Member Avatar for UKKati

My G5 imac (tiger) has withered away - or so it seems...!! All of a sudden this afternoon every icon diappeared off the desktop, so I can no longer get into my home folder or the Hard Drive and the finder is completely flipping out (well flashing actually). I can open applications via the dock, which is still visible, but can't do anything as the window flashes on and off all the time.
I cannot get into the finder at all. I have done all the reboots, extentions off, rebuild desktop and PRAM all to no avail. I am now reinstalling All worked backed up just losing lotsa personal stuff -
But has anybody come accross this before? What has happened and why??
It's quite scary. :-(
Thought I would mail from other machine while rebooting!
Any advise/suggestions greatfully recieved :-)

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Dani AI

Generated

Brief primer and safe checklist (for and replies from , and )

Archive-and-Install behavior: an Archive & Install (or reinstall-that-keeps-settings) commonly leaves a "Previous System" (or "Previous System 1") folder that contains older system files, plug‑ins and sometimes archived user data. That folder can be removed once it is certain that all needed personal files and settings have been migrated and are safely backed up. (macworld.com)

Permissions and Disk Utility: the Finder/flashing behavior that prompted the reinstall is exactly the kind of intermittent problem people check permissions for. Disk Utility’s Repair Disk Permissions compares installed‑package receipts to actual files and restores Apple‑default permissions; it is safe and often useful to run after an OS install or update. Some lines in the permissions report (the “we are using special permissions …” messages) are status messages and not panic alerts. Repair can also be run from Terminal with the Apple command shown below. (macworld.com)

Recommended, practical checklist (do these in order)

  • Make a full backup (external disk or Time Machine) before removing anything.

  • Inspect the archive: check /Previous System/Users (look for home folders), fonts, ~/Library/Preferences, Mail and Photos libraries; copy anything missing to the active Home. Quick Terminal checks:

    ls -la "/Previous System/Users"
du -sh "/Previous System"

    Use Finder Get Info to confirm sizes. Only delete the folder after verifying copies and a backup exist. (macworld.com)

Directory and disk health: DiskWarrior is for directory rebuilds and can help when the directory is corrupt; it must be the correct version for the OS and is usually run from a boot or external volume. If directory errors or SMART alerts appear, check hardware/SMART and consider DiskWarrior or a secure clone before deleting archives. After confirming data integrity, install all Apple updates and re‑run Repair Permissions. (alsoft.com)

Cautions: Windows AV tools won’t run on macOS (so ’s Windows suggestions don’t apply). If malware is suspected, use Mac‑native scanners rather than Windows utilities.

Recommended Answers

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Member Avatar for UKKati

Oh! And I ran disc warrior and that didn't help either! :confused:

Cheers x

Member Avatar for Lightninghawk

Sounds like your explorer might be corrupt with spyware or a virus.

The last time my icons disappeared I had a trojan.

Download
AVG www.grisoft.com -Free edt. of course.
Ad-Aware www.lavasoft.com Also free.

Run those and see what you come up with.

Member Avatar for kc0arf

Hello,

It is possible that you have a permissions problem. Go into the Disk Utility, and run a permissions check.

Let us know what you find. Your answers are not with AVG or Adaware; those are windows programs, and your Mac will not run them.

Christian

Member Avatar for UKKati

Hi there I reinstalled the system - but kept my settings etc, and everything is fine. Fingers crossed xx
I now have the previous system on there too - is it safe to trash this?
I couldn't get to disc utility while it was flipping.
I have not had to delve this deep before! What are disc permissions?
I have had a look at disc permissions this am - and all seems Ok, there are a few at the end that say they differ - see below
I haven't done a repair as everything is working Ok, so am nervous of doing so.
Coul you please advise?
Many many thanks
Kati xx

Group differs on ./private/etc/authorization, should be 80, group is 0
Permissions differ on ./usr/bin/setregion, should be -r-sr-xr-x , they are -r-xr-xr-x
We are using special permissions for the file or directory ./usr/lib/php/build/Makefile.global. New permissions are 33060
Permissions differ on ./usr/lib/php/build/Makefile.global, should be -r--r--r-- , they are -r-xr-xr-x
We are using special permissions for the file or directory ./usr/lib/php/build/acinclude.m4. New permissions are 33060
We are using special permissions for the file or directory ./usr/lib/php/build/mkdep.awk. New permissions are 33060
Permissions differ on ./usr/lib/php/build/mkdep.awk, should be -r--r--r-- , they are -r-xr-xr-x
We are using special permissions for the file or directory ./usr/lib/php/build/phpize.m4. New permissions are 33060
Permissions differ on ./usr/lib/php/build/phpize.m4, should be -r--r--r-- , they are -r-xr-xr-x
We are using special permissions for the file or directory ./usr/lib/php/build/scan_makefile_in.awk. New permissions are 33060
Permissions differ on ./usr/lib/php/build/scan_makefile_in.awk, should be -r--r--r-- , they are -r-xr-xr-x

Member Avatar for Lightninghawk

HaHa yeah stupid me. kc0arf is right I wasn't even thinking about you saying you had a MAC OS. My bad.

Member Avatar for UKKati

HaHa yeah stupid me. kc0arf is right I wasn't even thinking about you saying you had a MAC OS. My bad.

No probs I did note it! Glad someone replied!! :cheesy:

Member Avatar for yellow

Make sure you install all the updates and re-run Disk Utility locally and repair your permissions when you're all done.

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