17" G4 Powerbook relaunches Finder constatly

About every 90 seconds my 17" Powerbook relaunches the Finder regardless of whatever app I am running, and brings the finder and any open folders to the fore. If I shut one of the folders, it reappears in the same place when the finder relaunches. This goes on and on and interrupts work, but it doesn't seem to affect whatever app I am running, except to kick it to the back when it relaunches. Does anyone have a clue as to how to fix this. I have rebuilt the Desktop with Disk Warrior, repaired the permissions and rebooted zapping the Parameter ram. This is a crazy hiccup and it's driving me nuts. Help!
Patrick

Hi Patrick,
It's likely some 3rd Party APP that got broken by the recent QT or Security update.
Stuffit AVR has been a big one, if you have that use the Pref Pane to turn it off, but others have been implicated too. Check System Preferences for a Stuffit Pref Pane and disable AVR.
One way to test is to Safe Boot from the HD, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, Test for action in Safe Mode...
Reboot, test again.
If it only does it in Regular Boot, then it is some 3rd party add-on, Check System Preferences>Accounts>Login Items window to see if it or something relevant is listed.
Also look in these if they exist, some are invisible...
/private/var/run/StartupItems
/Library/StartupItems
/System/Library/StartupItems
See...
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1873700&tstart=0

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Anyone as frustrated as i am...just bought a brand new 13" powerbook to find that I can't load my adobe creative suite 2.3 software! i need solutions that do not involve spending more $$$$ one the newest version.

Is anyone as frustrated as i am...just bought a brand new 13" powerbook to find that I can't load my adobe creative suite 2.3 software using the lion os! I need solutions that do not involve spending more $$$$ one the newest CS version. After googling problem, I find I am not the only one. Apple told me Creative Suite 3 would work, but others said no. Version 5.5 seems to be most reliable. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

No, you're not the only person who failed to do any homework before making your purchase. You will have to upgrade your Adobe software at the very least. Before you post another complaint about what doesn't run see
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Relaunching Finder after usb key crashes Tiger???

1. Often times on my work and home computers I will double-click on my mounted usb jump drive and finder will crash. The spinning beach ball will never stop spinning. Is this a common problem? Just curious because it happens on 2 of my computers. Any idea why it might be doing this?
2. What is the point of relaunching Finder? Every time I do so, only part of my desktop displays and I am not able to do anything so I have to cut the power to the computer. Is there any point to relaunching Finder?

Hi, kat.
By the numbers:
1. There could be one or more of the following problems with the USB flash drive:1.1. It's disk directory could be corrupted. Check it with Disk Utility > Repair Disk.
1.2. The invisible .DS_Store file at the root level of the USB drive could be corrupted. These files contain data used by Finder to display the folder window, such as View Options, icon positions, and window position.1. Download and install the shareware application Cocktail. Be sure to use the latest, Tiger-specific version.
2. Launch Cocktail.
3. Click Files in the Cocktail toolbar.
4. Click the DS Store tab.
5. Decide if you want to delete the .DS_Store file:(a) Only at the root level of a specific volume or folder.
(b) At both the root level of a single volume or folder and all subfolders therein.If (a), do not select the "Search subfolders" checkbox in the DS Store tab. If (b), select the "Search subfolders" checkbox in the DS Store tab.
Selecting "Search subfolders" in the DS Store tab will remove the .DS_Store files within subfolders of the volume or folder you select in the next step, resetting the View Options of the selected volume or folder — and all subfolders therein — to default View Options.
In your case, selecting "Search subfolders" would be a good move.
6. Click Chose.
7. In the resulting window navigate-to and select the affected volume, or folder. For example, you might want to select your Home folder.
8. Click Choose.
9. Click Delete in the resulting confirmation dialog.
Cocktail will delete the .DS_Store file in the volume or folder you selected in step 6, and all subfolders therein if you selected "Search subfolders" in step 5.1.3. A file at the root level of the drive could be corrupted or have a corrupted preview icon. See my "Finding corrupted files" FAQ.Note that most USB flash drives come formatted for Windows by default. If you are only using the USB flash drive with Macs, consider reformatting it to "Mac OS Extended" format.
2. Relaunching Finder is useful both to correct certain Finder anomalies, e.g. the Network icon displays as a folder instead of a sphere, and after deleting Finder's preferences in certain cases — see my "Finder Issues? How to delete its preferences" FAQ for details.
However, you wrote: "...I have to cut the power to the computer..."which can lead to other problems. Therefore, I recommend you run at least steps 1-3 of the Procedure outlined in my "Resolving Disk, Permission, and Cache Corruption" FAQ to also correct any problems that may have been introduced by your "cut the power" actions.
Good luck!
Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X
Note: The information provided in the link(s) above is freely available. However, because I own The X Lab™, a commercial Web site to which some of these links point, the Apple Discussions Terms of Use require I include the following disclosure statement with this post:
I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.

USB transfer hangs, Finder freezes - cannot relaunch Finder

Is there a way to FORCE a relaunch of the Finder when it hangs during a USB transfer (to a mobile phone) ?
I use Relaunch Finder, Actitivity Monitor, etc, to no avail. The Finder will not re-launch.
Everything else works (such as this Safari use of Apple Forums).
Restarting the Mac is a drag.

Eric,
I really thank you for your quick response. Before I try that, I need to explain something I just did- My time machine backup external hard drive is actually a guardian maximus 2 slot raid 1 setup to mirror so I have 2 disks. Before I do anything to reset time machine, I took that Guardian Maximus and tried to connect direct to my computer to read it. It would not recognize it. then I took out BOTH hard drives and tried to read them individually. Disk Utility said BOTH needed repair. The odd thing is that the Guardian lights did not turn red on either one- both lights green. Which is what its supposed to do. Any suggestions based on this information?
I really do appreciate all you in the forum provide.
Skip

Frozen CPU, unable to relaunch Finder...

Hi,
I have several problems but I guess they're all due to the same thing, except that I cannot find what it is!!!
The CPU works fine...until I try to open an Application, or a drive (I have 3 SCSI), then it freezes the application window (or drive window) and I cannot close it anymore, nor I can force quit (I can see "Application not responding" or Finder Not Responding but if I click on Force Quit or relaunch Finder, nothing happens). I have of course run the Cocktail Application to no effect, then the Disk Utility, repair Permissions, to no effect either.
It's virus free (well if there is one Virus Barrier didn't detect it).
I dunno what it is but it freezes on simple applications like Text Edit, that sort of things. There is not a particular application. It does it on anything. Sometimes I don't have any trouble for hours, sometimes it just happens after 5 minutes!
And of course, I can't restart or shut down the CPU. I have to "hold the button..." since the finder won't work.
I also tried the "Restart Finder" in File Buddy to no effect.
I really have no idea what to do? Any help much appreciated!

Well it's a little bit like Chinese to me. However, I do not see anything strange!?
It just says it wrote reports to the log on some applications I opened when it crashes (like File Buddy, Soundtrack, Safari...).
Here it is:
Fri Dec 22 19:08:53 2006 crashdump[278]: Started writing crash report to: /Users/fifi1/Library/Logs/CrashReporter/File Buddy.crash.log
Fri Dec 22 19:08:54 2006 crashdump[278]: Finished writing crash report to: /Users/fifi1/Library/Logs/CrashReporter/File Buddy.crash.log
Fri Dec 22 19:16:58 2006 crashdump[159]: crashdump invoked as panicdump
Sat Dec 23 19:52:27 2006 crashdump[153]: crashdump invoked as panicdump
Sun Dec 24 02:26:39 2006 crashdump[192]: crashdump invoked as panicdump
Sun Dec 24 02:29:16 2006 crashdump[187]: crashdump invoked as panicdump
Sun Dec 24 03:41:55 2006 crashdump[167]: crashdump invoked as panicdump
Sun Dec 24 18:12:00 2006 crashreporterd[121]: pidfortask 3007 failed: (os/kern) failure
Sun Dec 24 18:12:00 2006 crashreporterd[121]: taskset_exceptionports failed: (os/kern) invalid argument
Sun Dec 24 18:12:00 2006 crashdump[369]: crashdump started
Sun Dec 24 18:12:00 2006 crashdump[369]: Crashdump invoked with pid 0
Sun Dec 24 18:12:00 2006 crashreporterd[121]: mach_msg() reply failed: (ipc/send) invalid destination port
Sun Dec 24 18:12:00 2006 crashdump[369]: Started writing crash report to: /Library/Logs/CrashReporter/???.crash.log
Sun Dec 24 18:12:00 2006 crashdump[369]: Finished writing crash report to: /Library/Logs/CrashReporter/???.crash.log
Sun Dec 24 18:16:40 2006 crashdump[302]: crashdump started
Sun Dec 24 18:16:42 2006 crashdump[302]: Started writing crash report to: /Users/fifi1/Library/Logs/CrashReporter/java_swt.crash.log
Sun Dec 24 18:16:46 2006 crashdump[302]: Finished writing crash report to: /Users/fifi1/Library/Logs/CrashReporter/java_swt.crash.log
Sun Dec 24 18:16:50 2006 crashdump[302]: Failed to re-launch /Applications/Azureus.app/Contents/MacOS/java_swt - CGSError: 1025!
Tue Dec 26 13:49:36 2006 crashdump[354]: crashdump started
Tue Dec 26 13:49:38 2006 crashdump[354]: Started writing crash report to: /Users/fifi1/Library/Logs/CrashReporter/File Buddy.crash.log
Tue Dec 26 13:49:39 2006 crashdump[354]: Finished writing crash report to: /Users/fifi1/Library/Logs/CrashReporter/File Buddy.crash.log
Tue Dec 26 13:56:05 2006 crashdump[389]: crashdump started
Tue Dec 26 13:56:06 2006 crashdump[389]: Started writing crash report to: /Users/fifi1/Library/Logs/CrashReporter/File Buddy.crash.log
Tue Dec 26 13:56:08 2006 crashdump[389]: Finished writing crash report to: /Users/fifi1/Library/Logs/CrashReporter/File Buddy.crash.log
Wed Dec 27 17:35:19 2006 crashdump[430]: crashdump started
Wed Dec 27 17:35:22 2006 crashdump[430]: Started writing crash report to: /Users/fifi1/Library/Logs/CrashReporter/Soundtrack.crash.log
Wed Dec 27 17:35:25 2006 crashdump[430]: Finished writing crash report to: /Users/fifi1/Library/Logs/CrashReporter/Soundtrack.crash.log

Unable to relaunch finder

Since i updated quicktime last night, i am unable to relaunch finder. every time i restart the computer finder freezes and i cannot force a quit. i try to relaunch it but doesn't work. i always just get the color wheel spinning. i inserted the mac software disk to see if i can repair it and nothing shows up. my icon for the MAC HD doesn't show up on the desktop at all. any help? i've restarted the computer many times. i cannot get into finder at all.

thanks
before i did just that i remembered something similar happened and i shut the mac off took out everything in the usb ports and restarted
everything works fine

Quick look, videos and relaunching Finder

After updating to Snow Leopard, I noticed one item right away: My scroll wheel no longer shuttled through the videos in quick look like it did before. Is there a fix, or reason for this?
Also, and more recently, I find myself having to relaunch the Finder if I use the arrow keys to change video files with the Quick Look window open.
And Finally, believe it or not, Quick Look shows .avi files better and faster than .mov and .mp4 (or other QT files). What's up with that.
Any ideas? Thanks.
iMac, 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.5Gig Ram. And everyhing is up to date.

Khurt,
Do all your other keyboard shortcuts work? I only ask because there are some settings you can change that effect all keyboard shortcuts. But heck just in case what I would do is open up System Preferences -> Keyboard & Mouse -> goto the Keyboard (tab) first and select Modifier Keys, and click Restore Defaults then goto the Keyboard Shortcuts (tab) Hit Restore Defaults here as well.
Now Try again if that doesn't work I won't you to remove the com.apple.QuickLookDaemon.plist you will find it in Macintosh HD -> Users -> YOUR USER -> Library -> Preferences, If you would prefer you can just move it to your desktop but believe me it is ok to delete it, it will be regenerated on restart, then after you have removed it I want you to not doing anything else but restart your computer.
Test to see if works, and come back with your results.
Hope that helps,
Weston

Intel iMac randomly relaunching Finder. RAM problem?

Several months ago I bought a new 3.06 GHz Intel iMac with 2GB of RAM. I also bought CS4 so I maxed out my RAM at 4GB with a 2x2GB RAM kit from Other World Computing.
I've noticed in the lately that everything will suddenly hang, the Dock won't appear when I cursor to the bottom, and then my desktop pic will change. I have my prefs set to choose a random one each day but this isn't happening at the right time, it's random. Not only that but if I open Dashboard after that it has to reload all of my widgets again. Plus any docked Finder or app windows pop back out to the desktop. It's like the Finder is being relaunched or something.
I'm wondering if this could be an issue with bad RAM or not having enough. With email, browser, FTP, time logger, and a few smaller apps going I can never really have more than a couple of the CS4 apps open without things getting sluggish. I try to avoid having more than 2 open at any one time. I've even dropped Photoshop's RAM usage settings from 70% to 60% to see if it makes any difference.
The problem is still happening and it seems to be happening more frequently. Things just relaunched and I went into Mail to minimize an email window. As soon as I clicked the yellow button things hanged again but not in the same way. No windows would minimize, the Dock wouldn't appear and I couldn't switch Spaces. When I went to restart, as soon as my cursor rolled over the Dock item in the Apple menu it stalled there for a short time before I was able to go down to restart. Then the restart sequence stalled and I had to force a shut down.
This is really frustrating as I was expecting a great new machine and software to replace my aging PowerMac G4 and older apps. Is there a way to test for bad RAM or does this sound like a known issue with CS4 or iMacs in general? I don't have the original 2x1GB RAM sticks any more, I sold them after installing my new RAM.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I've been trying a few things here and there when I've had time, giving time in between to see if the problem reoccurs. So far I've done the following:
1. Repaired Permissions. No effect.
2. Used Onyx to clean the System, User and Font cache options listed by default. It also told me that S.M.A.R.T., startup volume, Permissions and Prefs are all ok. No effect.
3. I removed the RAM, inspected the boards and the slots. Can't see any sort of damage to either. I replaced the boards but swapped slots. Both boards are firmly seated. Also no effect.
I'm going to try running 1 board at a time, swapping slots if the problem continues. If it does I'll try creating a 2nd admin account and go from there.
I've also noticed at times when the hang happens it seems to be when I click on an item in my Dock (usually a folder of items). There have also been times that after it happens I'll switch to another space and the windows for different apps will have disappeared. The apps are still open but if I try choosing the missing window under View or Window they still won't appear. Same goes with trying to use Show All under the Finder menu.

PowerBook G4 finder problem after 10.4.6 update

Anybody know a fix for this, or have this same problem? After update, when I open a new window in the finder and go to click on app or file, window disappears followed by the finder resetting the desktop.
PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

deeartboy,
Welcome to Apple Discussions.
Find the com.apple.finder.plist file in your ~Library/Preferences folder, drag it to the Desktop and log out/in or restart and let us know what happens.
;~)

Spotlight attacking and relaunching finder!

Any time I try to run spotlight Using '+Option, cmd, space+' or by typing into the top right corner of the finder window there will be a pause for 5 or so seconds with the spinning beach ball then finder will relaunch. ie. All desktop icons and menu bar disappear and re-appear.
The spotlight menu in the top right of the screen works fine this only happens when it is in its own window.
I have tried re-indexing spotlight, deleting spotlight .plist but none had any affect.
Any help.
BTW - I am using one of the late 2008 macbooks with leopard 10.5.6

Any time I try to run spotlight Using '+Option, cmd, space+' or by typing into the top right corner of the finder window there will be a pause for 5 or so seconds with the spinning beach ball then finder will relaunch. ie. All desktop icons and menu bar disappear and re-appear.
The spotlight menu in the top right of the screen works fine this only happens when it is in its own window.
I have tried re-indexing spotlight, deleting spotlight .plist but none had any affect.
Any help.
BTW - I am using one of the late 2008 macbooks with leopard 10.5.6

"Open With" on any graphic file crashes, relaunches Finder

Hello,
When I right click on any graphic file format (.jpg, .png, .gif, etc.) and choose "Open With" from the pop-up menu, the menu doesn't populate, and the Finder relaunches. Consistent, reproducible behavior.
Open With works for every other type of file I've tried.
I've repaired permissions, used Onxy to rebuild the LaunchServices database; neither worked.
Would appreciate any helpful suggestions!
Thanks,
Doug

Please read this whole message before doing anything.
This procedure is a test, not a solution. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
Step 1
The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account.
Enable guest logins* and log in as Guest. For instructions, launch the System Preferences application, select Help from the menu bar, and enter “Set up guest users” (without the quotes) in the search box. Don't use the Safari-only “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac.”
While logged in as Guest, you won’t have access to any of your personal files or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this; it’s normal. If you need any passwords or other personal data in order to complete the test, memorize, print, or write them down before you begin.
Test while logged in as Guest. Same problem?
After testing, log out of the guest account and, in your own account, disable it if you wish. Any files you created in the guest account will be deleted automatically when you log out of it.
*Note: If you’ve activated “Find My Mac” or FileVault, then you can’t enable the Guest account. The “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac” is not the same. Create a new account in which to test, and delete it, including its home folder, after testing.
Step 2
The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login.
Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode* and log in to the account with the problem. The instructions provided by Apple are as follows:
Shut down your computer, wait 30 seconds, and then hold down the shift key while pressing the power button.
When you see the gray Apple logo, release the shift key.
If you are prompted to log in, type your password, and then hold down the shift key again as you click Log in.
Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including wireless networking on certain Macs. The next normal boot may also be somewhat slow.
The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.
*Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t boot in safe mode.
Test while in safe mode. Same problem?
After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of steps 1 and 2.

Powerbook Not Finding Airport

Hi!
I have an Airport Express pluged to some wall in one place, an iMac (10,3,9) in another and a Powerbook (10,5,8).
The iMac is finding the Airport and receiving internet correctly. The powerbook though, is not even finding the Airport (let alone internet...)
When trying the Airport Utility from the Powerbook, when trying to discover any airport utility, the following message appears:
"Airport Utility was unable to find any Airport wireless devices. Make sure the Airport wireless device you want to set up is plugged in and in a range of your computer, and then click rescan to try again".
I have no idea of where to start from, in order to fix this. Why am I finding the Airport with my iMac but not with the Powerbook?
At the beginning I thought it was because I wasn´t getting an IP address but I took it to the local Mac Service Center and they reinstalled the 10,5,8, so apparently it shouldn´t be that....
Any ideas¿?
Many thanks,
Julio

I have the exact same problem. My laptop (HP Pavilion) can't find the Airport.
The problem is not the wifi - the laptop finds and uses the wifi network created by the Airport just fine (I'm on it now) - it just can't find the Airport in the Utilities program (or in iTunes, which is my actual problem here).
I can find, configure and use the Airport from another computer on the same router as the Airport (a stationary non-wifi PC also with Vista and the same versions of iTunes and Airport Utilities).
My laptop has worked fine with the Airport for over a year, I think the problem started after the latest upgrade of iTunes or Airport Utilities. I have tried downgrading Utilities to an earlier version, but it doesn't help.
When I do a factory reset of the Airport the laptop does find it, but when I try to configure it I get an error message (error code -4). When I configure it from my other computer, it disappears again from Airport Utilities in my laptop.
Any help on this would be really appreciated!
Message was edited by: Tomas Härenstam

I mac hanging and can't relaunch finder

Hi, I'm an I mac user 10.4.11, I already have 4 Gb of RAM, i'm having a problem with I mac, it seems to hang alot, and when it hangs there is usually a problem with the finder, I can relaunch, but when I do everything on the screen disappears all the icons, HD icons, even the menus on the top left hand corner, and right hand corner, and when this happens I can't shut it down, which forces me to turn it off by pressing the power button in the back of my i mac(now this is the main problem for me, I mean if could shut it down then I won't be complainning too much).
I've already done everything, tried updating it already, but i'm still having this problem.
tried doing the hardware tests but there was no problem, I've already repaired the Hard drive using the disc utilty. But the problem keeps coming back again.
Any advice anybody?
much appreciated..

First of all, it would be safest to make a backup of your drive, just in case something goes wrong. At the very least, make a backup of your current user folder. You can alway reinstall the OS and apps from original discs, but you cannot replace your personal data if it's lost with no backup.
The most complete way would be to get an external drive (if you don't have one already) that is at least as large as the used space on your internal drive. Use a cloning utility (Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper) to duplicate your internal drive to the external drive. After the process completes, set the external drive as the startup disk, in System Preferences Startup pane, and try to start up from it. Make sure it works like the original and all your data is accessible. Now, you have a bootable backup and you are safe messing with your internal drive. Even if you mess up something, you can start up from the external drive and clone the external drive back onto the internal drive, and you are back to square one.
Back to your actual question... If you want to move to a new account and abandon the current account, Apple supplies a utility called Migration Assistant. While logged in to the NEW user account, you can run that utility (in Applications/Utilities) and select the +Migration Method+ to transfer your information +From a Time Machine backup or other disk+. If you select your current internal drive, you should be able to then select your current (old) account as the account to transfer. You will be presented with various options for what to transfer.
But if I was doing it, I would do it manually, so that I know what's happening and have more control. I would first move my current user account data folders to a common area. You can use the
<startup drive>/Users/Shared/
folder, because it is accessible while logged in to your old and new accounts. Move the folders and files you want to transfer there first while logged in to your OLD account. Then log in to your new account and move them from the Shared folder to the equivalent locations in your NEW account. You can try to do this all at once, or take it slow and do one category of your user files (such as Music, Pictures, Documents, etc.) at a time.
You should not need to reinstall apps because they are installed in a location that is common to all users. However, each user has a Library folder with preference files, so you may need to reset the preferences on apps and maybe also reenter product registration information again.
You can delete your old account from System Preferences Accounts pane, after you makes sure you have everything you want in your new account. There is nothing really special about the first user account. Make sure your new account is an admin account, because you don't want to be left with no admin accounts. However, you can just keep the old account around for a few months to play it safe. If you moved (not copied) the files over to your new account, the old account should not be taking up too much space.

OS 10.8 issue - need to relaunch finder everytime open file

Installed Mountain Lion on my Mac mini (Late 2009). Works great except when I open any file type from the finder. Finder window appears to hang up and need to relaunch everytime)
I'm thinking of adding more memory as I only have 2Mb. I don't think that's the problem.

Go to your Finder "Go" menu hold the option key and choose Library. Then go to Preferences folder and trash these files:
com.apple.finder.plist
com.apple.sidebarlists.plist
Then, restart, or log out and in again.
(You will have to reset a few finder prefs the way you like them.)
Adding at least 4 GB of RAM should make a big difference.

HT201276 after force quitting finder it will not relaunch finder without having to restart the computer. Why?

can anybody help me with this. I find it extremely annoying that I have to restart the computer as the finder will not relaunch without doing so. I am new to Mac and have just purchased one last month and am having a few issues with it I would like to resolve.

ok so finder crashed on me again just before and I took a few screen shots to show you, I was copying files I had on my portable hdd into a folder on my portable hdd - I really don't think it makes a difference if im copying from my mac hdd or my portable hdd it still seems to do it sometimes

17" G4 Powerbook relaunches Finder constatly

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