rstreborg

Q: Anyone seen this odd screen behavior with Mavericks?

I have multiple users on my computer. This behavior only occurs for the second and third active users.  It does not occur for the first user logged in.

 

Immediately after hitting enter on the login selection screen the display partially fills in with the user desktop using the top left 3/4 of the display. Almost immediately afterwords the full screen is used but the finder windows are now relocated to the top left. The first image shows partial screen draw, the second the relocated windows.

Screen Shot 1.png

Screen Shot 2.png

 

The windows were originally centered. It appears the initially shortened screen may be causing the window relocation.

 

If I switch to the first user and then back to the second user the problem repeats. If I logon a third user the problem repeats. If I logoff both users and reverse the order of the logon the problem again repeats with the second and third users.

 

This began a few days ago but I've had Mavericks installed for a couple of months. I’ve tried restart, power down reboot, reset NVRAM, power down and unplug AC power cord for 10+ seconds to reset SMC. Also, tried booting from different HD.

 

This screen behavior does happen whan booted to either Mavericks 9.2 and 9.3. This does not happen when booted from either Mountain Lion or Snow Leopard.

 

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

This is occuring on a 2008 quad Mac Pro 3,1 with a 23 inch Cinema Display, factory installed GeForce 8800 GT graphs card, and 20 gig of memory.

Posted on Jun 7, 2014 9:28 AM

Close

Q: Anyone seen this odd screen behavior with Mavericks?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

Page 1 of 3 last Next
  • by Drew Reece,

    Drew Reece Drew Reece Jun 7, 2014 10:06 AM in response to rstreborg
    Level 5 (7,714 points)
    Notebooks
    Jun 7, 2014 10:06 AM in response to rstreborg
  • by rstreborg,

    rstreborg rstreborg Jun 7, 2014 4:41 PM in response to Drew Reece
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Jun 7, 2014 4:41 PM in response to Drew Reece

    Drew, I followed the instructions in the first link and moved the following items to the Desktop (/user/Library/Preferences/com.appl.dock.plist and user/Library/Prefierences/ByHost/comp.appl.dock.*.plist). Logged out and back on. This had no effect on the behavior described above. The problem continues.

  • by Drew Reece,

    Drew Reece Drew Reece Jun 7, 2014 5:33 PM in response to rstreborg
    Level 5 (7,714 points)
    Notebooks
    Jun 7, 2014 5:33 PM in response to rstreborg

    Do you have Teamviewer installed?

  • by rstreborg,

    rstreborg rstreborg Jun 7, 2014 5:50 PM in response to Drew Reece
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Jun 7, 2014 5:50 PM in response to Drew Reece

    I do not have Teamviewer installed.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Jun 7, 2014 5:51 PM in response to rstreborg
    Level 10 (208,000 points)
    Applications
    Jun 7, 2014 5:51 PM in response to rstreborg
    According to a report, the problem can be solved at least temporarily by changing the Dock size. I can't confirm.
  • by rstreborg,

    rstreborg rstreborg Jun 7, 2014 6:44 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Jun 7, 2014 6:44 PM in response to Linc Davis

    Sounds very similar. It provides a partial solution. If I minimized or maximize the Dock the behavior is not present for Logon, but remains during fast user switching. Also, I have seen this behavior in Mavericks 9.2 and 9.3. I did not see it until 9.3, but when I rebooted in 9.2 the behavior was also present. Another thing I noticed sometimes the windows only shift left, and not to the top. The amount of horizontal and vertical window shift seems to depend on the window's position on the desktop before fast user switching.

     

    Thanks for pointing out the other thread. The symptoms are very similar and are likely the same problem. I did not switch to Mavericks until early February and started with 9.2 and upgraded to 9.3 a few weeks ago. Interestingly enough the odd screen behavior only began a few days ago. I'll be monitoring both threads am considering reporting it to Apple.

  • by dianeoforegon,

    dianeoforegon dianeoforegon Jun 7, 2014 6:47 PM in response to rstreborg
    Level 5 (5,741 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 7, 2014 6:47 PM in response to rstreborg

    Have you tried resetting Display Resolution in System Preferences?

  • by rstreborg,

    rstreborg rstreborg Jun 7, 2014 6:51 PM in response to dianeoforegon
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Jun 7, 2014 6:51 PM in response to dianeoforegon

    Yes I have. I change from optimum for display to the next smaller size on all users. Logged off, rebooted and logged on. Tthe odd screen behavior persisted so I reset display to optimum.

  • by rstreborg,

    rstreborg rstreborg Jun 7, 2014 6:59 PM in response to rstreborg
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Jun 7, 2014 6:59 PM in response to rstreborg

    By the way, my windows are not stuck as noted on the other threads referenced by Linc. I can relocate them at any time and they stay where I put them. They just jump up and left when I fast user switch or logon. Although as I noted above, if the Dock is maximized or minimized the behavior stops for logon but continues for fast user switch.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Jun 7, 2014 7:32 PM in response to rstreborg
    Level 10 (208,000 points)
    Applications
    Jun 7, 2014 7:32 PM in response to rstreborg

    Please read this whole message before doing anything.

    This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.

    The purpose of the test is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party software that loads automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.

    Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. You must hold down the shift key twice: once when you turn on the computer, and again when you log in.

    Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a Fusion Drive or a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.

    Safe mode is much slower to start up and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal startup may also be somewhat slow.

    The login screen appears even if you usually login 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.

    Test while in safe mode. Same problem?

    After testing, restart as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

  • by rstreborg,

    rstreborg rstreborg Jun 7, 2014 8:37 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Jun 7, 2014 8:37 PM in response to Linc Davis

    I have resolved the problem, at least for now. I'll post a status back in a few days. I used a free utility named Onyx by Titanium Software. It is cleaning and optimization utility that digs deep into the system. I've used it for years to keep my Mac performing, but this is the first time it fixed a problem. Here is how I did it.

     

    Started the program and selected the Maintenance function, selected the Scripts option and checked all three boxes, then clicked Execute.

    OnyX1.png

    Next I selected the Cleaning function, selected the System options, checked all the boxes, then clicked Execute.

    OnyX2.png

    Next I chose the User option, checked all boxes except Xcode, and clicked Execute. I continued with the User, Internet, etc options accepting the default checked boxes and Executing all available options.

     

    The program requires and admin id and pw. It then suggests you have a good backup, check status of your disks, and correct permissions. I concur. Please read the authors documentation before using. You can download it from here at MacUpdate.

  • by rstreborg,

    rstreborg rstreborg Jun 8, 2014 8:17 AM in response to rstreborg
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Jun 8, 2014 8:17 AM in response to rstreborg

    The problem returned this morning when I booted my machine. Ran OnyX again, restarted and the problem was again corrected. This is only a temporay solution and a brief one at that. My guess is a temporary file or cache is getting corrupted and until Apple fixes it the problem will remain.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Jun 8, 2014 9:01 AM in response to rstreborg
    Level 10 (208,000 points)
    Applications
    Jun 8, 2014 9:01 AM in response to rstreborg

    "Onyx" is useless, and the actions you took could not possibly have any effect on the problem.

  • by rstreborg,

    rstreborg rstreborg Jun 8, 2014 11:30 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Jun 8, 2014 11:30 AM in response to Linc Davis

    It temporarily corrected the problem twice. I consider this interesting, but certianily it is not a long term solution. I would be interested if anyone else gets temporary respite.

Page 1 of 3 last Next