i work in a huge office with people using maya all day and these basic problems never happen for us. I've never once had to delete preferences and don't know anyone who has. When i see people on here complaining about the software, i can't help but think its some how user error.
good for you....maybe it is to do with the fact that your workstations are essentially dumb terminals..I bet you have no admin privileges right? can't install or unzip stuff? Some of us have to use the toolset beyond that restricted environment