Mac OSX "error parsing the file"--I need help!

[De Clarkson]

I have searched for help on this parsing error problem, and have found a
couple of posts, but I need more help…because I am NOT a programmer!  

I upgraded my Mac to OSX 10.9 in October.  It is not the latest operating
system, and I checked to make sure Gnucash would work.  I am running Gnucash
2.4.13.  After that I could not open Gnucash.  I have ignored Gnucash since
then, until I could fix it.  Tax time approaches.  When I try to open either
the application via the icon or a .gnucash file  I get the message:

There was an error parsing the file
file:///Users/<home>/Gnucash/Documents.gnucash."

I've looked in my Gnucash directory (<home>/Gnucash) and tried to open it
via several .gnucash files starting with the most recent.  I have over 50
.log files in that directory, but not every .log file has a matching
.gnucash file.  I've also tried importing a replay of a recent .log file but
it doesn't work, either.  The details are:

--open Gnucash icon or doubeclick on a .gnucash file, get above error
message.
--hit OK and "Unsaved Book-Gnucash" window appears.  It is not a Gnucash
ledger, but is blank, no way to make entries.
--Go to file and try to import a recent log file.  When I hit Open nothing
happens and the Unsaved Book--Gnucash remains as it is.  

I am very worried about how to go about fixing things because of my
inexperience.  First for my questions:

1.  If I were to find one of the older .gnucash files that did open
successfully (I don't understand why they would all not work), would I then
ruin any data from a more recent .log file so it wouldn't open?  

2.  If I can find a .gnucash file (or import a .log file) and get it to
open, I'm happy to try to recreate all my many many many entries from
subsequent log files.  I see in the log files I have the info I need, and
-2000/100 must mean a debit of $20.  Why all the END STARTS right after
another with nothing between?  But, I've got to get a .log file to open or
import first.

In searching the forum, I found this post () that mentions <trn:date-posted>
elements and a file called 2013Accounts.gnucash.  I have no idea how to find
the <trn…> info he mentions and I don't have any files with similar names in
my Gnucash folder.  

I've also tried to access a trace file by going to the terminal and typing

$ find /var/folders -name gnucash.trace

but permission was denied.  Not sure how I would give myself permission to
see my trace files!  (I'm assuming I didn't have to type the $ and only
typed "find…") 

I don't know what else to do!

Please please please help me!  As you can see, I really don't know what I'm
doing when it comes to fixing this error, or delving into Gnucash to see
what the issue is.



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