System config: Intel iMac (2006), OSX 10.4.11, 2GB RAM
Trying to install LW 4.18 (this has been happening since 4.5! and no change yet--was hoping it was a bug that would be fixed in a later release but apparently not)

This has been repeated dozens of times over iterations of LW 4: Installer runs, apparently w/ no problems. When Setup Wizard dialog box appears, the window is blank, except for "Cancel" button in lower right. It seems to be a conflict with some other piece of software on my machine, although I'm having no problems with any other app. I'm unable to proceed with configuration, only the cancel works. By clicking around the blank box I discovered that at least one "mystery item" functions: when clicking in the lower left corner I'm able to cause a blank drop-down menu to appear that drops below and off the box. I can't read what's in it but I can see the slider but only the part that extends below the dialog box.

Any ideas? I'm guessing there's a problem with something in my Library?

It could be an account specific issue. Try setting up a test account & see if same issue; Setting up a Test Account in OSX (click on link).

If same issue, might I suggest you try installing LW 4.16. http://www.gnutellaforums.com/mac-os...tml#post271009.

Also try changing your Java version priority around: Setting up Java 1.5; drag the first preference to the top of the list.

If you have not done it recently, I'd recommend a Safe Boot & Repair permissions: SAFE Boot & Repair Permissions

Thanks for the suggestions!

With your guidance I believe I have isolated the problem, more or less. When I try to open the Java prefs for J2SE 5, the window is blank--just like the LimeWire setup window! When I then go to open Java 4.2 settings, the window is blank again. When I open Java 1.3.1 I get the dialog box.

I was able to install LimeWire just fine on a second account I set up on my machine.

I downloaded an J2SE 5 installer from apple.com but it wouldn't install. I couldn't get past the step that identifies volumes available for installing.

So I'm guessing that the problem lies somewhere in my Java installation, going back to Java 4. Do you have any thoughts about this?

One last thought: I use Firefox browser, the most recent version. For more than a year, I've noticed that buttons on all web pages (such as the "Post Quick Reply" and "Go Advanced" just below this window) do not show; only the words themselves. It's been a minor annoyance, and I've posted on the Firefox forum for help on that, but have received no replies. Now I suspect that this may be a symptom of the same issue I'm having with LimeWire.

Definitely sounds like an account problem. One option is to back up all your personal files, then do a clean install, erasing the disk drive at same time. Then after setting back up copying your personal files back. Time machine is good at doing that. However I would not recommend backing up library because it may have corrupt java or other files.

Another option is you migrate your personal files across to the Test account & use that account instead. That is of course if you do not suffer the same issues with Java.

If you do not do one of those things, you will continue to have the same problems. It's best to bite the bullet & reinstall the system or if the 2nd account is ok then to move across to that one instead.

When doing updates after installation if that's your choice, choose the offline stand alone combo installer. It's the safest & has all the updates in one installer file. They are usually very large files however.

I agree with you that the only sure way of fixing this is to erase the hard drive. I am running Tiger, as I have not upgraded and do not intend to until I buy a new computer--probably next year.

Big problem for me is that I don't seem to be able to find my install disk. After 2 moves it's probably buried deep in storage. I'm guessing there's no way for me to reinstall without the disk. Any ideas if there's a next-best approach worth trying, short of taking hours to dive into my store room?

Did you try the java options on the Test account? Are you able to install Java 1.5 from there? If your Test account is given admin permissions it can be used for installing apple updates, etc. And also as suggested above, migrating your files from main account across. Then eventually deleting your main account & renaming your Test account. I did that once after my main account became corrupted due to a particular program (not LW).

lol I've misplaced installation disks also (on my G4 I upgraded from 10.1 or 10.2 up to 10.4 step by step over the years).