[mingchichow]

I have an APG Powermac G4 400. Two days ago the clock in the menu bar stopped working staying frozen on the current time. When I placed the curser on the clock icon, I got the color beach ball, this also happened with he monitor and sound icon. A day after that, the computer would not start at all. I replaced the battery on the mother board and al was well except for the 3 icons on the menu. When I go into system preference, the time is correct and working. I also can not connect my card reader to iPhoto. It just does not see it although the icon shows up on the desktop.
So easy fix or is it going to die soon.
Everything else works fine...internet, mail office,etc.
When I go to put the system into sleep, it takes about 15-30 seconds to do so. This used to be immediate.
thanks for any help.

[Reboot]

Try throwing out com.apple.systemuiserver.plist, it's in HD/Users/you/Library/Preferences. Also in the Preferences folder is another folder called ByHost, look for com.apple.systemuiserver.xxxxxxxxxxx.plist and trash it, the x's are a random number letter string BTW. Log Out and back in.
Does it happen if you log in as another user?

[Reboot]

If the above doesn't work you can try throwing out com.apple.systempreferences.plist and the com.apple.finder.plist too. Some settings will change when you throw these out, but not Internet or anything important.

[mingchichow]

Tried what you suggested with the same results.
What were we getting rid of?
I do appreciate the help.

[Reboot]

plists are preferences for settings. These were ones that were modified when I removed the sound icon from mine.
Does it happen as another user too? You can set up a clean test user in Accounts preferences.

[mingchichow]

I am the only user so I did log out and in again. I will try setting up another user and see what happens

[mingchichow]

i logged out and set up a new account. That account worked and when I went back to my old account it also worked.
Thanks
I learn something new each day.
Much appreciated.
Does this mean I don't need a new computer? At least for the time being.
I am very happy.

[Reboot]

LOL. I've seen stuff like that happen before. Must be magic. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Glad it's fixed. If it's fast enough, you like it, and it does what you need, why get another one? /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif