finder flashes, can't access trash, desktop files disappeared...

I had this problem where - Finder and the Desktop icons would Flash off then back on.

This was obviously Finder switching off and back on again.

I discovered that Google Drive was causing the problem.

I deleted the Google Drive app, went to my Google Drive account online and re downloaded the Drive for Mac.

Deleted the Google Drive Folder on my iMac to get Google Drive logon.

Started the new Google Drive app and logged in.

All my files downloaded into a new Google Drive Folder.

System is stable again.

Hope this helps!

SteveBWisbey wrote:

I had this problem where - Finder and the Desktop icons would Flash off then back on.

This was obviously Finder switching off and back on again.

I discovered that Google Drive was causing the problem.

I deleted the Google Drive app, went to my Google Drive account online and re downloaded the Drive for Mac.

Deleted the Google Drive Folder on my iMac to get Google Drive logon.

Started the new Google Drive app and logged in.

All my files downloaded into a new Google Drive Folder.

System is stable again.

Hope this helps!

I also have been having the problem of Finder, suddenly and without warning, closing and my NFS network icon disappearing until reboot. In addition, every 60 seconds the remaining two Desktop icons (Macintosh HD and my external drive) would flash off/on. As narrated above, I discarded Google Drive and its associated files, including the Google Drive folder. Then I got a new Google Drive app, which created the folder anew, and all seems stable again.

Thanks to SteveBWisbey for the clue that ridded me of a problem that had been going on for a while. I've given him a "Like" but I don't know how to put the "This solved my question" here to give him 10 points.

This hint solved my problem. It appears Google Drive needs to be updated to work with Mavericks. I was on the phone with Apple when I read this hint. I think they learned something today. I tried reinstalling Google Drive, and as soon as I opened it, the Finder crashed again. Bye bye Google Drive until it gets fixed.

Finder flashes but did not open. I used the Terminal solution and it worked perfectly. Tricky part was trying to type in password . I should have read the instructions more carefully. Thank You, 3 years later .