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Level 1

5 points

Spaces stuck as a result need to kill Dock.app

Hello, many times when I press the key combination (ctr + number) or (ctr + Arrow keys) to change workspace this little window that shows on what workspace I'm going to never disappears and some times it disappears after a lot of time (like over 20 - 30 minutes) but I cannot use my keyboard (nor the build in macbook pro neither the wireless) so to solve this temporary I have to kill Dock.app from activity monitor to be able to use the keyboard again... until the next time it happens again (and it happens many times trust me....)

Check this screenshot too http://twitpic.com/112m9a

Thanks in advance

MacBook Pro 2.5, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Feb 2, 2010 1:29 PM

35 replies

marlouin

Level 1

5 points

May 24, 2010 5:56 AM in response to marlouin

You can also make an applescript to quit the Dock.

Open applescript editor and write :

quit application "Dock"

Save as an app and you're done.

fyysh

Level 1

0 points

Jun 11, 2010 6:38 AM in response to Tim Shubitz

Same issue here.

But also only after i have used ScreenSharing.app to connect to a remote Mac.
After i've done so, i cannot use Spaces anymore because it will always hang when I switch to another space using keyboard shortcuts (ctrl+right/left in my case).
I have to reboot or log out and log in again to get rid of it.

I really hope Apple gets this fixed. It's very annoying. This bug "destroys" my workflow.

Jun 21, 2010 7:47 AM in response to Tim Shubitz

I've found that when Spaces comes up from using a key command to switch between the various spaces (I use option-1,2,3,4 to switch between Spaces 1-4), if you hold the key command for a couple of seconds or so, Spaces returns to regular use and doesn't continue being stuck (at least for a while anyway).

- tim

agrobbin

Level 1

0 points

Jun 28, 2010 8:17 AM in response to panosru

I've bene having this problem consistently over the past 6 months and have noticed that, at least for me, it only happens when I have an external bluetooth-enabled keyboard connected to my laptop.

Has anyone had any luck talking to Apple about getting it fixed in the next release of Snow Leopard?

direwolf8

Level 4

1,280 points

Jun 28, 2010 12:08 PM in response to agrobbin

Since the problem has persisted since 10.6.0 when it was first reported, it doesn't look like its a high priority. I'd encourage you to file a separate bug report. The more they get, the more likely they are to fix it.

Jul 5, 2010 9:29 PM in response to panosru

Actually, you don't have to kill Dock.app. Another way to clear the condition, and restore your keyboard, is to have Fast User Switching enabled, and choose "Login Window..." from the menu in the upper-right. Then just click on your self, reenter your password and all is back to normal. Note: this isn't logging you out, just switching out and back in, so everything is just where you left it.

That said, this is one annoying bug!

Aphoid

Level 1

16 points

Aug 30, 2010 1:58 PM in response to Tim Shubitz

I too suffer this problem with some regularity on a late '08 MacBook Unibody, but I've found some easier workarounds. First, I discovered that if I closed and reopened the lid of my laptop, it would go away. Also, and even eaiser, it seems that shift-control-eject (i.e. "put screen to sleep") makes it go away.

panosru Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 28, 2010 11:16 AM in response to Tim Shubitz

2010 is about to end and we still suffer from this annoying bug, I think that it will be solved in Lion (at least we can prey :P )

PS: The trick with login window is easier and better than killing the dock since that if you just kill the dock most of the times when you switch again you will have the same issue.

Personally I have this problem when I run Adium, I tried to close Adium for a week and see how it goes and everything worked perfect today I run Adium again and got the same issue almost immediately :P

rkomorn

Level 1

0 points

Nov 30, 2010 10:08 AM in response to panosru

I can't even begin to describe how impossibly bananas this bug drives me. Especially since I've yet to figure out a way to reproduce it intentionally (while apparently finding plenty of unintentional ways of reproducing it).

The login window trick works (mostly) but it's just silliy and time consuming. Especially when I'm at work and hampered by this bug.

Dec 2, 2010 12:16 AM in response to panosru

Wanted to throw in my own experience. What's weird is it only started about a month ago for me, and I've Snow Leopard since it was released. I can't think of any new program I started using in that time. :/

EDIT: Actually ... in that time I registered SizeUp by Irradiated Software (nice little utility). Google pointed me to a support page that was blaming another piece of Irradiated software for the bug ( http://getsatisfaction.com/irradiatedsoftware/topics/cinchcausing_switching_spaces_by_hotkey_to_stuck_the_screenkeyboard). Anyone else using their software and seeing this bug?

Message was edited by: AlexCinSF

BiOgErM

Level 1

5 points

Jan 26, 2011 2:32 PM in response to panosru

same problem, I also found that the cinch forum could be helpful. Here are some info of my computer:

I use:

*Cinch 1.0.1*
*Microsoft Wireless Keyboard Driver Software*

Is everyone has these two or at least one running on the Mac? It seems Cinch 1.0.2 fixes this problem

Feb 15, 2011 9:11 AM in response to panosru

I'm joining the club. It happened for me while working through VNC. I killed the Dock, and the first time I pressed ctrl-arrow it happened again... I have never had this before, but it seems once it's triggered it will happily happen again.

Apr 25, 2011 10:06 PM in response to panosru

Problem still occurring for me using 10.6.7, all up to date. Usually only starts sticking with the use of control + number key. Filed bug report: 9336411.

Very very annoying, it stops a lot of workflows. Going to try the fast user switching workaround/hack. The only way I could think to get a screenshot of the behavior was to have automator take one for me (didn't want to download freeware screen cap software, usually just fine with apple's offering). Any success ideas or smoking guns?

evets90

Level 1

18 points

May 4, 2011 1:35 PM in response to panosru

I am having the same problem, It's obnoxious. I have to sleep/unsleep the computer to get rid of it. Macbook Air 11.

May 19, 2011 9:40 AM in response to panosru

Same problem. I just gave up on using keyboard to switch spaces. I used my side mouse button. But, I still use the keyboard by habit and more often then not spaces gets stuck. I am very dissapointed this bug has not been fixed yet.

The kill -9 Dock automator app helps.

Anyone have any lucky deleting com.apple.dock.plist?

Spaces stuck as a result need to kill Dock.app