can't command tab and dock no longer shows applications as being open

Question

Level 1

10 points

can't command tab and dock no longer shows applications as being open

I'm unable to command tab between applications, also they don't show as being open in the dock, no little blue light and if I right click it asks if I want to open application rather than close even though it is already open.

My computer seems to be fine, applications work without a problem I just can't switch between them which doesn't seem like a big deal but try not using command tab and not being able to click on the icon in the dock. I have to move windows aside, find the right program and click on it in order to use it, which gets old real fast. Restarting fixes the problem for a couple of days and then its back.

I've deleted the dock.plist and dock.db files and restarted and this hasn't helped it still happens. Has this happened to any one else if so please tell me you were able to fix it without reinstalling every thing, thats why I have a Mac so I don't have to do cr@p like that. Does any one have any suggestions.

iMac 2.4GHz 20", Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Oct 27, 2008 4:26 AM

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Answer 1

Nov 7, 2008 5:32 PM in response to pablogott

After posting, I tried the delete dock preference trick, and it seemed to work. I'll post back if it doesn't.

So to summarize - delete com.apple.dock.plist and com.apple.dock.db from /users/yourusername/library/preferences/com.apple.dock.plist

then relaunch your dock from the terminal - open /Applications/Utilities/Terminal.app

and the prompt, type in " killall Dock "

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Answer 2

Nov 6, 2008 6:24 PM in response to futz55

I started having the same problem over and over again; it generally happens between 2 and 5 minutes after startup. When I open the Force Quit menu, NO applications are shown as open, not even the Finder.

Command-Tab doesn't work, merely produces an Alert noise, but it works for the first few minutes after startup.

This is driving me nuts; it just started today! Computer was working fine this morning.

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Answer 3

Nov 6, 2008 9:12 PM in response to futz55

I'm assuming you've tried a permissions fix?

You might try installing OnyX and running various maintenance scripts available in that application.

Does this problem happen in another account? Does it happen if you boot into "Safe" mode by holding the shift key at bootup?

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Answer 4

Nov 7, 2008 12:01 AM in response to Topher Kessler

I did a permissions fix, reset the PRAM, booted in Safe Mode, etc. all to no avail.

Checked the Console and found a variation on this message again & again:

LaunchServices/5123589: coreservicesd is running an unsupported version, 0 ( we are 10500000 ), so we cannot talk to it.

Spotlight had been operating erratically from the time this first started (indexing a disk that should have already been indexed), and after a reboot, the Finder seemed to go freaky as soon as Spotlight stopped indexing...usually about 2-10 minutes.

In the end, I used Time Machine to restore from this morning, when there were no apparent problems. So far, everything is back to normal.

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Answer 5

Nov 7, 2008 5:11 PM in response to mrmoose18

This is an irritating problem. I've tried relaunching the finder, dock, deleting the dock preferences (~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.dock.plist) and archive and install.

I've checked preferences and repaired disks.

It's still happening.

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Answer 6

lmilne

Level 1

9 points

Nov 23, 2008 9:43 AM in response to futz55

Having the same problem on the iBook 1.33 G4, but running OS X 10.5.5.

Found the solution here:
http://forums.macnn.com/90/mac-os-x/378724/application-launched-indicators-missi ng-open-apps/

Go to Utilities/Activities Monitor. Quit the dock and it will relaunch.

Didn't even require a reboot.

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Answer 7

futz55 Author

Level 1

10 points

Jan 6, 2009 2:44 PM in response to lmilne

This is still happening with my iMac and I started to get a totally different problem at the same time, I would get an error message "The application "<name of the application>" cannot be launched. -10810", it happened with all applications once it started. If I quit 2 or 3 other apps then I could usually open the program I wanted or if I rebooted it was fine for a while.

I got sick of both of my problems and trying to troubleshot a solution so I did a total erase and install of Leopard last week, I updated all my software, put all my music/photos/movies etc. back on and all was fine until this morning when I got the f#$king command tab problem again. I haven't got the 10810 error message again YET but I'm so pi$$ed that my command tab problem is back, its enough to make me switch to windows. I'm gonna talk to Apple again tonight and I expect that I will get the same useless advice, I'm gonna start pushing for a new machine, I doubt I'll get any where, failing that I'm going to drop it off at a Apple store when I go on leave for 3 weeks and tell them to fix it.

Appreciate the advice Imilne but using Activity Monitor to relaunch the Dock is not a solution its just a short term fix, I'm still searching for the cause of the problem and a permanent fix.

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Answer 8

Jesse80

Level 1

0 points

Mar 9, 2009 5:39 AM in response to futz55

I started having apple tab issues a while back, it would work at start up, then stop working some time after. I tried all of the suggestions on this page which worked for a short time before the problem came back, just as if i had re-started. I have since found that the problem was linked to my screen saver, I had installed a screen saver downloaded of the internet and removing this screen saver and deleting screen saver preferences has fixed this issue permanently. It sounds like some of the issues people are experiencing here are a little more complicated than this but it sure worked for me.

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Answer 9

Dukeh

Level 1

8 points

Apr 7, 2009 12:12 AM in response to Jesse80

I started having this same problem over the weekend (at least the Command-Tab) not switching applications. I did a little digging and I discovered that a reboot would correct the problem. I'd use the machine for a while - step away, and when I came back the screensaver was running. I would move the mouse - get back my active screen, then CMD-Tab no longer worked.

I then remembered that I have changed my screen saver earlier that day from Pictures-Cosmos to Apple-Arabesque. Once I changed it back to Cosmos - all worked fine.

This fixed it for me - you may want to check out your screensaver as a possible culprit.

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Answer 10

futz55 Author

Level 1

10 points

Oct 27, 2008 8:07 PM in response to futz55

bump

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Answer 11

Tom359

Level 1

0 points

Nov 6, 2008 1:17 PM in response to futz55

Did you ever figure this out? I just started having the exact same problem!

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