal to reach my files in the Admin account without resorting to using the shared folder which would be a huge bottleneck considering what that would actually involve.

I wouldn't recommend it for everyone, but in my case it's a blessing

... good to know i and apple store folk are advising in similar ways, woot. Yes, that command(s) does appear quite the handy bit. am saving that for future ref. markle

[jemagirl (imported)]

... good to know i and apple store folk are advising in similar ways, woot. Yes, that command(s) does appear quite the handy bit. am saving that for future ref. markle

Actually my friend is an engineer at the main Apple campus in Cupertino.