[PeteHollings]

Ever since I installed the latest Apple upgrade (10.3.6) whenever I boot my Mac I find the icons for Sherlock, Mail and iChat mysteriously appearing in my Dock. I did not put these items in my Dock and even though I remove them they are back next time I boot up.
Can anyone tell me how to make them go away?
Thanks
Pete

[Nobody]

Is your dock plist locked?
~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.dock.plist

[PeteHollings]

Nope, it isn't locked
Pete

[griffman]

Are you the admin account on the machine? Almost sounds like you've got a restricted account. Also pardon the really basic question, but ... you aren't running those apps when you drag them out, right?
Finally, try just trashing that plist file, then use activity monitor to restart the dock.
-rob.

[PeteHollings]

Yep, I'm the admin on the computer (in fact I'm the only user). I am not using the applications when I try and dump them, in fact I can dump them out of the dock with no problem. It's only when I reboot the machine that they reappear.
I tried dumping the plist file as you suggested. But when I rebooted my Powerbook those same three apps mysteriously reappeared in the Dock
This is not really a huge deal but it is irritating
Pete

[arkman]

Have you rebuilt your permissions?

[albloom]

You're not alone. I was in Excel (2004) last week,
and when I quit, the PowerPoint icon appeared in
the dock. Graphic Converter magically appered the
other day. I just dragged GC out of the dock, but
PPT was problematic. The icon was unresponsive,
much like a public school administrator. Could't
drag it out of the dock. Clicking it did not
launch PPT. It was listed in things I could
force quit, so I force quit it. I think my Mac
is haunted.

[PeteHollings]

Yep, tried that too
Pete

[csj7936]

Are they set as "Start-up" items within your user account? I had this problem and un-checked them and it went away.
CJ

[PeteHollings]

Nope, checked that too. But thanks for the suggestion
Pete