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User profile for user: iExtreme
iExtreme Author
User level: Level 1
58 points

Unable to move files in Finder

Hi,


Starting today, suddenly and surprisingly, I am no longer able to move files via Finder or on my Desktop. When I click on a file, it is selected and the name of the file is high lighted in blue. I can move it around the screen but it is "stuck" to the cursor. When I let go of the mouse button, the file remains stuck to the cursor and sometimes, I can interact with various elements, i.e. buttons, etc. as if the file had never been selected, yet its icon remains attached to the cursor. After a while, the icon will disappear.


I have tried restarting, shutting down and restarting and repairing permissions without success. Any advice would be much appreciated.


Also, looks like auto-correction and spelling is no longer working either as it doesn't recognize misspelled words anymore.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.3), 15" Mid-2009, 8GB, 500 Hybrid SSD

Posted on Apr 4, 2012 8:52 AM

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9 replies
User profile for user: MadisonP
MadisonP
User level: Level 5
4,832 points

Apr 4, 2012 10:08 PM in response to iExtreme

Greetings,


  1. SafeBoot and then restart as normal and test: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1455
  2. Create a new admin user account on your computer: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.7/en/mtusr001.html
    • If the issue does not occur in the new user then the issue might be related to a permissions issue in that specific user account (Repairing disk permissions won't fix that). Follow this article which will result in the user permissions being reset: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1428
    • If the issue does occur in a new user then download and install the combo update: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1484


Hope that helps!

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User profile for user: iExtreme
iExtreme Author
User level: Level 1
58 points

Apr 5, 2012 7:27 AM in response to MadisonP

Hi MadisonP,


Thank you for your reply, I appreciate it.


I tried SafeBooting, logged into my account and I could move files without a problem. I then restarted the Mac, again logged into my account and the problem persisted. Any thoughts on why that is?


On a side note, I looked more thoroughly across the Internet and found a discussion on this very topic. A suggestion for a "quick and temporary" fix is simply to put your Mac into sleep and then wake it up. I tried this and it works just fine, but it means that every time I restart the Mac or shut it down, the first things I have to do is to put it to sleep before I can use it. Any ideas why this is and/or what is causing it.


I tried creating a new user admin account and the problems is exactly the same with the new account.


Is there a point in trying to reset the permissions for my account or should I just reinstall the combo pack straight away?


I appreciate your thoughts and suggestions on this issue. Thank you.

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User profile for user: MadisonP
MadisonP
User level: Level 5
4,832 points

Apr 5, 2012 11:24 AM in response to iExtreme

I haven't had this issue myself with my MacBook Pro but if others are reporting it, let Apple know: http://www.apple.com/feedback/macosx.html


As this issue is occurring system-wide altering your user account's permissions won't have any bearing on the behavior.


I would:

  1. Backup your data: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1427
  2. Boot to Lion Recovery and run Disk Utility > Repair Disk of your hard drive: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4718
  3. While booted to the normal OS, run Disk Utility > Repair Disk Permissions
  4. As the issue did not occur in SafeBoot there may be a startup item installed which is causing the issue:

    Check for and remove any items you don't need from the following locations and restart the computer (These are empty by default so if you find anything, it wasn't added by Apple and you may want to take it out.):

    • /System/Library/StartupItems
    • /Library/StartupItems
  5. Remove /Library/Fonts/ to your desktop -- If the folder copies, delete the original once the copy is complete and then restart the computer into SafeBoot and back out and test (This clears the font cache of the fonts you just removed). (If this doesn't fix the issue, put the folder back and restart again).
  6. Install the combo update and test: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1484
  7. Failing all the above, reinstall your OS: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.7/en/mchlp1599.html
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User profile for user: iExtreme
iExtreme Author
User level: Level 1
58 points

Apr 6, 2012 7:43 AM in response to MadisonP

Hi MadisonP,


Tried repairing the disk as you said in step 2 and it did recoginze 2 or 2 faults. I restarted and repaired the permissions in my user account but the issue persisted.


I also tried clearing all startup items as you suggested in step 4, as well as manually from the account preferences; and I also removed the font folders but non of these resolved the problem.


I'm surprised as it always works once the Mac has been to sleep.


I finally tried installing the combo but neither this solved it. Luckily enough, I had a 4 day old external clone of the internal HDD so I formatted the HDD and did a restore from the external clone. Lost a few files, but nothing major. It all works perfectly now and this makes me think the issue must be due to an app I installed in the last few days. Only ones I can remember are the Mac clients for Air Display and Air Video (for the iPad). Will look into this further and install them more carefully.


I appreciate your time and effort.

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User profile for user: iExtreme
iExtreme Author
User level: Level 1
58 points

Apr 10, 2012 7:22 AM in response to iExtreme

Hi y'all,


Just wanted to update this post for anyone who comes across it looking for a fix, facing a similar situation.


Symptom: Unable to move files in Finder or Desktop


Quickfix: After every logout/restart/shutdown, put your Mac to sleep and after awakening this should solve the problem.


Proper solution: Do a clean reinstallation. If you have a clone or TimeMachine backup of your HDD, you can use this to restore your harddrive. Otherwise, I would recommend to manually transfer files and reinstall all Apps to ensure the system works properly.


Reason: Most likely, the cause of the problem was an app called AirDisplay


Hope this helps.

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Unable to move files in Finder

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