System Preferences unexpectedly quits when i try to change desktop background

[UCONN]

i think the sequence that caused the problem went something like this:

downloaded new image and put the file on the desktop.
added the image to iphoto library.
deleted the file from the desktop. (smart!)
right-clicked on desktop and chose change desktop background.
selected the image i had added to iphoto.
background went blue.

Now - whenever i try to change the desktop background, it freezes and then i get the "The application System Preferences unexpectedly quit" message. relaunching does no good. restarting good.

help.

thanks.

 

[gregj777]

I did the same thing and am having the same problem. I tried repairing disk permissions and that didn't help. Still looking for a solution.

i think the sequence that caused the problem went something like this:

downloaded new image and put the file on the desktop.
added the image to iphoto library.
deleted the file from the desktop. (smart!)
right-clicked on desktop and chose change desktop background.
selected the image i had added to iphoto.
background went blue.

Now - whenever i try to change the desktop background, it freezes and then i get the "The application System Preferences unexpectedly quit" message. relaunching does no good. restarting good.

help.

thanks.

 

[gregj777]

Found this on another site and I'm getting ready to try it:

Try dragging the following items out of your Preferences folder, and then restart.

* com.apple.systempreferences.plist
* com.apple.desktop.plist

I did the same thing and am having the same problem. I tried repairing disk permissions and that didn't help. Still looking for a solution.

 

[gregj777]

Found this on another site and I'm getting ready to try it:

Try dragging the following items out of your Preferences folder, and then restart.

* com.apple.systempreferences.plist
* com.apple.desktop.plist

Well here's what finally worked. My hard drive was almost at capacity. I removed all my photos and music to a backup, then I was able to change the desktop photo just as I used to be able to do. I had a lot of dups in the photos, so I needed to go through them anyway.

 

[LanceMahe]

system preferences

Here is a temp measure. It does not resolve the issue but you can go ahead and use SP.

1. go into your backups before the issue occurred
2. locate System Preferences
3. copy it to your desktop

Use this version of SP.
That's it!

Good Luck