Finder not responding and Sophos Anti-virus not running

Becs86 · Mar 29, 2013

Hi guys,

I am not computer savvy at all so I have no idea what the problem is with my Mac or how to fix it. I've got a Macbook pro version 10.6.8.

I ran software updates yesterday - nothing unusual happened but I didn't restart my computer after the updates had completed. Today, I got a message saying Sophos Anti-virus not running and also Finder is not responding.

I have no idea if these 2 issues are connected or not and not sure how to get Finder working again. I haven't run out of space on the hard drive which I see could be a cause for this.

Any suggestions would be muchly appreciated!!

justperry · Mar 29, 2013

First, get rid of Sophos, anti virus is not needed on a Mac, Sophos can increase the risk, read more about it here:

Mac Virus/Malware FAQ - Mac Guides

Next, download the combo update from Apple and reapply the Update, it will most likely fix the problem.
But, before you do remove Sophos first.

Macman45 · Mar 29, 2013

As justperry say's, you do not need or want an AV package on your Mac...If you really feel that you must, then use the free ClamAV from the Mac App Store...It doesn't run in real time and won't mess up other things, but I have been running Macs for years without ever installing an AV package of any kind, and without any issues at all.

Becs86 · Mar 29, 2013

Thanks for your advice!

How do I remove Sophos? I can't get into Applications to uninstall it there....

GGJstudios · Mar 29, 2013

Becs86 said:
Thanks for your advice!

How do I remove Sophos? I can't get into Applications to uninstall it there....

The most effective method for complete app removal is manual deletion:

Best way to FULLY DELETE a program

Becs86 · Mar 29, 2013

Those instructions say to launch finder - that is the problem - I can't launch finder because it is stuck on Not responding

Stooby Mcdoobie · Mar 29, 2013

You said you didn't reboot after installing updates yesterday, but didn't mention anything about trying it after this problem started. If you haven't yet, reboot. If that fixes the problem, get rid of Sophos using the method posted above.

justperry · Mar 29, 2013

Becs86 said:
Those instructions say to launch finder - that is the problem - I can't launch finder because it is stuck on Not responding

You have the dock don't you, click onSystem Preferences, after launch go to Users & Groups, make a new Admin User Account, logout and into new User, is the Finder running there, if so you then can go ahead with deleting Sophos.
After you done this log into old User Account, did this solve the problem, if not go to the new User again and Open Terminal type or paste:

Suso rm /Users/****/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Finder.plist
Hit enter
Enter password.
Log out and into old User, did this work?

**** = your normal user account name

Becs86 · Mar 31, 2013

I created a new Admin user - logged in and Finder does not work in there either

GGJstudios · Mar 31, 2013

Becs86 said:
I created a new Admin user - logged in and Finder does not work in there either

Restart in Safe Mode and try it.

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