Final Cut Studio 2 and Compressor

Many have had problems with Compressor not launching. It is something Apple will need to address but until that time, this Apple doc offers the solution. Follow all the steps. -Steve B)

Hello from Apple!

Sigurd at Apple Service & Support thought that you might find this article useful. We hope that it helps resolve your technical issue.

Link: http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n302845

Compressor: Troubleshooting basics

Symptom

If Compressor isn't starting up properly or performing normally, try these basic troubleshooting steps to remedy the situation. Please note that these steps aren't exhaustive, and are not intended to cover any specific issue. They are fundamental, basic steps that are most effective in getting Compressor into good working order, and are the steps most often suggested by AppleCare Technical Support.

Solution

Confirm versions

Update to the latest software versions.

Choose Software Update from the Apple menu and make sure that you have the most recent updates for your versions of Compressor, QMaster, QuickTime, and other important system files. Installing the latest updates ensures that your software has the latest improvements and enhancements.

Check compatibility and driver versions for third-party devices.

If you're using a third-party capture card, storage system, input device, or something else, check the support area on the manufacturer's website to be sure that you're using the latest version of the relevant driver or other software for your device.

Confirm your computer's name in Sharing

A Computer Name and a Local Hostname must be populated in the Sharing pane in System Preferences (even if sharing is not enabled for any services).

Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu.

Click Sharing.

If the Computer Name field is blank, enter a name.

Click the Edit button.

If there is not a name in the Local Hostname field, enter a name.

Delete the User Preferences

You can resolve many issues by restoring Compressor back to its original settings. This will not impact your project files. To reset your Compressor user preference settings to their original state, do the following:

In the Finder, go to ~/Library/Preferences—the tilde (~) represents your Home folder.

Remove the following files from the Preferences folder:

com.apple.Compressor.CompressorSharedService.plist

com.apple.compressor.Compressor.plist

Note: This will not delete any custom settings that you may have created. Custom settings are stored in ~/Library/Application Support/Compressor.

Repair File Permissions

Close all the files and applications that you have open.

Open Disk Utility (located in the Utilities folder in Applications) and select your startup disk in the list on the left.

Click First Aid.

Click the Repair Disk Permissions button.

Remove and reinstall Compressor

To reinstall Compressor effectively, you need to remove the application, its receipts and associated files, then install Compressor and use Software Update to install additional updates. Follow the steps below to completely reinstall a fresh copy of Compressor. Note: Make sure that you have the installation discs for the application that Compressor was bundled with and the serial number handy before starting this.

Use Finder to remove the following listed items:

/Applications/Apple Qadministrator.app

/Applications/Apple Qmaster.app

/Applications/Compressor.app

/Applications/Utilities/Batch Monitor.app

/Library/Application Support/Apple Qmaster (the folder)

/Library/Frameworks/AECore.framework

/Library/Frameworks/Compressor.framework

/Library/Frameworks/MediaServerAPI.framework

/Library/Frameworks/Qmaster.framework

/Library/Logs/Qmaster (the folder)

/Library/PreferencePanes/Apple Qmaster.prefPane

/Library/Receipts/Compressor.pkg

/Library/Receipts/Qmaster.pkg

/Library/Receipts/Qmaster_Frameworks.pkg

/Library/StartupItems/Qmaster (the folder)

In Finder, choose Go > Go to Folder.

Type the following path:

/usr/sbin/

Click the Go button.

Locate the following items from that Finder folder, and drag them to the Trash:

qmasterca

qmasterd

qmasterprefs

qmasterqd

In Finder, choose Go > Go to Folder.

Type the following path:

/var/spool/qmaster/

Click the Go button.

If there are any folders inside the qmaster directory, drag them to the Trash.

From your install disc, reinstall Compressor and Apple Qmaster.

When finished, use Software Update (under the Apple menu) to update your software to the latest version.

Thank you,

Apple

Thanks Steve. Haven't hit this yet but just geting up and running on FCS2 still.

-shawn