Desktop icons flashing/refreshing periodically.

Back up all data.

Uninstall Google Drive according to the developer's instructions.

Uninstall SIMBL as follows.

Select Go ▹ Go to Folder… from the Finder menu bar, then enter the following text in the box that opens:

/Library

A folder will open. From that folder, delete the items listed below (some may be absent.) You may be prompted for your administrator login password.

Application Support/SIMBL

InputManagers/SIMBL.bundle

LaunchAgents/net.culater.SIMBL.Agent.plist

ScriptingAdditions/SIMBL.osax

Log out and log back in.

Make sure you never reinstall SIMBL. It’s likely to come bundled with another third-party system modfication that depends on it. If you want trouble-free computing, avoid software that makes miraculous changes to other software, especially built-in applications. The only real exception to that rule is Safari extensions, which are mostly safe, and are easy to get rid of when they don’t work. SIMBL and its dependents are not Safari extensions.

In case someone else finds this thread I was able to stop this behavior by simply quitting Google Drive.

I was having same problem, so I also quit the google drive and so far the desktop icons have not disappeared.

Not sure if I am all that happy with the new OS Maverick that I installed on my iMac 27inch, since then I have lost the wi fi settings on my TV , my Tivio still wont connect either then this problem with the icons, which were fine before new Maverick install. As I had Google drive installed way before Maverick, so not sure if its a coincidence or what.

Its been about 10 mins now and the icons blinking on/off seems to have stopped. So try shutting down Google drive.

Thanks for your help, still love my Mac🙂

OHMIGAWD! I just quit Google Drive and eureka! Thanks so much, all.

Same thing here!! It seems Google Drive was the issue!

Thank god that has stopped...it was driving me insane!

Yes Brilliant - that fixed my problem as well.

Quitting Google drive did the trick for me as well but just disabling 'show file sync status' in GD prefs seems to be sufficient also.

Thanks. Killing Google Drive did it for me also. No sign of SMBL, but I note the warning.

It's odd, because the icon flashing just started this morning. 😕

Regards from Canberra

Shane

I've found this thread as a result of searching for a cure for the Flashing icons on the Desktop. Mine started when I installed Copy - similar to Dropbox. I'm going to Uninstall SMBL and Google Drive now too. Thanks.

What if I don't have Google Drive installed and it keeps happening??!

THIS IS SO ANNOYING! please help, i cannot work like this!!

Thank you for mentioning copy! That was my issue.

Dear Linc Davis:

When U die U must Be Carried 2 Heaven By Rampent Christian Virgins 'cos U are a Legend! Thank you!

Same issue here, and thanks for the solution, it worked.

the crappy google drive.

I will uninstall this app asap.

thanks again for the insight.