Have to click twice for mouse to do anything

ugh.. this is killing me.. I've had this issue since cloning my system across to my new MBP using superduper last week. the old lappie had issues, but this was not one of them!

restart has not helped, and i plan to do a clean install when i have time.

I experience the problem in Finder, Firefox, Journler... pretty much everything, really.. its almost like I need to give a button focus before it will accept a click, but that can apply to two link next to eachother on the same page!

Also, I've found that there is some kind of intermittent persistent-mouse-down behaviour happening, which i've seen in photoshop, keynote and finder, i believe. As an example, I could single-click a file in finder and move the mouse away, resulting in a selection box being drawn. If I Cmd-Tab to another app, i may not be able to use that app until i go back to the offending click-stealer (eg finder) and give it a firm click to trigger a mouse-up... this is my interpretation of whats going on.. not based on any technical background... I haven't had time to really document this bug, sorry.

I'm running 10.6.8 on a 2011 MBP i7 2.2g. This occurs for my trackpad, magic mouse and hp-laser-usb-mouse.

After examining my logs I’m seeing many references to FFhelper, and I realise that I installed Function Flip recently: http://kevingessner.com/software/functionflip/

It seems to work most of the time, but fails sometimes.. then it tells me its running, I stop the service, then restart it and it functions again.

I’ll be switching it off for a while.

Update: much improved performance with FunctionFlip switched off...

I’m also a longtime user of Better Touch tool and Launchbar, which have never caused a problem.

these messages occur most regularly for firefox and thunderbird.

Some patterns:

14/08/11 11:36:08 PM    firefox-bin[301]    kCGErrorIllegalArgument: CGSShapeWindow

14/08/11 11:36:08 PM    LaunchBar[244]    kCGErrorIllegalArgument: CGSShapeWindow

14/08/11 11:36:08 PM    thunderbird-bin[15334]    kCGErrorIllegalArgument: CGSShapeWindow

14/08/11 11:36:08 PM    Pages[16796]    kCGErrorIllegalArgument: CGSShapeWindow

14/08/11 11:36:08 PM    Journler[16026]    kCGErrorIllegalArgument: CGSShapeWindow

14/08/11 11:36:08 PM    loginwindow[39]    kCGErrorIllegalArgument: CGSShapeWindow

14/08/11 11:36:08 PM    SystemUIServer[208]    kCGErrorIllegalArgument: CGSShapeWindow

14/08/11 11:36:08 PM    com.apple.SystemUIServer.agent[208]    Sun Aug 14 23:36:08 Tims-MacBook-Pro.local SystemUIServer[208] <Error>: kCGErrorIllegalArgument: CGSShapeWindow

15/08/11 5:33:11 PM    FFHelperApp[15994]    got kCGEventTapDisabledByTimeout, reenabling tap

15/08/11 5:33:29 PM    FFHelperApp[15994]    got kCGEventTapDisabledByTimeout, reenabling tap

15/08/11 5:36:06 PM    FFHelperApp[15994]    got kCGEventTapDisabledByTimeout, reenabling tap

15/08/11 5:42:36 PM    FFHelperApp[15994]    got kCGEventTapDisabledByTimeout, reenabling tap

15/08/11 5:47:15 PM    FFHelperApp[15994]    got kCGEventTapDisabledByTimeout, reenabling tap

15/08/11 5:47:28 PM    FFHelperApp[15994]    got kCGEventTapDisabledByTimeout, reenabling tap

15/08/11 5:57:13 PM    FFHelperApp[15994]    got kCGEventTapDisabledByTimeout, reenabling tap

15/08/11 5:57:16 PM    thunderbird-bin[15334]    kCGErrorIllegalArgument: CGSGetWindowLevel

15/08/11 5:57:16 PM    [0x0-0x19f19f].org.mozilla.thunderbird[15334]    Mon Aug 15 17:57:16 Tims-MacBook-Pro.local thunderbird-bin[15334] <Error>: kCGErrorIllegalArgument: CGSGetWindowLevel

15/08/11 5:57:16 PM    firefox-bin[301]    kCGErrorIllegalArgument: CGSGetWindowLevel

15/08/11 5:57:16 PM    thunderbird-bin[15334]    kCGErrorIllegalArgument: _CGSFindSharedWindow: WID 4304

15/08/11 5:57:16 PM    [0x0-0x2c02c].org.mozilla.firefox[301]    Mon Aug 15 17:57:16 Tims-MacBook-Pro.local firefox-bin[301] <Error>: kCGErrorIllegalArgument: CGSGetWindowLevel

15/08/11 5:57:16 PM    firefox-bin[301]    kCGErrorIllegalArgument: _CGSFindSharedWindow: WID 4314

15/08/11 5:57:16 PM    [0x0-0x19f19f].org.mozilla.thunderbird[15334]    Mon Aug 15 17:57:16 Tims-MacBook-Pro.local thunderbird-bin[15334] <Error>: kCGErrorIllegalArgument: _CGSFindSharedWindow: WID 4304

15/08/11 5:57:16 PM    thunderbird-bin[15334]    kCGErrorIllegalArgument: CGSGetWindowAlpha

15/08/11 5:57:16 PM    [0x0-0x2c02c].org.mozilla.firefox[301]    Mon Aug 15 17:57:16 Tims-MacBook-Pro.local firefox-bin[301] <Error>: kCGErrorIllegalArgument: _CGSFindSharedWindow: WID 4314

15/08/11 5:57:16 PM    firefox-bin[301]    kCGErrorIllegalArgument: CGSGetWindowAlpha

15/08/11 5:57:16 PM    [0x0-0x19f19f].org.mozilla.thunderbird[15334]    Mon Aug 15 17:57:16 Tims-MacBook-Pro.local thunderbird-bin[15334] <Error>: kCGErrorIllegalArgument: CGSGetWindowAlpha

15/08/11 5:57:16 PM    thunderbird-bin[15334]    kCGErrorIllegalArgument: CGSGetScreenRectForWindow

15/08/11 5:57:16 PM    [0x0-0x2c02c].org.mozilla.firefox[301]    Mon Aug 15 17:57:16 Tims-MacBook-Pro.local firefox-bin[301] <Error>: kCGErrorIllegalArgument: CGSGetWindowAlpha

15/08/11 5:57:16 PM    [0x0-0x19f19f].org.mozilla.thunderbird[15334]    Mon Aug 15 17:57:16 Tims-MacBook-Pro.local thunderbird-bin[15334] <Error>: kCGErrorIllegalArgument: CGSGetScreenRectForWindow

15/08/11 5:57:16 PM    firefox-bin[301]    kCGErrorIllegalArgument: CGSGetScreenRectForWindow

15/08/11 5:57:16 PM    thunderbird-bin[15334]    kCGErrorIllegalArgument: _CGSFindSharedWindow: WID 4314

15/08/11 5:57:16 PM    [0x0-0x2c02c].org.mozilla.firefox[301]    Mon Aug 15 17:57:16 Tims-MacBook-Pro.local firefox-bin[301] <Error>: kCGErrorIllegalArgument: CGSGetScreenRectForWindow

15/08/11 5:57:16 PM    [0x0-0x19f19f].org.mozilla.thunderbird[15334]    Mon Aug 15 17:57:16 Tims-MacBook-Pro.local thunderbird-bin[15334] <Error>: kCGErrorIllegalArgument: _CGSFindSharedWindow: WID 4314

15/08/11 5:57:16 PM    thunderbird-bin[15334]    kCGErrorIllegalArgument: CGSGetWindowLevel

15/08/11 5:57:16 PM    [0x0-0x19f19f].org.mozilla.thunderbird[15334]    Mon Aug 15 17:57:16 Tims-MacBook-Pro.local thunderbird-bin[15334] <Error>: kCGErrorIllegalArgument: CGSGetWindowLevel

15/08/11 5:57:16 PM    thunderbird-bin[15334]    kCGErrorIllegalArgument: _CGSFindSharedWindow: WID 4314

15/08/11 5:57:16 PM    [0x0-0x19f19f].org.mozilla.thunderbird[15334]    Mon Aug 15 17:57:16 Tims-MacBook-Pro.local thunderbird-bin[15334] <Error>: kCGErrorIllegalArgument: _CGSFindSharedWindow: WID 4314

15/08/11 5:57:16 PM    thunderbird-bin[15334]    kCGErrorIllegalArgument: CGSGetWindowAlpha

15/08/11 5:57:16 PM    [0x0-0x19f19f].org.mozilla.thunderbird[15334]    Mon Aug 15 17:57:16 Tims-MacBook-Pro.local thunderbird-bin[15334] <Error>: kCGErrorIllegalArgument: CGSGetWindowAlpha

15/08/11 5:57:16 PM    thunderbird-bin[15334]    kCGErrorIllegalArgument: CGSGetScreenRectForWindow

15/08/11 5:57:16 PM    [0x0-0x19f19f].org.mozilla.thunderbird[15334]    Mon Aug 15 17:57:16 Tims-MacBook-Pro.local thunderbird-bin[15334] <Error>: kCGErrorIllegalArgument: CGSGetScreenRectForWindow

15/08/11 5:57:36 PM    FFHelperApp[15994]    got kCGEventTapDisabledByTimeout, reenabling tap

15/08/11 5:58:43 PM    [0x0-0x2ac2ac].org.videolan.vlc[25639]    [0x100202b98] main libvlc: Running vlc with the default interface. Use 'cvlc' to use vlc without interface.

15/08/11 5:58:47 PM    FFHelperApp[15994]    got kCGEventTapDisabledByTimeout, reenabling tap

15/08/11 6:00:22 PM    FFHelperApp[15994]    got kCGEventTapDisabledByTimeout, reenabling tap

15/08/11 6:10:23 PM    FFHelperApp[15994]    got kCGEventTapDisabledByTimeout, reenabling tap

15/08/11 7:42:27 PM    Adobe Photoshop CS5[18587]    _NXGetScreenRect: error getting display bounds (1001)

15/08/11 7:42:28 PM    Adobe Photoshop CS5[18587]    kCGErrorIllegalArgument: CGSGetDisplayBounds (display b413df5)

15/08/11 7:42:28 PM    Adobe Photoshop CS5[18587]    _NXGetScreenRect: error getting display bounds (1001)

15/08/11 7:42:28 PM    [0x0-0x1fd1fd].com.adobe.Photoshop[18587]    Mon Aug 15 19:42:28 Tims-MacBook-Pro.local Adobe Photoshop CS5[18587] <Error>: kCGErrorIllegalArgument: CGSGetDisplayBounds (display b413df5)

Experiencing this too. I must say that clicking my trackpad often registers a click better than merely tapping it. Besides, BetterTouchTool does not particularly like Spotify...maybe some conflict in the background? However, also happens when Spotify is not launched...pretty annoying indeed.

Same thing here. Really annoying. Bought MBP and installed Lion hoping everything will be smooth. And there's this awful bug.

Sad thing that this thing isn't constant so neither can I get used to clicking everything twice nor show the bug to someone who could fix it (service center e.g.)

just make a clean install of Lion without using Time Machine to transfer your data. This way the bug will go away. I transfered all my data manually, folder by folder. And everything works great now.

I was finally able to isolate the source of the problem on my machine. The problem was the program “type it for me”. Once I disabled this program on both of my machines and rebooted the problem went away. It seems to have something to do with the Universal access settings. when the setting “enable access for assistive devices” is checked and “type it for me” is open, I get the double-click phenomena.

I hope this helps someone.

Didn't have this program, but unticking "enable access for assistive devices" helped. Thanks!

I dont have any of the apps / utilities mentioned in this thread, nor do I have any of the Universal access turned on, yet this left mouse click problem is a real PITA. Mac mini 10.6.8 using USB mouse (tried a couple different ones). Right click never seems to be a problem just left.

Hey,

so, I did a clean install of Lion..issue is still there:(

Not using Spotify / "Type it for me" / Universal Access.

Programs installed: MS Office, Chrome, Skype, Aperture, uTorrent, Firefox, Adobe Reader.

Any other ideas / suggestions?

hey so, i've been experiencing this for a while (it started when i installed the 10.6.8 supplemental update), and have had a while to figure out its exact mechanics:

it follows a 5 second rule: i refer to it as "forgetting". essentially, if you have not made an action* within the past 5 seconds, it "forgets" what clicking is, and you have to "remind" it by giving it a refresher click. after that, if you click within 5 seconds, it will work fine. any longer, it will "forget" again. this even applies if you're in the middle of a click and drag, and you'll have to let go and then press down again, which invariably results in the system releasing the click-hold (needless to say, i've learned to be quick when clicking and dragging).

*an "action" is here defined as: a click, or a key press that does something (such as command-c, but not just pressing the command key). simply moving the cursor, or scrolling (using a trackpad) does not qualify.

i do use FunctionFlip, and get the console message

"FFHelperApp[295] got kCGEventTapDisabledByTimeout, reenabling tap"

...but the clicking fun continues even after i disable FF

i put this out here in hopes that others can confirm they are having the same "5 second rule" issue i am.

Hey, I did have this problem, and I noticed I had VLC running in the background.

Since exiting the program the problem has gone.

Don't know if it's a specific issue with having VLC open, or certain types of background apps/programs.

Yes, the 5 second thing seems to be true for my iMac as well. I can click as much as I like, then wait 5 seconds and then need to click twice and then it's OK again until the next 5 seconds without any clicks occurring. Wierd!

UPDATE: OK, I think my issue may be similar to the previous poster. I went through and killed most of the apps running on the top taskbar and the issue seems to have gone. The apps were as follows (not sure which one did it, will need to investigate further):

Splashtop Streamer

FaceTab

ServeToMe

DropBox

AirServer

Flexiglass <---- UPDATE2: LOOKS LIKE FOR ME IT'S THIS ONE!

i just found out it was MagicPrefs. after I quit it the effect was gone and everything is working perfectly.

I had an old 1.4.x version written for Leopard so it could be its incompatibility with Lion, there is a new version dedicated for Lion but i don't know if I need it that bad.

it feels so good when the mac listens to every click and cursor movement with no lag!

just discovered it was having VLC running in the background for me that caused it

Anyone found the root cause & how to fix? (a bit silly having to close an app to get your mouse working properly)

Same problem for me on my Mac Pro. I can't remember when it started. Sigh. I'll try reinstalling OS X from scratch. If that doesn't work, I may have to switch back to Windows.

Hi, I have the same problem and it's extremly annoying.

Even changing tabs or moving the marker typing this comment I have to click twice.

It appears intermittent and I haven't isolated any cause. A restart helps sometimes, and sometimes not.

Edit: Same problem in both Snow Leopard and Lion.