office X will not start

[SL]

Hello all bright Mac OSX Users:

I have a major problem starting any programs on my Ibook. It began
with multiple documents open and I hadn't restarted my computer in
many weeks, just using the sleep mode. When I restarted, I was unable
to start any Office X applications or Explorer. The icons would just
bounce in the dock. I have researched and fiddled with it for a week
or so, now when I start the computer there are no icons on the desktop
and using the dock no programs will start.

From my reading I sense the problem has to do with corrupted user
files. I tried to fix the permissions using the disk utility and there
were problems. But this did not correct the problems I am having.

I am not sure where to go from here. I can't even browse my Hard Drive
as the finder is not working properly.

I am using OSX 10.2.8

Please help,

Thanks.

 

[Tom Stiller]

Hello all bright Mac OSX Users:

I have a major problem starting any programs on my Ibook. It began
with multiple documents open and I hadn't restarted my computer in
many weeks, just using the sleep mode. When I restarted, I was unable
to start any Office X applications or Explorer. The icons would just
bounce in the dock. I have researched and fiddled with it for a week
or so, now when I start the computer there are no icons on the desktop
and using the dock no programs will start.

From my reading I sense the problem has to do with corrupted user
files. I tried to fix the permissions using the disk utility and there
were problems. But this did not correct the problems I am having.

I am not sure where to go from here. I can't even browse my Hard Drive
as the finder is not working properly.

I am using OSX 10.2.8

Please help,

Thanks.

I recommend running Alsoft's DiskWarrior to repair probable damage to
the disk directory.

 

[Diane Ross]

From my reading I sense the problem has to do with corrupted user
files. I tried to fix the permissions using the disk utility and there
were problems. But this did not correct the problems I am having.

I am not sure where to go from here. I can't even browse my Hard Drive
as the finder is not working properly.

Restart in Single-User Mode. Hold Command-S Key down when booting. This
dumps you into single-user mode. When the scrolling has stopped, type


/sbin/fsck -y

(there is a space before -y)

and press return. This will initiate a Unix repair function called fsck (for
file system check) If fsck makes any repairs you'll get a message that says
"File system was modified." Run fsck again until the message no longer
appears. Once all repairs are made, type reboot and press return.

If this fails to help, I suggest doing an Archive and Install of Jaguar.
Just be sure to check Preserve Users and Network Settings when you select
Archive & Install.

If you have any questions about doing the archive & install see the Apple KB

<http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107120>

 

[SL]

Thank you for your advice

I used the Single User Mode to repair the file system as you
recommend. Every time I engage this function, it modifies the file
system, and in particular something called the

Overlapped Extent Allocation

fsck modifies approx 40 of these files. As you say a message stating
"File System was modified" ends the repairs. If I repeat the process,
the same files are modified again. This continues as many times as I
repeat this process.

After I reboot, the same symptoms I have descibed continue (no desktop
icons, programs will not start).

Regarding Archive and Install, I note this article:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25505

Which seems to indicate that reinstalling will not correct my
problems, and perhaps cause me to lose my data.

I have not attempted to archive and reinstall yet, fearing the loss of
data.

Should I forgo the risks and reinstall, or try third party software
such as Norton Utilities or DiskWarrior?

Thanks in advance.