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Spotlight stops working... (maybe amnesia)

This is really annoying problem that I have... Spotlight just stops working after the mac has been awake for while, it just doesn't search for anything. If I check the status in the terminal, it tells me that there's no spotlight index. After I restart the mac spotlight works again. I don't know how this can happen, I mean it seems like Spotlight has amnesia and forgets where it's database is.


First I thought that it's user related and therfore I reinstalled lion (clean install) but the problem remains...

Is someone else experiencing the same problem?

Is there any fix for this?

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.4)

Posted on Jan 12, 2012 3:04 AM

Reply
7 replies

Jan 12, 2012 5:23 AM in response to c0heed

Launch the Console application by entering the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Enter "mdworker" (without the quotes) in the filtering text box. Post the messages that appear in the Console window -- the text, please, not a screenshot. Edit out excessive repeats, if any. Some personal information, such as the names of your files, may be included -- edit that out, too, but don’t remove the context.


Do the same with the search string "mds".

Jan 12, 2012 7:52 AM in response to Linc Davis

Ok this is what I found (there was only something in the system.log):

Jan 11 01:07:23 Yoda com.apple.launchd.peruser.89[20736] (com.apple.mdworker.pool.0): Throttling respawn: Will start in 6 seconds

Jan 11 08:23:15 Yoda com.apple.launchd.peruser.89[21181] (com.apple.mdworker.pool.0): Throttling respawn: Will start in 3 seconds

Jan 11 09:10:54 Yoda com.apple.launchd.peruser.89[22539] (com.apple.mdworker.pool.0): Throttling respawn: Will start in 8 seconds

Jan 11 10:09:47 Yoda com.apple.launchd.peruser.89[24159] (com.apple.mdworker.pool.0): Throttling respawn: Will start in 9 seconds


User uploaded file

Jan 12, 2012 8:05 AM in response to c0heed

Launch the Console application by entering the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search, and look under "System Diagnostic Reports" for crash logs related to "mdworker". Select the most recent one and post the contents -- the text, please, not a screenshot. For privacy’s sake, I suggest you edit out the “Anonymous UUID,” a long string of letters, numbers, and dashes in the header of the report. Please don't post "shutdownStall" or "hang" reports.

Jan 12, 2012 8:55 AM in response to c0heed

Please read this whole message before doing anything.


This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.


The purpose of this exercise is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login. Boot in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. First, disconnect all wired peripherals except keyboard, mouse, and monitor, if applicable, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. The instructions provided by Apple are as follows:


  • Be sure your Mac is shut down.
  • Press the power button.
  • Immediately after you hear the startup tone, hold the Shift key. The Shift key should be held as soon as possible after the startup tone, but not before the tone.
  • Release the Shift key when you see the gray Apple icon and the progress indicator (looks like a spinning gear).


The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.


Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including your login items.


Launch the Console application and check the system log again. Same messages? Does Spotlight work?


After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode.)

Spotlight stops working... (maybe amnesia)

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