Why is Dropbox erring on startup

dropbox

I opened up Dropbox and received this error:

Dropbox Error

I am on an Intel i5 MBP running 10.6.8. Dropbox is version 1.1.45.

Console log:

11/1/11 9:54:56 AM  [0x0-0x156156].com.getdropbox.dropbox[2434] 'import site' failed; use -v for traceback
11/1/11 9:54:56 AM  [0x0-0x156156].com.getdropbox.dropbox[2434] Traceback (most recent call last):
11/1/11 9:54:56 AM  [0x0-0x156156].com.getdropbox.dropbox[2434]   File "Resources/__boot__.py", line 103, in <module>
11/1/11 9:54:56 AM  [0x0-0x156156].com.getdropbox.dropbox[2434]   File "Resources/__boot__.py", line 101, in _argv_emulation
11/1/11 9:54:56 AM  [0x0-0x156156].com.getdropbox.dropbox[2434]   File "Resources/__boot__.py", line 7, in _get_argvemulator
11/1/11 9:54:56 AM  [0x0-0x156156].com.getdropbox.dropbox[2434] zipimport.ZipImportError: can't decompress data; zlib not available
11/1/11 9:54:56 AM  Dropbox[2434]   Dropbox Error
11/1/11 9:54:56 AM  Dropbox[2434]   Dropbox Error An unexpected error has occurred during execution of the main script
ZipImportError: can't decompress data; zlib not available
11/1/11 9:54:58 AM  com.apple.launchd.peruser.504[607]  ([0x0-0x156156].com.getdropbox.dropbox[2434]) Exited with exit code: 255

Best Answer

Google showed that it is the case with 10.3 while Dropbox only support 10.4 and upwards.

Judging by the screenshot it is not your case so there is either a problem with zlib on your system or with permissions. Then either Disk Utility or booting from install disk and repair user permissions might help.

If nothing above try to remove Dropbox with a cleaner app and install anew.