Cannot rename folders or files

Hiya,

jsut to enquire, did you do the 10.5.6 combo update? As this seems most intriguing; i permanently move and rename files and folders on my mac. (ok I do not run server but the only issue I could see with different versions of a file on local machine and remote server and this actually being a permissions or comms problem). See if the combo solves this, as everyone on this discussion seems to have older versions.
http://support.apple.com/downloads/MacOS_X_Server_10_56

Lots of people have this problem. I have had it on and off since 10.4.

Force quitting finder or restart the computer will fix it temporarily.

Nothing fixes it permanently, its a true MAC OS bug.

This is a leopard issue. I have 3 macs (2 minis and pro). I only have this problem on 2 of the 3 running leopard. In addition, had to replace the harddrive (Apple MacBook's typical life expectancy) and the problem persists on a fresh install. A restart solves but choose your name wisely you only get one rename of file or it is reboot time. Wow, this reminds me of my windows days.

Also, just to be on the safe side, although force quitting the finder appears to temporarily resolve the issue, I also did the following:
tested disk directory with apple disk utility: OK
repaired permissions: nothing had to be repaired

force quitting the finder restored normal functionality

noted that font reserve was not un-installed properly, preference pane was still in system preferences, although application was missing, un-installed font reserve via installer

noted that there were duplicate fonts showing in font book, resolved and/or disabled duplicate fonts

deleted finder preferences from user/library/preferences folder
ran spotless utility to delete entire spotlight index for both volumes attached
ran font finagler to delete all font caches
rebooted
finder seems to operate normally now, finder preferences is normal 4K size

since issue was intermittent, i'm not 100% sure if the issue is resolve, and user will report back if it occurs again
This was on a 10.4.11 G5 dual 1.8GHz Macintosh

Sounds like keyboard focus is being lost. I have never seen this problem, btw. When this happens, if you switch to another app does the keyboard issues persist in that app too? Or is it Finder specific? When keyboard combo's stop working, is the menu corresponding to the keyboard combo you want to run enabled or disabled?

In the case of my client, it was only in the finder, on 10.4.11, and the keyboard worked fine in other applications. Force quitting the finder fixed temporarily, and the other repairs I listed above may have permanently fixed, but I'm waiting to hear feedback from the user after a week or two, to see if the issue re-occurs.

Also, it wasn't only keyboard combos, it was any and all typing in the finder, couldn't make new folders, couldn't rename folders, etc...

This has just happened to me so I did a search and came here. I'm surprised this isn't more common knowledge as it seems to me this is a very serious bug. The ability to rename or name folders and files in finder is surely core to any OS's usefulness? Apple seem strangely quiet about this.

I've had this problem on my Mac at work and now my new MacBook Pro. They are both running OS 10.5.5.

Thanks for your tip about force quitting finder. That seems to have solved the problem for now. Previously, I would restart. This way saves a bit of trouble. I hope Apple comes up with a solution soon.

(Note: I have also ran Disk Utilities and fixed the permissions with no effect.)

Have you checked the console logs? There might be something there indicating the problem.
If it's a Leopard bug, you could not prove it by me. I have three Leopard boxes running and have never had this "bug" appear. Not even when they were running Tiger.

When this happens can you right-click the file and rename it from the Get Info window?
Can you click the name twice (not a double click!) and enter the new name?

I've had this issue on 3 machines since 10.5 fresh installs, it has happened just a minute ago on my mbp which had a clean install and 10.5.5 combo update just last week. I've noticed can be reproduced every time when I try to create a directory inside a recently created directory.

Finder basically *loses all keyboard connectivity* and no keyboard actions will work, e.g. scrolling with the arrow keys, searching in the finder spotlight, editing info in the 'get info' window.

You can add me to the list of people having this issue..

I have a new macbook pro (late 2008). This has been my first switch to leopard and never had this "bug" on 10.4.

When I try to force quit I do not get the temp fix like other have said. A log out or restart will do the trick.

This is a VERY annoying bug!

.: I am having the same problem. I'm running 10.5.5 on a 2007 MacBook, and cannot rename any files or folders. Thanks for the suggestion to "force quit" Finder, but so far, that's the only solution I've found that works.

Add me to the list. I also noted when I try to use "Get info" I am unable to change the name under "Name & Extensions" because it is grayed out. Batch re-naming doesn't work either in any application. Another weird thing is that some new recent folders allow name changes but my older folders do not. This problem has really shut me down. I have set and reset file permissions and repaired file permissions with the disc utility to no avail.

Does anybody having this problem experience what looks like Finder crashing when attempting to rename their files? I'm having this problem. When hitting the "return" key after typing in a new name for a file or folder, Finder looks like it crashes and restarts very quickly and the name of the file doesn't change.

I've read that there might be a conflict with Stuffit AVR and Mac OS 10.4 that could cause these symptoms.