finder disappeared? (mac) (1 Viewer)

[Born Dancer]

arrrrrrgh.

ok so i was copying some files from my ibook to my ipod when i tripped the cord and accidentally came unplugged. i also made the computer think too hard by trying to copy about 17 song files at once (this is using my ipod like a memory stick, without using itunes)

the finder froze, and i was unable to do anything, couldnt restart or anything. my sister in her infinite wisdom ran in telling me she could relaunch the finder. but when she did, something happened and our files that were sitting on the desktop have disappeared. the files themselves havent gone missing (i can access them via applications such as word) but the finder itself doesnt appear to exist. the top toolbar has gone transparent (the white bar that normally appears at the top of the screen on the desktop) and if i am in an application and click on the desktop to return to the finder, nothing happens.

suggestions?? i dont know exactly how the finder can "disappear" as such

 

[Born Dancer]

Continue to relaunch finder or force a restart, both should fix the issue.

Don't unplug running drives... just... don't.

well i didnt mean to unplug the ipod, i tripped the cord. and it was frozen prior to that i think.. i made it do too much

i cant restart it. i tried to shut it down also but it just sleeps and then wakes up to the same problem.. i tried leaving it uncharged so the battery ran out but again, slept and then same thing.

 

[withoutaface]

I'm no expert on macs, but the brute force solution would be to unplug it at the wall and plug it in to restart if it doesn't want to do it the proper way.

 

[AntiHyper]

I'm no expert on macs, but the brute force solution would be to unplug it at the wall and plug it in to restart if it doesn't want to do it the proper way.

I think she said it's an iBook (ie. it's got a battery).

Isn't there a pinhole where you can press to reset the system?

For most situations, a restart is sufficient. If the computer has stopped responding, try these steps, in order, until the computer responds:

1. Force Quit (Option-Command-Escape)
2. Restart (Control-Command-Power)
3. Force Shut Down (press the power button for 10 seconds)

EDIT: I think the "Command" button is the one with the weird symbol

 

[lcf]

Ok
Here is what you have to do to get back to a healthy system.

To turn off the iBook completely, open the screen, and hold the power button for about 6 seconds, you will here the computer click as it turns off.

Wait a few seconds, turn it on again.

It should boot up fine and your finder will be back. To make sure the force shut down hasn't done anythign nasty, go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility, and run a scan (Verify/Repair) on your internal hard disk.

Once it is done, and assuming everythign is fine, re-connect the iPod and try copying one song across. If it works, drag the other 16 across. The iBook/iPod can handle it, don't worry.

Also, the songs that you were copying to the iPod, that are on the iPod prior to the trip, may be corrupted - so best to trash them and start again.

 

[lcf]

oh and if it doesn't restart well, do it again but this time hold down OPTION COMMAND (Apple symbol key) P and R together - keep holding them down until you hear the computers start up chime three times. This flushes out the memory - so it should erradicate any errors.