Runaway application switcher

I've been meaning to ask about this for a couple of years, at least.
On more than one MacBook Pro and with both Leopard and Snow Leopard, I occasionally have an odd behavior result when invoking the application switcher with command-tab.
What happens every now and then is that I hold down command and tap tab to get to the previously used application/window. I'm still holding down the command key, probably, but I quickly release the tab key.
Instead of stopping along the horizontal list of apps at the first app after the one I'm currently using, the switcher insanely cycles through the whole list, left to right, and it keeps going until I hit escape, I think. Releasing command and hitting command-tab again might fix it, but I can't remember and I can't set off the behavior at will.
Like I said, I have seen this happen on multiple computer and multiple keyboards. It just happened a little while ago on an external keyboard but I've also seen it happen on the laptop's keyboard.
My guess is that it has to do with a conflict with another utility program I have, like Launchbar. But I've never been able to narrow it down. Anyone else encounter this weirdness?

I've been having the same issue since 10.5.6. Downloading and installing the Combo Updater for 10.5.7 unfortunately does not fix the problem.
Deleting the Finder plist file is only a temporary solution, the problem will return.
Other people on different forums are reporting this as fairly wide-spread issue, but no one has a permanent fix. A restart is the best option at this point.
One question: Are you by any chance running TinkerTool?

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Application Switcher Not Working correctly

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Cool. Learn a new trick every day... It works on my English keyboard (with the Q).
Maybe the "oddity" has been fixed and it is no longer A on the French keyboard, but Q, as it should be.

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Cool. Learn a new trick every day... It works on my English keyboard (with the Q).
Maybe the "oddity" has been fixed and it is no longer A on the French keyboard, but Q, as it should be.

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Well, my mouse issue turned out to be a Logitech Control Center/ Leopard issue. It was resolved with an update from Logitech but Spaces is still buggin' hard. When I try to switch spaces using Spaces this is what happens:
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Finder, Doc, Application switcher all crash in 10.5.2

A few weeks ago I noticed that my lower ram slot in my Powerbook G4 15" 1.3G stopped reading the ram. I did a quick search and found that there was a recall for a similar problem in other powerbooks. I thought I could get away with buying a 1G chip and installing it in the upper slot. This worked for about a day.
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I am suspicious that your hard drive is bad. Can you boot from the OSX DVD and run some of those apps normally? Tried the Apple hardware Test (AHD) from the OS DVD?
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Since upgrading to Mountain Lion, mail and contacts are not showing in the application switcher.
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Does anyone else have the same issue? My mail and contacts are on exchange server, which may have something to do with it?

Please follow these directions to delete the Mail "sandbox" folder.
Back up all data.
Triple-click the line below to select it:
~/Library/Containers/com.apple.mail
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Services ▹ Reveal
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Caution: If you change any of the contents of the sandbox, but leave the folder itself in place, Mail may crash or not launch at all. Deleting the whole sandbox will cause it to be rebuilt automatically.
*If you don't see the contextual menu item, copy the selected text to the Clipboard (command-C). In the Finder, select
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I seem to be having a bit of trouble with exposé / application switching, particularly when selecting reveal 'all windows'. Currently this command will reveal all 'application windows' (open within the current application), despite a few button / hot corner tweaks.
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Regards
F
(PPC running 10.4.8)
iMac G5/ Powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Not so fast, Fiachra!
You may be able to repair this with the 10.4.8 Combo Updater.
This is a fuller install, as opposed to an incremental "delta" update so it should overwrite any files that are damaged or missing. It does not matter if you have applied it before. It has worked well for many.
Remember to Verify Disk before updateand repair permissions after update from /Applications/Utilities/Disk Utility.
-mj
[email protected]
Message was edited by: macjack

I am not able to download any application from the App Store it is showing the the message that your account is not for US store to download the application switch to Indian store

I am not able to download any application from the App Store it is showing the the message that your account is not for US store to download the application switch to Indian store

This article explains how to change the iTunes store country on your phone: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1311.

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Regards,
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Message was edited by: Anthony MacCarthy
Message was edited by: Anthony MacCarthy

Hi-
Can't predict the future, but I understand the dilemma with regards to which is a better mouse.
For app switching, there is a way to do such, but at the cost of a lost function:
http://theappleblog.com/2009/11/02/how-to-enable-expose-and-spaces-for-the-magic -mouse/

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http://manytricks.com/witch/
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http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/6272/application-switcher-menu
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Why don't all applications show up in application switcher?

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If Facebook have support page or forum you would perhaps get answers there.
I don't use Facebook so that's about the best advice I can give.

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In Photoshop and LightRoom, an application switcher built into the top of the application. Like the " B. Application bar or C. Workspace switcher " area in Photoshop , much like the Bridge and Mini-Bridge icons in Photoshop Application Bar that allow switching to those bridge app.
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Hi Todd,
Sorry I replied to you in the Creative Cow forum. Just in case you didn't see my reply there, I'm reposting it here:
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Turns out the solution is a simple little checkbox in the Expose & Spaces preference pane (under system preferences). Under the Spaces tab, there is a little checkbox at the very bottom that says "When switching to an application, switch to a space with open windows for the application." Silly that that little inconspicuous checkbox caused me so much grief over the last month... But there it is.
Do I get credit for answering my own question?

Runaway application switcher

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