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How do I get rid of a software helper file that keeps trying to load?

N

NJRonbo

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Jan 10, 2007
3,242
1,272
I install a lot of software on my Mac
so it is rather difficult to narrow down
exactly what I installed that came with
a helper file that keeps trying to load
every time I start my computer.

Upon each boot after all my programs
load I get a message that says something
like...

MT_SPARKLEHLPR wants to load. Do you
want to open it?

Obviously this is a helper application to
something I installed.

I found the file via spotlight and deleted it.
However the command to load it still exists.

Went into PREFERENCES and LOGIN and
saw that nothing out of the ordinary was
placed in there to automatically start with
my computer.

Is there any way I can track this kind of
command and what file it is associated
with and/or somehow stop my Mac from
trying to load this file every time it boots?

If anyone has any problem figuring out
what is happening I will write down the
specific message I receive upon my next
bootup.

Thanks in advance for your help.
 
That's a good question. I don't have an
answer, unfortunately. I can tell you that
it might have been a documents folder. I
did not recognize it tied to any program.

I know whatever it is attached to was
installed on January 7th. I think it may
be tied to a program called RADIO SHIFT.

Since I used Time Machine I thought I
could search for the file before the point
it was deleted. Have not figured out how
to do a successful file search through
Time Machine if it is at all possible.

I take it there is no way to trace what
programs are trying to load what and
somehow tell the OS not to attempt to
open it every time it boots up?
 
Old wiz,

Appreciate you sticking with me here.

Only checked the PREFERENCES -> LOGIN

Where do I check the system startups? That
may be the answer I am looking for.
 
It's in the main Library folder (not your User Library folder), inside another folder called Startup Items. Clean out the ones you don't want.

Also inside of Accounts in System Preferences there is another list of startup items you can turn on and off.
 
You should probably take a look at the login items of that particular account. If there are no problems there than try downloading app cleaner and look for files under the application and other category.

Here's a link:
http://www.alienappcentral.com/app.php?app=68

If you still can't solve the problem than try repairing permissions and repair disk.

Hope this helps.
 
Gents,

Appreciate your help.

Nothing in the root library folder
out of the ordinary. Do not want
to mess with taking anything out
of there without knowing if they are
truly the cause of the problem.

Did a scan using MAC SCAN and found
nothing but cookies.

Used the AppCleaner program to uninstall
the last two programs I installed.

Still, when I boot the computer the very
last thing to load/appear is this message:

"MT_SparkleHelper is an application downloaded
from the Internet. Are you sure you want
to open it?

Safari downloaded this file on January 7, 2010"


I need to find the command that is telling
this program to load.

You talk about repairing disc permissions. Now
we are getting into unfamiliar territory. What
would you suggest be the correct way to go
forward with that?

Perhaps there is nothing I can do at this point.
At worst, I can live with the message continually
popping up. I don't want to go the route of format
and reinstall.

I do have TIME MACHINE working so if that helps
to trace the origin of this file let me know.

In essence, looking to break the command that
tells the OS to ask to open this file.

Thank you all again for sticking with me. This
forum has really great members willing to help.
 
Gents,

UPDATE.

I ran REPAIR DISC PERMISSIONS from
the Utility folder. Pretty straightforward.

It seems to have removed the problem.

Could it have been that easy?

What did disc permissions actually do
to stop that file from trying to load?
 
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