SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to rebuild the desktop on your computer, the System may fail to rebuild it properly. This behavior is noticeable if "generic" icons (icons missing some display information) appear on the desktop before you rebuild it; generic icons usually appear correctly after you rebuild the desktop. In some cases, the icons may appear correctly but appear misaligned.

CAUSE

This behavior may occur when you rebuild the desktop while extensions (files that add functionality to your Macintosh system) are loaded into memory. Some extensions, particularly those that control or manage fonts, modify the desktop. When these extensions are in use, the System may not rebuild the desktop properly.

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, disable extensions before you rebuild the desktop. To do this, use the following steps:

1. If the computer is on, click Restart on the Special menu.

   If the computer is off, turn the computer on.

2. Press and hold the SHIFT key while the computer is starting.
3. When the "Welcome to Macintosh. Extensions Off." message box appears, release the SHIFT key and immediately press and hold the COMMAND+OPTION keys.
4. In the dialog box that prompts you to confirm whether you want to rebuild the desktop, click OK, and release the COMMAND+OPTION keys.

   A status bar appears while the System rebuilds the desktop.

You should rebuild the desktop on a regular basis, as frequently as once per month, to maintain overall system performance. The desktop consists of hidden files that store information about the files, folders, and other resources on the hard disk.

Some programs may not register information correctly in the desktop, or the desktop may not be updated when extensions are loaded during the setup process. As a result, the programs may hang (stop responding) or display error messages.

A generic icon for a program appears as a diamond-shaped icon with a hand holding a pencil. A generic icon for a document appears as a blank page with a dog-ear. If generic icons were not visible before you rebuilt the desktop, it is difficult to determine whether the desktop was rebuilt correctly.