I keep some folders on my Mac desktop in a specific arrangement that helps my workflow. This problem has happened to me a few times in the past years -- I have the files (icons) arranged the way I like them on the desktop, or in a folder -- then suddenly my Mac rearranges all the icons into some random (to me) arrangement. It's a pain the butt.
Here are some solutions:
The best solution that I have found is below. In perusing various Mac forums, I see solution number 2 being mentioned more commonly -- but it has almost never worked for me. In fact, last night, I tried solution number 2 after arranging my desktop the way I preferred (after it got randomly arranged) -- and deleting the .DS_Store file caused my icons to go into chaos mode again! Talk about wasted work and time.
1. The best solution for me: try resetting finder preferences. Delete the file /users/username/library/preferences/com.apple.finder.plist. then control-option-click on Finder in the dock and choose "relaunch".
2. Trash the hidden .DS_Store file that is in all Mac folders. Here are three ways to do it:
Use the free TinkerTool app. In Finder options - select 1st one - "Show hidden and system files"
Relaunch finder to activate changes. Trash the .DS_Store file on the right top of the screen. Wait a couple of seconds before it rebuilds or relaunch the finder again.
You can show hidden files using Terminal commands, and here are some other suggestions:
...
--> I found out that using the freeware Onyx it is very easy to delete the desktop's .DS_Store file.
-->
I used "COCKTAIL" and made the invisible files visible. I then deleted only one invisible file named ".ds_store" - restarted - and all icons stay where they're supposed to now
-->
...had the same problem of icons ending up on the right after any restart (in both 10.5 and 10.6), which was resolved by deleting the hidden .DS_Store file on the desktop. It rebuilt itself and the problem went away. YMMV
No comments:
Post a Comment