Weird and profound problem with OS X

2Scoops

So, I was trying to fix a problem a friend of mine had installing a.mpkg on a PowerPC iBook G4 (OS X 10.4.11). I assumed it was a minor problem. I found out that, basically, Installer.app will not open. I tried to run Disk Utility.app to repair permissions or something and that won't open either.

In fact, NONE of the system utilities appear to be working! They all have a default icon (White rectangle with the Applications symbol on it). What the heck is going on??

I'm totally stumped and would like to avoid a reinstall if there's an easy fix - not even sure if they still have the OS X disk. I throw myself at the mercy of the forum! :pac:

Sad Professor

And restarting has no effect? Was anything installed recently?

Will Terminal open? If so type—

sudo diskutil repairPermissions /

—to repair permissions.

2Scoops

Norton was installed in the last months, nothing else. I took that off immediately since it was slowing down the whole computer. I will have to see later today if I can get into Terminal.

Sad Professor

Norton is a piece of complete and utter s**t! It's a million times worse than any virus. And it's like cat pee, you'll never get rid of the smell. Use AppZapper to make sure it's all gone but you can never be sure with Norton.

2Scoops

Sad Professor wrote: »

Norton is a piece of complete and utter s**t! It's a million times worse than any virus. And it's like cat pee, you'll never get rid of the smell. Use AppZapper to make sure it's all gone but you can never be sure with Norton.

I know it! It has never, nor will never, be on any machine of mine, be it Mac or anything else. I'll try AppZapper... assuming i can get Installer to work again!

2Scoops

It's even worse than I thought - can't even access Terminal! Here's a screenshot that shows what I'm talking about. Basically, all the system utilities have lost their file association. Lost permissions all over the place, even regular files. And, crucially, lost access to the 2 things that could have fixed it: Disk Util and Terminal. I've never seen anything like it. I blame Norton, just because they're an easy target. :pac:

Luckily, we have the install discs, so, looks like a fresh install...:(

Sad Professor

Don't reinstall yet. Boot from the install disc and run Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. You can repair permissions there.

2Scoops

Good idea. I'll try that first, thanks.

2Scoops

Nope - Disk Utilities and Terminal from the install disk didn't do jack. Reinstalling...

2Scoops

Did an archive and install... and the new installation has the same problem! Not cool.

Sad Professor

Create a new user account in System Prefs > Users and temporarily log-in under it. Same problem?

cornbb

Try this: go to Finder, hit cmd-shift-G and enter the path "/Applications/Utilities/Terminal.app/Contents/MacOS" Hit ok then try double clicking Terminal. Does that work?

2Scoops

Sad Professor wrote: »

Create a new user account in System Prefs > Users and temporarily log-in under it. Same problem?

Ah! That fixed it. Amazingly simple in the end. What does this mean - was the other account corrupted?

~Rebel~

Usually means the corruption/error was in your user accounts library folder rather then being system wide.

Amazing how often simply switching to a new user will fix things, even on windows!