had to hard reset MacBook – no program can be opened anymore

[lars666]

Hi everybody,

big problems here: I had to hard reset my MacBook 12" (Sierra 10.12.3) after it didn't wake up. Now I can't open any program anymore – I always get the error message "You can't open the program XXX because it probably is damaged or incomplete" (roughly translated to English, I don't know the exact English phrase). When logging in as a guest instead, I can open the programs.

I did boot into recovery modus and "first aid" on Macintosh HD – it didn't help. There's no dedicated "repair permissions" option anymore with Sierra. I don't know what else I could try at this moment

Does anybody have a hint or do I really have to do a full clean reinstall?

Thanks so much in advance for your help, highly appreciated!

 

[FreakinEurekan]

See if it lets you open apps while in Safe Mode (boot holding Shift) or if you can get into Apple menu > System Preferences > Users & Groups, create a new Admin user and log into that & see if apps work.

If either of those lets you open the apps, the problem is likely fixable. If same issue, at a minimum a reinstall (which does not have to be destructive) or a full clean install.

 

[lars666]

Hi FreakinEurekan, thanks a lot for your help. Opening programs in Safe Mode also doesn't work anymore – however I was able to create a new admin account. When logging into this one, I can open programs (same as under a guest user). It has to do something with a damaged permission file or something like this, I guess, but what more can I do than running "first aid" on the Macintosh HD in recovery mode?

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Don't have a lot of time this AM, so here's a brief summary of what I'd do next - proceed at your own risk:

Enable Root user (google those steps). Log in as Root, go to /Users/{affected user}/Library/. Rename the "Preferences" folder to "Preferences.old" and the "Caches" folder to "Caches.old". log back in as the problem user, see if it's fixed. If not, then ignore the rest - you'll need to go a different route.

If fixed, then go into Preferences.old folder (as that user), select all, drag to Preferences, but in the alert make sure you choose "Don't Replace".

Bon chance.

 

[lars666]

Thanks a lot, FreakinEurekan. I just tried those steps - it unfortunately didn't work. Time to use my Time Machine backup I guess or is there still another way?

 

[deany]

Is the MacBook under warranty?

 

[lars666]

Hi deany - yes, the MacBook is under AppleCare warranty, but this problem definitely isn't hardware related. I'm started to use my Time Machine backup now, hopefully everything will work again after that.

 

[robotica]

You could try calling Apple "tech support"

 

[lars666]

Ah, okay – deany probably meant this. Yes, but I'm afraid this wouldn't have lead to a solution either. Best thing to reinstall my Time Machine backup now, I guess, as even FreakinEureaks steps didn't work Somehow, a preference / permission file must have been unfortunately damaged with the hard reset.