Dock is broken, Exposé not working, command-tab not working: any clues?

Question

Dock is broken, Exposé not working, command-tab not working: any clues?

Hi,

Not sure what I've done other than to try to look at a corrupt Adobe LightRoom jpeg (mentioned elsewhere), but my Dock has disappeared, can't make it come back by trashing the dock prefs in the library. Furthermore, I cannot configure Exposé at all, it won't allow me put items into the four corners of the display. And lastly, command-tab won't allow me switch between open applications.

These problems are unique to one account on this machine. A fresh insall doesn't make these problems go away.

Anyone out there with any solutions?

Thanks, Hugh

iMac 2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, Mac OS X (10.5.1), 2 GB ram

Posted on Nov 28, 2007 7:14 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 28, 2007 7:39 PM in response to Hugh Chaloner

In answer to my own question, I removed a corrupt jpeg from my Downloads folder. This has cured the Dock, the command-Tab is also back, Exposé works and so does minimize.

The ability of a corrupt file in the Downloads folder to bring down the system MUST be addressed in the next update.

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Answer 2

four13rX

Level 1

0 points

Nov 28, 2007 10:56 PM in response to Hugh Chaloner

Thanks for the tip! I almost do Erase and Reinstall Leopard before reading this post.

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Answer 3

Dec 1, 2007 9:46 AM in response to four13rX

Same here.
Deleting a jpg file from the downloads folder made everything work again.
What a bug!

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Answer 4

Dec 1, 2007 9:48 AM in response to Hugh Chaloner

I'd suggest sending this bug report to apple using their feedback page: http://www.apple.com/feedback/macosx.html

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Answer 5

jholden

Level 1

0 points

Dec 1, 2007 3:56 PM in response to Hugh Chaloner

I had the same issues with a corrupt jpeg. I removed it from my downloads folder into the trash can and things seem to be functioning properly.

However, I can not seem to remove the image from the trash can. I keep getting an "cannot remove because file is in use" message. The image can't be in use. Nothing is running and I have even rebooted the system.

Any ideas?

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Answer 6

Dec 1, 2007 9:44 PM in response to Hugh Chaloner

This worked for me as well. Thanks so much for the tip. Definitely didn't need the comp giving me problems during finals!

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Answer 7

Dec 2, 2007 12:15 PM in response to jholden

Hold down the option key while emptying the trash? Maybe a restart and then empty the trash? Failing that, you can delete it in Terminal, but it takes a little competence in Terminal activity.

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Answer 8

champo

Level 1

0 points

Dec 2, 2007 12:29 PM in response to jholden

did you manage to get rid of this file as the same thing is happening to me?

thanks

Paul

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Answer 9

jholden

Level 1

0 points

Dec 2, 2007 7:42 PM in response to champo

i have not gotten rid of the file. i tried holding the Option key, as Hugh suggested, but i get the same message. the file is not longer interfering with anything. i just don't want it around.

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Answer 10

Dec 3, 2007 1:27 PM in response to Topher Kessler

Hi Topher,

yes I sent it as a bug report.

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Answer 11

sadtooth

Level 1

0 points

Jan 28, 2008 8:35 AM in response to jholden

I just had this happen with my machine: it really reeked some havoc. Still haven't figured out how to delete this file. Have you come up with anything?

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Answer 12

sadtooth

Level 1

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Jan 28, 2008 8:45 AM in response to sadtooth

in response to my own question: it seems too simple but actually just using secure empty trash took care of it for me.

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Answer 13

Tuomas

Level 1

50 points

Feb 17, 2008 8:50 AM in response to Hugh Chaloner

I have the same problem with command+tab. I have no jpeg pictures in my Downloads folder so the problem cannot be related to just that. I find this problem very serious since I'm used to browse open programs with command+tab. I hope someone will find a solution for this very soon.

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Answer 14

Tuomas

Level 1

50 points

Feb 20, 2008 8:17 AM in response to Tuomas

I reply myself. I found - with two independent Macs - that after sleep the problem with command tab was gone! Does this tell someone anything?

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Answer 15

Tuomas

Level 1

50 points

Apr 2, 2008 1:39 AM in response to Tuomas

Here is an another "solution": activate Expose once and the Command-Tab works. - Isn't there any expert who could figure out why putting Mac into sleep or activating Expose let the Command-tab to work?

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