Desktop icons line up - but I don't want that

[Julie Zilko]

Hi, I have iMac OS 10.9.5. I've always loved one element of Macs over PCs and that's the fact that you can put your desktop icons anywhere you want to.

About a month ago (I must have clicked something) they all started to line up, and I have absolutely no control over where I put the icons on my desktop. It's driving me mad!

Can anyone tell me how to loosen the control over desktop icons so I can move them around at will?

Thanks Julie

 

[Spawn_Dooley]

Try this … in Finder choose View ~> Sort By ~> None

 

[Julie Zilko]

Oh Spawn, I thought you had the answer – but under 'view' I don't have a 'sort by' button. What do I do now?

 

[Spawn_Dooley]

Oh Spawn, I thought you had the answer – but under 'view' I don't have a 'sort by' button. What do I do now?

Click on the Desktop then check again, here is my menu

Otherwise, look for "Snap To Grid" & make sure it's deselected ...

 

[Julie Zilko]

Hi Spawn, I think you've helped me. I looked up more ideas (using yours as a core idea) and found an path to 'none'. And I think it worked! Thanks so much for your help... I HATE being controlled!

 

[Julie Zilko]

I found the solution on the right-click (I have a PC mouse), but it wasn't under view, it was on the desktop itself. Thanks for your help. Cheers Julie

 

[Julie Zilko]

Hi Spawn, I have another problem... I'm trying to trash icons (and files) from my desktop and continue to get
"The operation can’t be completed because one or more required items can’t be found.
(Error code -43)"

Do you know what this is and how to fix it?
Thanks Julie

 

[Spawn_Dooley]

I found the solution on the right-click (I have a PC mouse), but it wasn't under view, it was on the desktop itself. Thanks for your help. Cheers Julie

Yes, I have that same option also available in my mouse right-click, I'm still on 10.7.6 Lion so things might have been rearranged a little for you in 10.9.5.

 

[Spawn_Dooley]

Hi Spawn, I have another problem... I'm trying to trash icons (and files) from my desktop and continue to get
"The operation can’t be completed because one or more required items can’t be found.
(Error code -43)"

Do you know what this is and how to fix it?
Thanks Julie

That's a File System error message … what are the files/icons? Are you seeing this error when you try to empty the Trash?

 

[Julie Zilko]

I'm seeing this error when I try to put anything in the trash... photos, files, etc. The trash is empty right now.

 

[Spawn_Dooley]

First I would try re-booting, have you done this since this issue began?

Next I would repair Permissions using Disc Utility

 

[Julie Zilko]

I feel like such a dill Spawn... I rebooted and the error message disappeared and the rubbish was able to move to the trash. Perhaps that's the answer to half the problems on this site?
Cheers Julie

 

[Julie Zilko]

Okay, I know I 'm taking advantage of your goodwill, but I have one more issue. Often (very often) when I open iPhoto the wheel of death appears. I go to 'force quit' and it pretty much always needs quitting and restarting. Why is this happening, do you think?

 

[Spawn_Dooley]

Don't feel like a dill … love that expression btw! Hope it's not pouring up there as it is down here! Hasn't stopped!

Glad it's all getting sorted out for you Julie! Often it's a good idea to reboot as this sometimes clears out the cobwebs ...

Have you gone and repaired Permissions?

Do you roughly know how large your iPhoto Library is?

Do you have plenty of free space on your internal drive?