Wow . . . :^(
@Magwumper: I'm SOOO happy to hear that your softs work just dandy ;-)
Here is some more info:
- OS system: 10.4.9
- Processor: 2GHz
- Memory : 1 GB
- Harddrive: 93GB
- iTunes lib: 18GB
I don't precisely remember when it started. I would say about more than 6months ago. I didn't pay much attention since it hand initially affected VLC and skype, softwares that weren't critical to me.
I haven't added any new hardware. For the software, I can't tell.
The first time, I realized that something funky was going on was when I would use VLC and skype. One day, they didn't work. That is, the icons would jump, an icon would pop up for just a few seconds on the desk tray and then disappear, and then the software wouldn't launch. Then, I observed that the MS Word. That is when I started to realize that something may be really wrong... then the same started happening to firefox, itunes... etc. Now, even the program for the software update under the apple rolling menu doesn't work...
Have done not one thing you said: backed up or repaired permissions. For backing up, that I can do... but, what is repaired permissions? Also, the idea of backing up, while obviously an invaluable procedure is great... but, does that mean that I would eventually have to just re-install completely the operating system on my iMac? I would like another solution before going to this extreme since, I currently have softwares on my system for which I have lost the CDs.
Please tell me - someone who has had this problem - and a way to solve this... and also, what the heck is this? Has the software been deleted? corrupted? but, why does this problem affect all software. I say all since it is not only the software that is connected to the internet. It seems to be a fundamental problem.
I thank you in advance for any help.
I'm not sure where to begin . . .
From your description, I wonder what kind of 2008 iMac you have. 2GHz
but only 1GB RAM and a 93GB hard drive doesn't sound like the typical
Core2Duo system of that year. Do you know what kind of CPU it has - can
you run "About This Mac" under the Apple icon in the upper left corner?
Did you buy this system new? Are you the first user? How big is your
screen - 20"?
And if you are running 10.4.9, I wouldn't be surprised if there is some sort
of interaction problem with the latest iTunes. But there's no easy way to tell.
"Repairing permissions" is part of the Disk Utility program - when you do a
lot of software installs, the operating system sometimes gets confused
about which program "owns" which files.
Then, since you apparently haven't been doing upgrades (to Leopard and
then Snow Leopard) and don't have the original install disks for some of
your software, and not doing regular backups (I do a full clone backup at
least once a week, and a Time Machine backup probably 5 times a week),
you are taking a big risk of losing everything if you have a system failure.
You don't have a way to start over, unfortunately, that won't result in some
loss of data. If you started today to do regular backups, I'm not sure what
value they would have, since it sounds like your environment is corrupt - it
doesn't do any good to make copies of corrupt systems.
It's very difficult for me (or anyone) to try to diagnose your problem through
this kind of forum discussion. So unless you're here in the San Francisco
area where I could come look at it, your best choice might be to take it to a
local Apple store - are you close to one? Regardless, you may have to make
a hard decision to rebuild your environment. It doesn't sound like you have
a hardware problem, like a failing hard drive - but you may.
My guess is that you don't have a 2008 iMac (typically 2GB RAM, 320GB
hard drive, 2.4GHz CPU), and you are trying to do too much with a system
that can't handle the load (1GB RAM, ~100GB hard drive, 2GHz CPU). If
you can tell us the exact info about your system, someone may have an
idea about what to do next.
Wish I could be more helpful . . .
