Huge Problem!!!! Please Help!!!!!!

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First, hi, I'm Mac Convert, a former PC owner, I love Macs, glad to be here, whatever.

Anyway:
This isn't a major problem, I just said that to get your attention. But please don't go away. I have a new iMac, OS X, just had it a couple of months. This is a new problem I've not had before: whenever I click on system preferences, it doesn't open, and a question mark (?) symbol appears on the icon. Please Help!!!!! I need to be able to manage my computer!!!!!!
 
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are you selecting it in the doc or under the  menu?
 
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Are you sure nothing happens when you select System Preferences under the  menu?

Have you moved any files around in the system or library folders?

AS a first idea, run Disk Utility (in Applications > Utilities) and run repair permissions. If that doesn't work come back here
 
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It didn't work. Now the system preferences icon is removed from the dock, too.
 

cwa107


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Sounds like you've moved the System Preferences application from its original location (the Applications folder). The reason the icon on the Dock is now a ? is because it's just a shortcut to the application and that shortcut is no longer valid.

What you need to do is figure out where you moved it to. You can do a search for System Preferences in Spotlight. That should point you to the new location - and once you find it, just drag and drop it back into the Applications folder and it should be good as new.

If you can't find it, you'll need to extract the program from your system discs by using a program like Pacifist.
 
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I can't find it. Are you sure there's nothing else I can do? I REALLY don't want to have to pay for that thing.
 

cwa107


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I can't find it. Are you sure there's nothing else I can do? I REALLY don't want to have to pay for that thing.

Pacifist is a free trial. Just use that, pop in your System Disc 1 and browse the disc until you find System Preferences. Then, copy System Preferences back to your Applications folder.
 
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Ban him for a dishonest subject line.
 
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This great thing about this forum is that you don't have to FAKE a major problem to get a response... everyone is soooo friendly and patient with our newbie questions.

Glad to have you here!!! :)
 
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Huge Problem!!!! Please Help!!!!!!... Please Help!!!!! I need to be able to manage my computer!!!!!!
You might also want to check here: System Preferences->Keyboards & Mice

Your key repeat rate seems to be set a little high.
It looks like you're getting an obscenely large number of completely unnecessary exclamation points when you type.
 
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Could someone explain how to use pacifist? I open, click not yet, and then what do I do?
 
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couldnt you just use the disc's included with the machine to do an archive and install? It would definitely get system preferences back on there.
 

cwa107


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Give this a try, it's straight from my Applications folder.

It may/may not fix it. If it doesn't it gives us somewhere to go next.

NOTE: I have removed the attachment. OS X is copyrighted software and none of its components are open to the public domain. I know you meant well, but please refrain from doing this in the future.
 
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My apologies. Hope he's able to resolve this issue.

My only advice now, would be to look for an Applications folder w/ Pacifist. What you found may have been named System Preferences, but not what you needed.
 
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Do an archive and install and you will have everything you need. Pacifist might do it, but it sounds like its just wasting time for the most part.
 

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