IChat icon will not stop bouncing

Question

Hello all
Here is my problem ....
I startup IChat and when I go to another program the icon continues to bounce on the dock.
All settings are set to not bounce.
Please help with the very annoying problem
Thanks Mark

Answer 1

Hi,
Re 1)
Sometimes the apps or items listed as Login Items (System Preferences > Accounts > Your account > Login Items) can start up faster than some parts of the OS.
It is more noticeable with waking from Sleep.
Sleep (Set in the System Preferences > Energy Saver) is what happens if the computer is set to "Spin Down" after a certain amount of time.
This cuts all network Connections and on waking, re-establishing these can be slower then the apps that are open also waking leading to the app reporting no network.
Sometimes deleting the said App and re-adding it to the list will place it lower in the list and later in the Start up order (not always successful with faster processors)
Sort of 1b)
Do you have the Buddy list viewable on this Start up ?
If the Buddy List is Logged in but has had the Red Button used to hide the window iChat will tend to remember this at the next launch - the App Starts and the Buddy List is logged in (See iChat Menu > Accounts and and the Window Menu) but the buddy List's actual Window is not on view.
Re 2)
At this point is there any message popping up about iChat ?
If several apps have opened other windows in front of iChat (iChat is not the app listed in the menu Bar - not "front") then you may need to make iChat the "Front App" and check it's Window Menu at the bottom to see if it lists anything.
It may also pay to use the Amber button on all other windows (puts things in the DOCK so you can see any Alert.
Does clicking the icon bring the iChat app to the Front (Listed in the Menu Bar) ?
Re 3)
As you can see I suspect other things before we get this far.
Summary.
I still think iChat wants some Input to resolve an issue it has.
I have explained some possibles based on the new information - where iChat is in the Start Up process as a whole and if the Buddy List Window is Hidden, plus whether iChat and any message Alert is Fully "Front".
I have suggested that iChat be "lowered" in the Login Items list by removing it ad re-adding it.
A better test would be to take it out and see if it does it on a manual start.
I have suggested checking whether iChat is the "Front"/Menu Bar listed app and whether other windows are hiding a Alert Pop Up message.
NOTES.
I have this or something similar with Mail and iChat sometimes.
One or other will lose connection with the server and request I fill in the Password pop up that occurs.
Mail indicates the account in question with an icon.
This icon will go away for a few seconds even if you type in the wrong password.
iChat does not have such a visual clue.
In both cases if either app cannot connect to the server then the pop up comes back and the icon bounces again.
You did not say one way or the other about any pop up Alert message.
Try to remember I cannot see every mouse move, head nod, hand wave at the Screen you would use if I were sat there.
Imagine that you are telling your mother what you see over the phone as you do it.
Better still imagine I want as much detail as you would give to someone who has never used a phone before.
(I know it's pedantic )
10:13 PM Saturday; May 8, 2010
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"