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Mac OS X 10.3.8 Special Report: Displays pane of System Preferences not working
A handful of MacFixIt readers reported that they are unable to access the "Displays" pane of System Preferences after updating to Mac OS X 10.3.8.
One reader writes:
"After having used 'Software Update' to install Mac OS X 10.3.8, I can no longer start/load 'Displays' in System Preferences."
This problem is sometimes directly related to the presence of certain ATI graphics card drivers, which may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- /System/Library/Extensions/ATIRadeon9700.kext
- /System/Library/Extensions/ATIRadeon9700DVDDriver.bundle
- /System/Library/Extensions/ATIRadeon9700GA.plugin
- /System/Library/Extensions/ATIRadeon9700GLDriver.bundle
Users have reported that deleting these files and using an alternate graphics card from another manufacturer (such as NVidia) re-allowed access to the Displays pane of System Preferences. Note that deleting these files will render your ATI Radeon card unusable at the next restart.
Clearing font caches for faster startup For users experiencing slow startup times after upgrading to Mac OS X 10.3.8, font-related corruption may be to blame.
Using the shareware utility Font Finagler to delete font caches will often restore normal startup speeds if indeed the bloated or corrupt files are to blame.
Topic Index:
- Release Notes, Download Links
- Disappearing hard drive space
- Wake from Sleep Issues
- Audio problems
- Safari World Leaks
- Excessive sensitivity in automatic screen brightness feature on PowerBooks
- Routers and slow network performance
- Printer problems, solutions
- Displays pane of System Preferences not working
- Clearing font caches for faster startup
- iBook G4 F12 key not working
- Trackpad problems
- Problems with third-party mice
- Slow iChat operation
- Problems with Java
- Increased G5 fan activity
- FireWire warning only provided for Combo update
- Moving Apple's installed applications prevents them from being updated
- Problems installing via Software Update
- Bluetooth Issues
- Positive reports
my retail 9800 mac does not exhibit this issue.
I can open the displays pref pane just fine.
the 9700 mac card was never really sold retail (was it ever???) and was only
provided as an OEM upgrade for like three months max.
... so not that many people have this card.
perhaps people can clarify what kind of 9700 they have? if it is OEM or
flashed.
After following a best-practices update from
10.3.7 to .8 (boot from OS disk - repair permissions, install, restart, repair
permissions etc) my time from vanishing login window to appearance of
menu bar and dock went from about 20 seconds to as long as 180 seconds!
After deciding that this was the way it was and the extra time is long enough
to brew a steaming mug of java, I let it lie. However a month later and it's a
frustrating hicup, especially if you're used to logging out every time you leave
your computer.
Seeing that security update 2005 2 has just been
reeased I looked through Macfixit again and discovered Font Finagler. A very
quick download, easy install and 10 "free" font cache clearances before the
$10.00 fee is due! Give it a bash - my 10.3.8 startup is back to 20 seconds.
Cheers all
Mal Smith