System Prefs won't open

[Johnnybegoode]

Hi guys
Running Lion 10.7.2 with Server on Mac Mini
Recently seem to have lost System Prefs - every time I try to open it, I get the little white light for a second or two, then it just disappears - never actually opens the System Prefs window.

Tried through the apple menu, tried through Launchpad, all to no avail

Restart has no effect either - still doing the same

Oddly, I can make changes to the dock (removing icons etc) but the changes don't save either - it returns exactly as it was when I restart.

Any ideas gratefully received

Thanks

Johnnybegoode

 

[robgendreau]

Can you launch any pref pane by doing it manually (look in /Library/PreferencePanes, for example, or /System/Library/PreferencePanes)? You many not be able to get the whole listing but at least you could run the Pane you're interested in.

Rob