10.6.8 and User Switching Display Issues

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Level 1

0 points

10.6.8 and User Switching Display Issues

Hi,

Installed latest update 10.6.8 but now when switching from one user account to another (have 2 admin users setup) , instead of the graphic desktop rotate between user desktops, it instantly shows the desktop you selected (with all apps/windows open), screen fades in blue and then fades back to the desktop that it showed you. I haven't changed a thing apart the install.

Anyone else encountering this and how do I fix it..I do like the speed, but the blue flash is irritating to say the least. Only issue I have.

Any thoughts? Help!

Cheers.... 🙂

Running iMac 2009 i5, upgraded from 10.6.7

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.7)

Posted on Jun 24, 2011 9:48 AM

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Answer 1

Kyzelios

Level 2

285 points

Jun 25, 2011 4:23 AM in response to Angelray

I'm not seeing this issue with Mac OS X 10.6.8 on my 15-inch MacBook Pro (Mid 2010). Have you tried applying the Combo Update from Apple's Support Downloads page?

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Answer 2

Cbody

Level 1

5 points

Jun 25, 2011 6:16 AM in response to Angelray

I am seeing this issue too. I am on a 2008 iMac, and upgraded from 10.6.7 as well.

@ Kyzelios: why would the combo update affect the system differently than the simple 10.6.8 update?

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Answer 3

Chachi

Level 4

2,525 points

Jun 25, 2011 8:42 AM in response to Angelray

Experiencing this exact same issue since upgrading to 10.6.8 on my iMac8,1. I used the combo updater. Have tried all the usual fixes to no avail. Will report back if I find any leads. In the meantime, I would recommend filing a bug report with Apple. Maybe this is a "new feature", but I surely hope not! 😕

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Answer 4

Angelray Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 25, 2011 8:51 AM in response to Kyzelios

Only used the standard update method. unsure exactly how the combo would affect, but I see that others have used the combo and are experiencing the same issue

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Answer 5

Angelray Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 25, 2011 8:55 AM in response to Cbody

Glad I'm not alone or imagining it. Noticed that switching to an account that is logged off, you see the normal effect of rotation, but before it fully completes you get the flash of blue screen. Same issue then persists. Have restarted the machine, no effect.

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Answer 6

Angelray Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 25, 2011 8:56 AM in response to Chachi

Probably best idea. Hope it isn't a new feature...it's just annoying 😟

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Answer 7

Chachi

Level 4

2,525 points

Jun 25, 2011 9:02 AM in response to Angelray

Totally agreed! I don't think this is expected behavior at all. I can also confirm I'm noticing the same behavior as you stated to Cbody.

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Answer 8

Angelray Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 25, 2011 9:40 AM in response to Angelray

Telephoned Apple support (might as well get my moneys worth) and discussed the issue. Seems that that changes have been made in the 10.6.8 to make fast user switching faster and is "expected behaviour".

Hmm..not wholly convinced as the Apple advisor didn't know about it but he tested on his machine and guess what? .. he has the same behaviour.

So apparently behaviour is:

- Switching to a user not logged in, you get the standard desktop rotate

- Switching to a user already logged in, you get the instance display of user desktop, flash of blue and desktop reappears ..... but it is faster, annoying.. but faster

Don't know people think about it.....?

Note: Strange he had me power the machine down, pull power cable out, press the on button for fifteen secs, plug back in and switch on. Machine started with fans on full blast so assume some special mode or reset of something)

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Answer 9

MAP_23

Level 1

0 points

Jun 26, 2011 9:01 PM in response to Angelray

Hi. When I upgraded I had a problem with Parallels 6. Have had to change "Dock XP items on Mac Doc" switch off, reinstalled complete op system back to 10.6.3, then restored data from time machine. And upgraded combo back to 10.6.8. Now I experience what you describe. When I power on my iMac. I get the white apple screen with rotating wheel, then a blue screen, then the login prompt, then another faded in bluescreen, then finally my desktop. When signing out, or restarting, screen goes blue then back to either login or off. Overall my 10.6.8 upgrade has not been a pleasant experience, and now this bluescreen fading in and out makes me think that something is not working properly. I am a relatively new Mac user, and what I have understood is that a bluescreen is indicative of something wrong. Machine is now functioning properly I but after parallels/dock problems I had, and complete restore, I wonder if everything is intact. Glad to see your post because I thought I was the only user with this bluescreen thing.

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Answer 10

Király

Level 6

10,025 points

Jun 26, 2011 9:29 PM in response to Angelray

I am having this issue too. But it only affects one of my seven user accounts. When switching to or between any of the other six, the rotating cube works fine. It's only when switching to my primary account that I have the problem.

Based on the above I believe that some bad file in my home folder is causing it. Likely a bad cache file. I will try and nail down which file it is over the next few days and will post back.

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Answer 11

Angelray Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 26, 2011 10:59 PM in response to Király

Affects all my accounts regardless. Still not convinced that it's 'expect behaviour'. Will be interested to see what you come up with 🙂

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Answer 12

Angelray Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 26, 2011 11:03 PM in response to MAP_23

Really glad I'm not alone on this 🙂

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Answer 13

Király

Level 6

10,025 points

Jun 26, 2011 11:16 PM in response to Király

I found the bad file. I deleted it and logged out/in. Problem solved. Rotating cube is back!

In my case it was an old .plist file, dated February 11 2011. I guess it must have been incompatible with whatever change Apple made to Fast User Switching in 10.6.8.

/Users/me/Library/Preferences/ByHost/com.apple.windowserver.XXXXXXX.plist

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Answer 14

AnaMusic

Level 9

57,562 points

Jun 26, 2011 11:08 PM in response to Angelray

Note: Strange he had me power the machine down, pull power cable out, press the on button for fifteen secs, plug back in and switch on. Machine started with fans on full blast so assume some special mode or reset of something)

Hi Angelray,

Cannot shed any light on your issue... 😟

But, Just thought you might like to know that that is a SMC reset...

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

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Answer 15

Angelray Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 26, 2011 11:29 PM in response to Király

Great news, I'll let you know :)

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