Preview does not now work.

iMac G4 using OS 10.2.8 used Preview [2.0.1] happily since 2004 when a new hard drive was fitted by a "repairer".
No Apple software disks were provided containing OS 10.2.8.

Now Preview seems to not work - it will not open files such as PDF or JPG.

I do have older back up copies of the present hard disk, held on a LaCie drive, but I don't know how to replace my dodgy Preview with an earlier copy which I hope may be uncorrupted.

Because Preview.app seems to be owned by"root" I cannot do the usual process of renaming the faulty version "PreviewBAD".

Nor can I drag it to TRASH [ I get a message that "Preview is open so TRASH is not permitted" ].

Any ideas how to get a working version of Preview on my iMac?

I don't see any downloads on the APPLE WEB SITE for OS 10.2.8.

Easiest way is to just install adobe reader and use that

Have you tried using "sudo" in a terminal to rename the application? What about rebooting and dragging it to trash before doing anything else? Does that not work?

10.2.8combo http://support.apple.com/kb/DL645

Many thanks for those welcome suggestions.

1 "Easiest way is to just install adobe reader and use that"
I have had the free Adobe Acrobat Reader right from when the iMac was new.
BUT you cannot make a change to a pdf document, such as rotating the view, and then SAVE it.
To make a SAVE you need a paid-for Adobe product, not the Reader.
With Preview you can ROTATE and then SAVE a pdf document.

2 "Have you tried using "sudo" in a terminal to rename the application? What about rebooting and dragging it to trash before doing anything else? Does that not work?"
No. Letting me loose on 'sudo' is like giving a toddler a loaded firearm to play with.
I don't know enough about sudo/Terminal to try this approach.

3 "10.2.8combo http://support.apple.com/kb/DL645"
That was really informative - I had no idea that such a download was available.
Unfortunately it only upgrades OS to Mac OS X 10.2.8 (6R73) which is the version I already have.
There is apparently no way of seeing whether or not Preview is contained in that Combo Download, so I have decided to leave it alone till I get into calmer waters.
I may then try it as it may contain other worthwhile changes such as better security.


NOW for the good news.
After messing around trying to drag PREVIEW.app files from LaCie back up drive, and getting nowhere, I gave up and used SHUTDOWN [normally the iMac is just put to SLEEP overnight].

Next morning, re-start and PREVIEW 2.0.1 (v201) is there in APPLICATIONS and working normally, opening jpg and pdf files just as it did originally.
I have no idea what was wrong or why it now works - just grateful for small mercies.

Thanks for the help.

In reply to a post by DIOGENES:

I have no idea what was wrong or why it now works - just grateful for small mercies.

Even Macs can benefit from an occasional cold reboot

Though usually at intervals measured in months if mine are any guide...

3 "10.2.8combo http://support.apple.com/kb/DL645"
That was really informative - I had no idea that such a download was available.
Unfortunately it only upgrades OS to Mac OS X 10.2.8 (6R73) which is the version I already have.
There is apparently no way of seeing whether or not Preview is contained in that Combo Download, so I have decided to leave it alone till I get into calmer waters.
I may then try it as it may contain other worthwhile changes such as better security.

You can still run the combo at any time, it will fix any problems you may have with the OS.