Solution 1: Update to Mac OS X v.10.2.8 or later.
You can download the update to Mac OS X v.10.2.x from the Apple website at
You can find information about upgrading to Mac OS X v. 10.3.x on the Apple website at
Solution 2: Re-create the InDesign preferences files.
Damaged InDesign preferences files can cause InDesign to behave unexpectedly. You can re-create the InDesign
preferences files to determine if the problem is related to them.
Note: Re-creating the InDesign preferences files restores settings to their defaults.
To re-create the InDesign preferences files:
1. Quit InDesign.
2. Rename the InDesign SavedData file and the InDesign Defaults file (for example, to InDesign SavedData.old, InDesign Defaults.old) in the following location:
[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe InDesign/Version 3.0.
3. Start InDesign. InDesign creates new preference files.
4. If the problem persists, you can restore the original preferences by deleting the new files and renaming the old preference files back to their original names.
If the problem recurs after you re-create the InDesign preferences files, the problem isn't related to preferences files.
Solution 3: Delete adobefnt*.lst files.
1. At the Finder, choose File > Find.
2. Type Adobefnt.lst or Adobefnt05.lst or Adobefnt06.lst, select the system drive, and then press Return.
3. Delete all Adobefnt.lst, Adobefnt05.lst, and Adobefnt06.lst files found.
4. Start InDesign.
Solution 4: Install InDesign with base fonts.
Move fonts out of the Fonts folder in the Library folder before installing InDesign.
To disable fonts in Mac OS Font Book or move the fonts out of the Fonts folders and install InDesign, do one of the following procedures:
-- Mac OS X v.10.3.x:
1. Open a new window in the Finder and start Font Book from the Applications folder.
2. Click the triangle to the left of All Fonts.
3. In the Collection column, click Computer and then select all the fonts in the next column.
4. Click Disable at the bottom of the Font column.
5. Install InDesign.
Note: If steps 1-5 do not resolve the problem, repeat steps 3 - 5 for User and Classic in the Collection column.
-- Mac OS X v.10.2.x:
1. Create a folder on the desktop named Mac Fonts.
2. Double-click the Macintosh HD drive icon on the desktop.
3. Open the Library/Fonts folder.
4. Choose Edit > Select All, and then drag the contents of this folder (both fonts and subfolders) to the Mac Fonts folder on the desktop.
5. Restart the computer.
6. Install InDesign.
7. When installation is complete, move all of the fonts back into the Library/Fonts folder.
Note: If this doesn't resolve the problem, repeat steps 3-7, moving the contents of the [user]/Library/Fonts and System Folder/Fonts folders to the Mac Fonts folder on the desktop.
Solution 5: Remove prior installations of InDesign.
If an earlier version of InDesign is installed on the computer, or if a previous installation attempt failed, remove and reinstall InDesign. Deleting these files frees up hard disk space and prevents problems if the installer can't overwrite them the next time that you run it.
To remove InDesign files from a previous installation:
1. Quit InDesign.
2. Move files that you wish to save from the Adobe InDesign [version]application folder to another folder on the hard disk.
3. Drag the Adobe InDesign [version]application folder to the Trash.
4. Empty the Trash. If you receive a message that items are locked items and cannot be deleted, press Option as you choose Special > Empty Trash.
5. Restart the computer.
Solution 6: Install from within a new user account.
Occasionally, a user account can become corrupted and prevent the installer from accessing or creating the necessary files and folders. Create a new user account with administrator privileges, log into the new account, and then try to install InDesign.
To create a new user account:
1. From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences.
2. Click Accounts.
3. Click the Users tab, and then click New User.
4. Create a new user account. Make sure to remember the new password and to give the account administrator privileges by selecting Allow User To Administer This Computer.
5. Click OK and close the Accounts window.
6. Choose Log Out form the Apple menu.
7. Log into the new user account.
Solution 7: Run InDesign in Safe Mode.
To start Mac OS X in Safe Mode:
1. Restart the computer, and hold down the Shift key immediately after you hear the chimes.
2. Release the Shift key when the Apple logo appears. When the Macintosh is in Safe Mode, the words Safe Boot appear.
