brandonpoc

Q: Icons in menu bar and standard menus are invisible!

I'm having an issue with OS X 10.8.2 on my 15" (not Retina) Macbook Pro (late 2011, Core i7 2.4 GHz w/ 16GB RAM and SSD);

 

The majority of system icons in the menu bar "extras" area (that is, to the right near the date/time in the menu bar) are blank. The area where the icon would be located is responsive to clicks, and drops a menu item down upon click, but the icons themselves are invisible. The same goes for Spotlight which has a spot for it's icon and responds to the hotkey of Apple + Spacebar, but the icon itself is invisible. The only icons that are visible are third party programs that run and place themselves there such as Little Snitch, and the battery low ("red" battery) indicator icon; other battery icons are invisible.

 

Also invisible/blank are the icons for going back and forward in a Finder window as well as the back/forward icons in System Preferences sub-dialogs. The icons for choosing labels, changing the way Finder windows display (their view options), and a few others that I cannot name as I cannot see them are invisible as well. Icons that would normally display to the left of "All My Files", "AirDrop", "Applications", "Desktop", et cetera in the Finder window do not display, either.

 

I have tried installing the 10.8.2 Combo Update and using the Disk Utility "Repair" and "Verify" Filesystem options but neither fixed the issue. I have tried deleting the cached plist files for the SystemUIServer as well but there was no change in the icon display (or, that is, lack of display!).

 

I am running Mac OS X 10.8.2 (including the Combined Update) on the late-2011 Macbook Pro 15" w/ 2.4 GHz Core i7 (default 4GB memory and 750gb HDD; upgraded to 16GB of RAM and a Crucial M4 256GB SSD). I cannot recall if the problem started after I updated any system software or not; I upgraded to 10.8.2 via buying OS X Mountain Lion from the App Store so that I would have a copy on USB to install after replacing my HDD with my SSD. Everything worked fine on fresh installation, and I am not sure at what point the icons disappeared.

 

Does anyone have any insight into this problem, and more importantly, how to correct it? Please see the screenshots below for a proper illustration of the problem I am experiencing. The sole icon visible, with the two columns, is Little Snitch 3.0.

 

Desktop-Battery-NoIcon.png

   ^-- Clicking the menu bar battery icon (except, there is no icon!)

 

Finder-NoIcons.png

   ^-- Finder window with the icons for back/forward, view options, icons for location list items on the left, etc. missing

 

General-Prefs-NoIcon.png

   ^-- System Preferences dialog, with icons for the back/forward function missing.

Help-NoIcons.png

    ^-- Help window with the icons for back/forward and some other function missing.

 

 

Thank you in advance!

 

Brandon

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Nov 10, 2012 7:04 PM

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Q: Icons in menu bar and standard menus are invisible!

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  • by JPG_master,

    JPG_master JPG_master Feb 15, 2013 10:48 PM in response to Past_Tense
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 15, 2013 10:48 PM in response to Past_Tense

    AND .... even opening, closing the User Admin and Login Items dialog

        

         STILL SHOWED THEM THERE

     

    what previously was not the case.

     

    Final step for me is add another item there for a while and then see what happens.

  • by crushdeluxe,

    crushdeluxe crushdeluxe Feb 16, 2013 5:24 AM in response to brandonpoc
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 16, 2013 5:24 AM in response to brandonpoc

    I think i've sorted it, worked for me anyway.

     

    went to sys prefs - Users & Groups - unlocked the padlock and clicked on my account.

     

    hit the login items tab whch had a load of old log in things I no longer needed.

     

    I deleted them and left Dropbox, ituneshelper (???) and Suitcase which I use for my fonts.

     

    restared and all back to normal for now

  • by michael.bakker,

    michael.bakker michael.bakker Mar 8, 2013 2:06 AM in response to brandonpoc
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 8, 2013 2:06 AM in response to brandonpoc

    Hello,

     

    unfortunately I'm also affected by this graphical issues with my 13" MacBook Pro Mid 2012 (non-Retina). Additionally I have some strange display issues in my application switcher and on top of my wallpaper

     

    2013-02-17 11.10.36 pm.png

     

    and also sometimes applications are behaving unlikely e.g. loosing focus in input fields, loosing network connection or I cannot quit my applications anymore even with force quit so I have to power  off my MacBook.

     

    I have reinstalled (without erasing userdata) 4-5 times now. At first I thought this issues are related to my usb-dvi adapter from kensington, because their display driver is at least known to be quite unstable and not really supported on Mac OS Mountain Lion. After the last reinstallation I have not installed this display driver and I according to the latest advices from this thread I have not installed the currently available software update that includes:

     

    • Java for OS X 2013-002 1.0
    • Safari 6.0.2
    • OS X v10.8.2 Supplement Update 2.0
    • Digital Camera RAW Compatibilty Update 4.0
    • AirPort Utility 6.2

     

    So I'm running Mac OS 10.8.2 now without any updates but after 6 days the problem came back.

     

    I have the impression that the problem starts when my MacBook was in deep sleep hibernation (caused e.g. empty battery) for the first time, means it is using the memory contents stored on my harddisk for a wakeup. The sleep lid led is not pulsing and also the login screen takes some time until my prompt for the password is available. When this happend the last time 2 days ago all this graphical issues reappeared.

     

    Afterwards the problem persists on my system even after a reboot, SMC reset, PRAM/NVRAM reset, single user mode (rebuild kext cache), repaired permissions, removed com.apple.systemuiserver.plist, hardwaretest shows no errors (even the long run) and can only be temporary removed by a reinstallation.

     

    Is this maybe related to any software installed? I'm using FileVault2 and also some application using kext modules. I have read a few posts of forum user "Linc Davis" where he asks users to run some commands to maybe find out suspicious software causing problems. The instructions can be found here:

     

    https://discussions.apple.com/message/21453854#21453854

     

    Step1

    com.usboverdrive.driver.hid (3.0.2)

    com.kaspersky.kext.klif (2.2.1d19)

    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxDrv (4.2.6)

    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxUSB (4.2.6)

    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetFlt (4.2.6)

    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetAdp (4.2.6)

    com.kaspersky.kext.kimul.44 (44)

    net.tunnelblick.tap (1.0)

     

     

    Step2

    com.kaspersky.klnagent

    com.kaspersky.kav

    com.google.keystone.daemon

    com.adobe.fpsaud

    mib:~ root# launchctl list | sed 1d | awk '!/0x|com\.apple|edu\.mit|org\.(x|openbsd)/{print $3}'

    org.postfix.master

    org.ntp.ntpd

    org.cups.cupsd

    com.vix.cron

    com.kaspersky.klnagent

    com.kaspersky.kav

    com.google.keystone.daemon

    com.adobe.fpsaud

     

     

    Step3

    org.gpgtools.Libmacgpg.xpc

    com.kaspersky.kav.gui

    com.google.keystone.system.agent

     

     

    Step4

    /Library/Components:

     

     

    /Library/Extensions:

    VBoxDrv.kext

    VBoxNetAdp.kext

    VBoxNetFlt.kext

    VBoxUSB.kext

     

     

    /Library/Frameworks:

    AEProfiling.framework

    AERegistration.framework

    AudioMixEngine.framework

    Libmacgpg.framework

    NyxAudioAnalysis.framework

    OSXFUSE.framework

    PluginManager.framework

    iTunesLibrary.framework

     

     

    /Library/Input Methods:

     

     

    /Library/Internet Plug-Ins:

    Flash Player.plugin

    JavaAppletPlugin.plugin

    Quartz Composer.webplugin

    QuickTime Plugin.plugin

    disabled

    flashplayer.xpt

    nsIQTScriptablePlugin.xpt

     

     

    /Library/Keyboard Layouts:

     

     

    /Library/LaunchAgents:

    com.google.keystone.agent.plist

    com.kaspersky.kav.gui.plist

    com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist

    org.gpgtools.Libmacgpg.xpc.plist

     

     

    /Library/LaunchDaemons:

    com.adobe.fpsaud.plist

    com.google.keystone.daemon.plist

    com.kaspersky.kav.plist

    com.kaspersky.klnagent.plist

    com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist

    org.macports.frameworks.macports.plist

     

     

    /Library/PreferencePanes:

    Flash Player.prefPane

    GPGPreferences.prefPane

    Growl.prefPane

    JavaControlPanel.prefPane

    MenuMeters.prefPane

    OSXFUSE.prefPane

    USB Overdrive.prefPane

     

     

    /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools:

    org.macports.frameworks.macports

     

     

    /Library/QuickLook:

    QuickLookEyeTV.qlgenerator

    iBooksAuthor.qlgenerator

    iWork.qlgenerator

     

     

    /Library/QuickTime:

    AppleIntermediateCodec.component

    AppleMPEG2Codec.component

    EyeTV MPEG Support.component

     

     

    /Library/ScriptingAdditions:

     

     

    /Library/Services:

    GPGServices.service

     

     

    /Library/Spotlight:

    Microsoft Office.mdimporter

    iBooksAuthor.mdimporter

    iWork.mdimporter

     

     

    /Library/StartupItems:

    VirtualBox

     

     

    /etc/mach_init.d:

     

     

    /etc/mach_init_per_login_session.d:

     

     

    /etc/mach_init_per_user.d:

     

     

    Step5

    Window Tidy, GrowlHelperApp, iTunesHelper, Caffeine, KeePassX, BetterTouchTool, SlimBatteryMonitor, USBOverdriveHelper, Day-O, Tunnelblick

     

     

    In case some software is causing this problems maybe be can find it out or even Linc Davis joins us to find the problem :-)

     

    Did anyone affected by this issues gave his macbook to apple and maybe even got a new one or something hardare related replaced? Did his the disappear afterwards?

     

    I'm looking forward for Mac OS 10.8.3, maybe it fixes our problem somehow :-/

  • by Barney-15E,

    Barney-15E Barney-15E Mar 8, 2013 4:13 AM in response to michael.bakker
    Level 9 (50,237 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 8, 2013 4:13 AM in response to michael.bakker

    I would uninstall all of these:

    com.usboverdrive.driver.hid (3.0.2)

    com.kaspersky.kext.klif (2.2.1d19)

    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxDrv (4.2.6)

    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxUSB (4.2.6)

    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetFlt (4.2.6)

    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetAdp (4.2.6)

    com.kaspersky.kext.kimul.44 (44)

    net.tunnelblick.tap (1.0)

     

    However, I don't think virtual box is the problem

  • by michael.bakker,

    michael.bakker michael.bakker Mar 12, 2013 1:16 AM in response to Barney-15E
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 12, 2013 1:16 AM in response to Barney-15E

    I have removed all of this applications and its kernel extensions. The problem did not disappear.

     

    Afterwards I did a reinstallation (with keeping userdata) and after the second time I put my computer to sleep, the loginscreen did take some time until I got my prompt to enter my password. Until this situation the problem was back again.

     

    Next try will be a fresh installation with TimeMachine restore. Last try would be a complete reinstallation without data migration

  • by tutenchamun,

    tutenchamun tutenchamun Mar 12, 2013 1:40 AM in response to michael.bakker
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 12, 2013 1:40 AM in response to michael.bakker

    I have this issue as previously stated and it does not go away.

     

    It is 100% linked with the hibernation mode of the machine.

    If you "turn off" the machine every time, the issue is not comming up.

     

    The only cure is to remove the .//Library/Preferences/com.apple.systemuiserver.plist and reboot (sometimes needed to be peformed twice), or alternativley reset the users keychain.

     

     

    I have challenged Apple Support, since my MBPRetina is fairly new (Nov.12).

    They did not even know about the issue, and cannot replicate it.

    I have pointed them to this thread.

    Apple Support advised, to try to create a new Profile and try, or wait on a new MACOS Version.

     

    I strongly advise you, to call Apple Support and raise the issue.

    Maybe the only way to force Apple to look into it more deeply.

     

     

    Apart from that, I am convinced, that it is related to specific installed software, that is destroying some of the base components.

    I am running, skype, and all of the OmniGroup Software, Parallels, etc.

    I am just so busy, that I currently cannot afford to test various scenarios of not autostarting these step by step.

    Maybe its even some sort of virus ?

     

    I hope that helps.

    regards

  • by michael.bakker,

    michael.bakker michael.bakker Mar 12, 2013 1:46 AM in response to tutenchamun
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 12, 2013 1:46 AM in response to tutenchamun

    Are you using FileVault2? It would be nice if you could run the commands I got from "Linc Davis". Maybe we are able to see applications were are both using.

     

    I will try to get in touch with Apple but I'm more looking forward for 10.8.3 which should probably be released within the near feature. If it will fix this problem is another question

  • by michael.bakker,

    michael.bakker michael.bakker Mar 12, 2013 3:04 AM in response to michael.bakker
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 12, 2013 3:04 AM in response to michael.bakker

    I've been in a phonecall with apple support. They advised me to do a fresh installation without keeping userdata or even restore from a TimeMachine backup. If the problem persists another department will take care of this problem. Maybe I have time for that on next weekend and lets see where this will end. I will keep you up2date.

  • by Yaggo,

    Yaggo Yaggo Mar 12, 2013 3:50 AM in response to brandonpoc
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 12, 2013 3:50 AM in response to brandonpoc

    Dear people. Uninstalling apps/drivers (the bug is in OS X itself), calling Apple support (they are not technical enough) etc. is waste of time. Just do not install the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Update 2.0 and you will be fine (and if you did, reinstall the system without wiping your user data*). Note that you can install the rest of the 10.8.2 updates, just skip the said one. The problem will eventually be fixed. Apple is small company with limited resources to deal with minor issues like this (no kidding).

     

    *) Boot to recovery mode by holding command+r while restarting. Reinstall the system (files are automatically fetched over internet). Your user data is not deleted unless you manually wipe your disk.

     

    (All the above mentioned applies at least for my Retina, Mid 2012 machine.)

  • by michael.bakker,

    michael.bakker michael.bakker Mar 12, 2013 3:42 AM in response to Yaggo
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 12, 2013 3:42 AM in response to Yaggo

    Do you mean "OS X v10.8.2 Supplemental Update 2.0" with this "10.8.2 graphics update"? Besides this update I have not applied the following updates:

     

    • Java for OS X 2013-002 1.0
    • Safari 6.0.2
    • Digital Camera RAW Compatibilty Update 4.0
    • AirPort Utility 6.2

     

    Anyway the problem this appears.

  • by JPG_master,

    JPG_master JPG_master Mar 12, 2013 3:44 AM in response to Yaggo
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 12, 2013 3:44 AM in response to Yaggo

    Hi,

     

    " ... reinstall the system without wiping your user data ..." => never done before! Any tutorials/Doc somewhere?

     

    "... install the rest of the 10.8.2 updates, just skip the graphics one ..." as before, never recognized option to skip sthng.  Any tutorials/Docs somewhere?

    When referring to update, do you mean Updates that are offered via the menu with the apple sign?

     

    thx 

  • by gfingerl,

    gfingerl gfingerl Mar 12, 2013 3:48 AM in response to JPG_master
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 12, 2013 3:48 AM in response to JPG_master

    The only thing you should not install is the graphic update 2.0. Everything else is not a problem (at least on my machine).

  • by Yaggo,

    Yaggo Yaggo Mar 12, 2013 3:54 AM in response to JPG_master
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 12, 2013 3:54 AM in response to JPG_master

    JPG_master, see my updated message https://discussions.apple.com/message/21488665#21488665 about reinstalling the system. It takes couple of hours but is otherwise painless. You can skip individual updates by simply not clicking the "Update" button in App Store.

  • by michael.bakker,

    michael.bakker michael.bakker Mar 12, 2013 2:03 PM in response to Yaggo
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 12, 2013 2:03 PM in response to Yaggo

    I dont have this "MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Update 2.0"

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/dl1609

     

    in my list of available updates. I guess its just for Retina MacBooks as I cannot even uninstall it manually (not compatible with this machine).

     

    The "graphic update 2.0" is also not on my list of available updates - in case it doesnt belong to the 10.8.2 supplemental update 2.0.

     

    Is it maybe possible that my installation already includes this update after a fresh installation?

  • by feffi,

    feffi feffi Mar 12, 2013 3:59 PM in response to brandonpoc
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 12, 2013 3:59 PM in response to brandonpoc

    Hi, after several other solutions i tried http://applejack.sourceforge.net

     

    After rebooting, fixing in single mode with appleJack, everthing is fine now for half a year...

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