Finder wackiness

[DP]

Just started doing this. I can't Shut Down or Restart. I click on Shut Down and nothing happens or I get the SBBOD for a second or two then nothing.
I discovered it when I tried to eject an external HD (FW) and it wouldn't eject. Then I plugged in a camera card through USB and it wouldn't eject either. I also clicked on an image to open up and it wouldn't; it just sits there.
I relaunched Finder which does a grey screen for a few seconds then returns to normal. Since the relaunch, I can open an image in Preview but when I've tried to Restart or Shut Down to reset the computer it won't without doing a hard shut down. Tried RP but no luck.
What next?
iMac 2.0 Core Duo 2GB ram 10.4.11.

[anonymouse1]

Try the usual voodoo:

Run Disk Utility from the Install Disk

Reset PRAM

Reset NVRAM

Install and run Applejack

Run Disk Warrior

Reinstall OS.

[DP]

>the usual voodoo
Merlin's pants! That's a lot of work! Maybe I'll just buy a new Mac...

[Article Accelerator]

- physically disconnect all peripherals except keyboard and mouse
- safe boot

- restart normally
- shutdown

- if it's okay now, restart and add back peripherals

If the problem recurs, you know the source(s) of the issue.

[DP]

Have never done a safe boot. How do I do that?

[Article Accelerator]

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107392
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107393
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107394

[DP]

Thanx, all.