Ok. I think that you installed some piece of software that corrupted a lot of stuff. Could that be true?
Try trashing the Finder pref file ( path is:
Macintosh HD ->
Users ->
your user account ->
Library ->
Preferences ->
com.apple.finder.plist) and restart: but I have to say that I highly doubt this is going to fix anything as this fix only touches your account.
Here are a few things to try:
-
resetting your PRAM, booting in Open Firmware (keyboard shortcut:
Command +
Option +
o +
p)
-
entering these lines at the prompt:
1. type in this:
reset-nvram
2. press
Return
3. type in:
reset-all
4. press
Return to restart.
- You could shut down and unplug your iMac from the wall and let it sit for 5 minutes to let the capacitors drain. Then plug it in again and start up, see what that does.
- Pop in your restore DVD in the optical drive and boot from it holding down the
C key and when you see the OS Install options select to run DiskUtility to check the hard drive this time.
- And lastly, run Apple's Hardware Test in Extended mode. You should find the Hardware Test on your restore DVD holding down the
C key.
If nothing in the above changes anything...
While you're at it, check out your serial number and compare it to the ones on
this list and this
other list.
And if not, looks like a reinstall just might be what is needed in your case.
Back up your stuff and wipe the drive and reinstall. It would be best if you didn't choose the
Archive and Install or the
Upgrade options just in case it would keep the corruption in the new OS.
Let us know how it goes for you. Good luck!