MacBook Pro Ventura: Problem creating PDF Files with Songsheet Generator and ChordSmith

Question

Level 1

8 points

MacBook Pro Ventura: Problem creating PDF Files with Songsheet Generator and ChordSmith

Problem in main User Area creating PDF files from programs Songsheet Generator and ChordSmith since about 25 Oct 2025 though possibly earlier but I did not know until then.

These problems do not occur in another User Area that I set up to test any issues with programs.

MacBook Pro 15" 2017

Ventura 13.7.8 (22H730)

(The most up to date OS supported by this computer)

Songsheet Generator (SG) is the program that I am most concerned to sort out.

"Songsheet Generator is an application which prints songsheets and songbooks for home, small group, or large group overhead use. The program runs on . . . Mac OS X (Java-based native .app), and any platform that supports Java 1.5 (.jar file)."

https://tenbyten.com/software/songsgen/

I downloaded a new copy of SG and there were the same problems generating PDF files in the Problem User Area. Same problem whether sending to Preview, Printing or Saving, ie. nothing happens.

Library/Preferences files in the Problem User Area:

com.tenbyten.SG02.chordrc

com.tenbyten.SG02.keyvalue

com.tenbyten.SG02.plist.lockfile

com.tenbyten.SG02.plist

com.tenbyten.SG02.props

com.tenbyten.SG02.props.default

Library/Preferences files in the Test User Area (no problems):

com.tenbyten.SG02.chordrc

com.tenbyten.SG02.keyvalue

com.tenbyten.SG02.props

com.tenbyten.SG02.props.default

Problem User Area:

Renaming and/or removing the plist file made no difference after restarting.

Java:

Version 8, Update 471

Release date: October 21, 2025

(latest version)

Any ideas would be gratefully received!

MacBook Pro 15″

Posted on Dec 17, 2025 6:47 AM

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Answer 1

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,254 points

Dec 18, 2025 3:32 AM in response to ms.mousette

Work with the vendor(s) of Songsheet Generator and Chordsmith. Verify that the versions you have installed meet the macOS and Java version requirements. This may require you to entirely uninstall these applications (and Java) from the current problematic account and perform their reinstallation. The vendor(s) should be able to help with that process.

As macOS Ventura has fallen off the customary Apple current and two previous operating system version cycle, there will be no updates forthcoming for macOS Ventura.

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Answer 2

ms.mousette Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 18, 2025 5:13 AM in response to VikingOSX

"Work with the vendor(s) of Songsheet Generator and Chordsmith. Verify that the versions you have installed meet the macOS and Java version requirements. This may require you to entirely uninstall these applications (and Java) from the current problematic account and perform their reinstallation. The vendor(s) should be able to help with that process."

Good advice VikingOSX but I have already done all that.

I have spent about 20 hours in total researching the Programs and information provided about any difficulties, corresponding with the creator of SG, uninstalling and re-installing the Programs and Java and testing outcomes in the Problem User Area and Test User Area.

The creator of Songsheet Generator suggested some possible solutions but these did not make any difference and he has said that he cannot help any further. I do not think he is being unreasonable, not least because the problem is clearly nothing to do with the program.

I have followed all the instructions already provided by the creator of Chordsmith should any problems arise. There are similar problems with a related program Chord5. I am less concerned about these two programs though and believe they will be resolved when the underlying issue with the Problem User Area is resolved.

I do not believe that the problems are anything to do with any of these programs or the Java installation or Ventura, for the following reasons:

I have already uninstalled and reinstalled the programs and Java from the Problem User Area and verified that the versions are up to date and compatible: the problems persist.
I have recreated the same conditions in the Test User Area: there are no problems.

I have also run Disk Utility First Aid and no problems were found.

There is something going wrong in the Problem User Area preventing the creation of PDF files by programs that use Java. What it might be, I have no idea. There must be some difference between the two User Areas but I do not know what it is.

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