System Preferences, the application for Mac OS X that allows you to modify various system settings. The application is organized into different preference panes.
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Is it possible to change the name of a bluetooth mouse?
I bring my MacBook Pro back and forth between home and work. I have a Magic Mouse in both places. I guess because they are both the same model, I have to re-pair the mouse with the computer every time ...
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1answer
92 views
What Is Graphic Switching & Are There Reasons to Turn It Off?
I was tinkering about in the System Preferences of my Macbook Pro yesterday, when I came across "Automatic Graphic Switching" within the Energy Saver pane as exemplied below:
What exactly is ...
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2answers
25 views
Why doesn't the screen saver delay that I set persist after restarting my Mac?
I have a problem with a screen saver, I set it to 20 minutes and when I lock the computer and unlock it, the settings are unchanged. However, when I restart my mac, then the screen saver is set to ...
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90 views
iCloud can't find my MacBook
When I sign into icloud.com and click on the Find My iPhone icon, my MacBook does NOT show up in the located devices. I have already made sure that my location services are turned ON in System ...
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17 views
Search Results Within System Preferences Not Highlighted
This is just a minor annoyance, but usually, when typing in the search field inside of System Preferences, the icons for matching search results receive kind of a glowing background or highlight. ...
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1answer
38 views
Spotlight Doesn't Properly Show Preference Panes
I'm having an issue where Spotlight isn't properly showing results for System Preference panels. When I search for a preference panel by name (e.g. Sharing or Network), I don't get any System ...
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57 views
How can I connect to the App Store again?
When i try to open xcode, It show me message like:you can't open the application "Xcode" because it is being updated.
When i try to update the xcode through App Store, It display the message like: ...
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1answer
32 views
Can I exclude itunes from the Software Update feature in system preference?
I've reverted from 11 back to 10.7 three times by now because I keep forgetting to uncheck iTunes whenever it prompts me to install patches. I'd like to be able to tell the updater to skip over iTunes ...
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68 views
Desktop Background with multiple displays
I user a single external display at work with my MacBook Pro, running 10.8.2. I have the displays set up in extended desktop mode (as opposed to mirroring). I have the external monitor set as the main ...
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146 views
System Preferences lock always unlocks itself after restart
The Mac's System Preferences panels have a universal "lock" icon which, when locked, will apply to all panes, therefore preventing the user from changing any settings until they unlock the System ...
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113 views
Remove an app from Notification Center preference pane
My girlfriend added Facebook to my Notification Center. I tried to set the alert style to none, and you can see the check mark to show items in Notification Center is deselected.
I want it ...
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1answer
147 views
Remove app from Location Services?
I've used App Cleaner which clears preference and associated files, but I can't clear it from Location Services permissions list in System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy.
Any idea how ...
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242 views
iCloud Mail setting not saved in System Preferences on Mountain Lion
I'm having difficulty keeping a Mail setting in System Preferences (10.8.2) persistent.
I have an iCloud account that is the same as my AppleID - xxx@mac.com.
I don't want to use the xxx@mac.com as ...
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1answer
536 views
Facebook notification sound in OSX: cannot switch off
In OSX Mountain Lion I'm getting beeps every time a facebook notification comes in. In System Preferences > Notifications > Facebook i have set my alert style to None. In the list on the left, the ...
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110 views
How Do I Access/Change OSX System Preferences Using SSH?
I currently have SSH enabled on my 2011 Mac Mini Lion Server. I want to be able to use a VNC Viewer to connect to it as well from my Windows 7 client. I've downloaded the RealVNC VNC Viewer and ...
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21 views
Get rid of little circles on Teleport
I've installed Teleport in order to use two macs with one keyboard and mouse, but when I change of screen there apper some little red circles like a trail of the mouse. Is it possible to get rid of ...
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66 views
Can Teleport set up be automated?
I've got two macs and I only use one keyboard and mouse thanks to teleport, the problem is that I have to activate it every time I turn my computer on. Would it be possible to do it automatically?
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1answer
240 views
Where does OS X store mouse preferences?
I couldn't figure out where the settings I change with the "Mouse" system preferences are stored. Neither plist ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple..plist nor /Library/Preferences/com.apple..plist changes ...
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94 views
Notification Centre “Tweet sent” bird whistle plays through iMac internal speakers instead of selected output device
Tweeting through Notification Centre share buttons plays "Tweet sent" bird whistle through my iMac's internal speakers. This only happened when I re-enabled the option to select internal speakers ...
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1answer
46 views
Why are the network connections in the Network System Preference panel mislabeled?
Here is a screenshot of a problem I am having. The wireless connection is mis-labled as Ethernet and my wired connection is mis-labeled as Wi-Fi.
...
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1answer
43 views
How do I verify the integrity of my OSX installation? (Files, versions, and preferences)
I want to verify the files, and configuration settings for my OSX installation against a known good reference "base".
Assuming I have two identical Macs (hardware), with one being factory installed ...
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89 views
Desktop background folder selections not persisting
Upgraded to Mountain Lion a few weeks ago, didn't have the problem. A few days ago I replaced the hard drive with a SSD and did a clean install of Mountain Lion then manually moved my background ...
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1answer
130 views
Unable to remove login item from Users & Groups startup list
I have an item in my "Login Items" list (System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items) that refuses to be removed. When highlighted, the minus button grays out. The "hide" toggle is ...
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1answer
108 views
Why do some applications in System Preferences say “To use the “xxx” preferences pane, System Preferences must quit and reopen.”
When I open my MIDI driver in System Preferences I get the following message:
"To use the “YAMAHA USB-MIDI Control Panel” preferences pane, System Preferences must quit and reopen."
Then when I ...
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2answers
83 views
How can I remove remnant processes from deleted preference panes?
I discovered in Activity Monitor that I have several leftover processes running in the background that shouldn't be there anymore. I deleted these preference panes long ago with an application that ...
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1answer
112 views
Repair Permissions messed up network preferences
I ran repair permissions a few days ago, because other accounts on my computer couldn't open system preferences (this problem persists, but I don't care about it very much). What does bother me, ...
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338 views
Time Machine - Is it backing up system files, preferences, etc?
Problem
My iMac is one which falls under a hard disk replacement program due to a possibly faulty disk made by Seagate in 2010. Because of that I will be soon sending it off to Apple for the disk to ...
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38 views
Keyboard shortcut to change the behavior of function keys?
Is there a shortcut for toggling the behavior of the function keys between standard and the media functions printed on them?
I know I can do this in the Preferences, but it would be great to achieve ...
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1answer
19 views
can you set an application to come to the desktop you are on osx
I know that you can lock an application to a certain desktop, and if you select that application(either through the dock or command+tab), then OSX will change your desktop to the one where the ...
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1answer
58 views
Can I configure Accessbility settings using Terminal instead of Preferences Panel
I have a problem with my MacBookPro, the left click button on (any) mouse doesnt work and the trackpad doesnt respond to any clicks, so the only thing that works properly is the keyboard and Mouse ...
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1answer
531 views
How to change account name and full name to one, consistent name?
I have created an administrator account on a Mac OSX 10.5.8. At first, the user name and account name were called "kaleb". However, I later changed the name (is this account or user?) via System ...
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241 views
Time/Clock in menu bar is always wrong, System Preferences crashes after upgrading to 10.8
Since upgrading to 10.8 the time displayed in the menu bar is always incorrect. Sometimes by minutes, or hours, other times it just displayes the same time (eg 3:13) for several days without changing. ...
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1answer
68 views
Automatically executing actions according to the current location
I would like to have in my MacBook Pro a functionality which execute automatically some actions according to my current location. This actions could be for example
Change the default printer
Change ...
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551 views
Found bizarre signed exceptions under com.apple.alf.plist
In the never-ending quest to track down odd errors on my late 2008 MBP, running 10.6.8, I have recently noticed that I have several .plist files are created anew several times a day. The list varies, ...
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1answer
178 views
AppleScript/Automator Workflow to restore OS X to “mint” condition
Under Mountain Lion, I wanted to create an AppleScript that would essentially restore my OS X install to "mint" condition, if possible even to the point of showing you the ML welcome screen asking you ...
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5answers
332 views
icon for iTunes 10.7/music missing from System Preferences in Snow Leopard
My music/iTunes icon:
is present in the Dock
has gone from some panes of System Preferences.
This first screenshot is from the Spotlight pane, the icon is expected to the left of Music:
The ...
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votes
2answers
447 views
Why does this applescript not actually set the input volume to zero?
I have this command that builds a script to mute the input volume. The input volume is not fully muted, though. It seems to be closer to 10% than 0%.
osacompile -x -e 'tell application "System ...
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1answer
292 views
files locked in public folder when sharing via file sharing
i share files with a friend from his macbook to my mac mini over my wireless connection.
i set my public folder as a shared folder & turned on file sharing in my system prefs.
my friend can copy ...
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2answers
861 views
Can't unlock preferences - no password dialog
In system preferences, if I click the "lock" icon to allow me to make changes as the administrator, no dialog opens. The message "Authenticating..." appears momentarily, then disappears, and the lock ...
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203 views
What does OS X use “associated” Apple IDs for?
On OS X it is possible to associate Apple IDs with user accounts. Apple lists three consequences of doing so:
The Apple IDs can be used to reset the user account
The Apple IDs can be used to access ...
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1answer
260 views
How to configure OS X for exhibitions
I need to configure a Mac Mini and OS X for use in exhibitions so that it:
boots when power switches on (or wake on LAN)
starts Safari in full-screen mode
suppresses closing Safari and/or showing ...
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1answer
127 views
How can I reclaim quick-keys from special characters I never use?
I love Byword.app and there's a very handy quick key (⇧-⌥-p) that, recently, started showing the uppercase Greek character pi (∏) instead.
I'm not sure what I changed, but it's very frustrating, as ...
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1answer
326 views
Toggle Natural scrolling from command line with reload
I'm looking to make a script that quickly toggles the Natural scrolling settings, so I need a way to do it from the command line.
I think I found the correct defaults command, but I'm not sure how to ...
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3answers
870 views
Internet Sharing won't show under Share settings on OS X Server 10.6.8
I need to use the Mac Mini Server running 10.6.8 as an access point for my team at the office.
When I go under System Preferences>Sharing there's no Internet Sharing Option.
What to do?
3
votes
1answer
334 views
No sound and volume icon
I have a Mac mini and the sound has disappeared. I have also lost the sound icon off the toolbar. I went to preferences for the sound and see that mute is checked. I can't un-check it because it is ...
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2answers
360 views
Toggle “Use all F1, F2 as standard keys” via script
I toggle the "Use all F1, F2 as standard keys" setting very often and would like to automate it via a script (or a keyboard shortcut). Is it possible? I've tried to Google the right arguments for ...
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1answer
3k views
Mountain Lion, System Preferences and App Store crash, Clean Install doesn't help
Background - Mid-2010 MBP 13", upgraded to 8 GB memory. Came with Snow Leopard, Upgraded to Lion without clean install. Worked perfectly. Have CleanMyMac installed on it.
Problem - After upgrade to ...
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2answers
555 views
How can I export text substitutions from Lion for import into Mountain Lion
I am trying to migrate to a brand new install of Mountain Lion. I am trying to migrate select data from my old Lion install. Does anybody know where the text replacement definitions in System ...
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5answers
4k views
Spotlight in upper right screen corner in Mountain Lion
In the System Preferences panel for Spotlight in OS X 10.8, it claims "Spotlight is located at the top right corner of the screen". On my system, this no longer appears to be true; the Notification ...
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1answer
92 views
Why does my home directory location keep reverting to the previous setting?
I have two hard drives in my MacBook Pro: one is a solid state drive that holds the OS and Applications, the other a spinning platter drive that holds my home directory.
I currently have /Users/ian ...
