desktop problem

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When I leftclick the mail logo on the desktop, it does not respond - the mail program does not respond. How can I correct this?
 

pigoo3

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"Left-clicking" an icon on the desktop will do nothing other than to select it. If you want something to happen (such as launch the application)...you need to "double-click" it.

- Nick
 
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click

Apologies for not being sufficiently specific. I do double-click on the mail icon, without response.
 

pigoo3

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Apologies for not being sufficiently specific. I do double-click on the mail icon, without response.

Yes that does help.

Questions:

1. What OS version are you running?
2. Is the mail icon you are referring to the actual icon for the application or an "alias"?
3. If it's the actual mail application icon...why do you have your mail application icon on your desktop...as opposed to the applications folder...or in the dock?

One solution (in case this is an "alias" icon on your desktop). Go to your applications folder...find the mail icon...double click on it. Does the mail application launch?

- Nick
 
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mail icon

Thanks for those questions, Nick:

1. I am using iOS 10.8.2
2. It's the actual mail icon, not an alias
3. It's in the dock - apologies again for using imprecise language.
 
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Drag the icon to your Desktop. It will disappear.

Now open your Applications folder and find the actual Mail icon. Drag it to the left side of the Dock.

If the new one doesn't work, let us know.
 

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2. It's the actual mail icon, not an alias
3. It's in the dock - apologies again for using imprecise language.
This can't be the case unless you've created a copy of the application. Did you do that?

What actually happens when you try? Error messages?
 
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When I drag the mail icon onto the desktop it doesn't disappear - just jumps back to the dock. Same when I drag it to the trash. I also tried dragging the icon from applications and putting it into another part of the dock - the new and old icons simply merged.
 
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Vansmith, No I have not created a copy of the application. It was working fine yesterday, but this problem appeared as soon as I tried today.
 

pigoo3

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When I drag the mail icon onto the desktop it doesn't disappear - just jumps back to the dock.

I've had this happen from time to time. Try dragging the mail icon from the dock onto the desktop (to cause it to "Poof" disappear)...but drag it a bit further away from the dock.

When you drag the icon away from the dock...once it is far enough...a little "puffy-cloud" like image will appear in the lower-right portion of the mail icon being dragged from the dock. This signifies that you have dragged the icon far enough away from the dock for it to "POOF" disappear.

- Nick
 
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Nick, what happens is that, rather than a puffy cloud, an image of a rolled-up ball of paper attaches itself to the bottom of the icon - but when I release it the **** thing still jumps back to the dock!
 
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Siuation resolved. It was related to the fact that mail would not let me quit. I did a forced quit, shut down and rebooted.The icon had disappeared, but I dragged it from the Applications folder and it now works normally.
Thanks to everyone for your suggestions.
 
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Was just going to suggest that maybe it was still running but with no window open. Happens to the wife all the time.
Freaks her out and hubby has to fix.
 

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