Setting the size and shape layout of my hard drive

R. Frank Jones wrote:

I open the hard drive logo the first time,

I always set it for 'list', and change the shape to tall and narrow, move it to the right side of the screen, and leave the arrow on 'Users' pointing down so I can get right to my files.

One time for this and it never changes, right?

Not now. .. a restart, the Macintosh HD opens as a big square in the middle of the screen and I have to reset it all over again.

Any ideas why this very basic thing has changed, or is it just my iMac that's doing this?

Are you talking about a Finder window size and shape?

Finder does seem to have a hard time remembering how it gets set—sometimes it does sometimes it doesn't.

I certainly have not figured out a rhyme or reason..

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R. Frank Jones--

Here's a solution, one that is not perfect but hopefully better than what you currently have:

1. If you have't done it already, add "Macintosh HD" to your user Login Items. (Go to System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items tab, press the + symbol, and add "Macintosh HD")
2. Open (or if already open, then click on) the "Macintosh HD" window and set it to your desired location and size.
3. With the "Macintosh HD" window still selected, go to the menu bar to View and click on Show Tab Bar. You should see the tab bar appear on the "Macintosh HD" window.

Now, as long as you don't close or move the "Macintosh HD" window, it should reappear in the same place when you reboot.

Best of luck!