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10.8.3 has not solved 2 key issues

I have posted several issues concerning Mountain Lion since I first installed it a few weeks after it came out in July 2012.


These issues have still NOT been addressed in the latest Mac OS X 10.8.3 update:


  1. Hide others (hide all other open applications) still means that when returning to an eMail in Apple Mail or a note in Apple's Notes program, the cursor is gone, disappeared, and the highlighting is strange too – a weird brown/grey and not the default highlight color. Have to click on another box or note or something to get the cursor to reappear. Over 6 months like this… Have you experienced this? Try to do it and see what you get.
  2. The Finder windows don't retain settings in icon view: Icon size, background color or picture, sorting (reverts to none) and icon /item view all change back to "32x32, white, none and no item preview or icon view checked" Again, please let me know if you see this-- you need to put some pictures as window backgrounds, color them, view in Icon view- set the icon size for something other than 32x32…
  3. A new problem: Never had this issue until 10.8.3: The icons of .webloc which one drags to the Desktop from Safari or otherwise store in folders no longer have an icon picture - they are just a plain white icon with a tab fold-down upper right. Sometimes they appear as before, mostly not.


#2 above is clearly the most annoying and makes icon view almost worthless to use. Constantly resetting key windows-- and funny that it mainly affects the same windows but can happen to any window I open. Often upon a restart, but can happen at anytime.


Comments welcome.


Best regards,



Steve Schulte

Monday 18 March 2013

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion, Also a Mac SE running 6.0.4 - not upgrading that!

Posted on Mar 18, 2013 3:43 AM

Reply
36 replies

Mar 18, 2013 3:56 AM in response to Alberto Ravasio

Alberto,


Thank you for your reply. Most people don't have these issues because they don't use the functions that cause them.


For example if you never use hide others either by the file menu bar or via a program like DragThing or quicksilver which can automatically initiate hide others, then you won't ever experience a missing cursor!


Likewise if you never set windows with backgrounds of photos or pictures and change size and change sort and change choices then you won't notice this either. That is why I am asking people like yourself to set some pictures in windows and change icon size etc. and observe this for at least a week and report back. If everything is satisfactory great but if not I'd like to know.


Others have been having these issues and I believe everyone would if they tested for it. If not, great for you because it is a nightmare.


Thanks,


Steve

Mar 18, 2013 4:26 AM in response to Stephen Schulte1

1) Can't reproduce. I've got Quicksilver, and use it extensively. No issue as you describe. What other third-party software do you use that would affect the mouse cursor? There are a few other threads here where the mouse cursor disappears. Perhaps they are related.


2) That is normally because the .DS_Store file for the folder is corrupt. For the folders that do not retain their settings, delete the .DS_Store file and try again. That's been happening since the beginning of .DS_Store.


3) Yes, indeed, it doesn't have a custom icon anymore.

Mar 18, 2013 4:38 AM in response to Barney-15E

Barney-15E,


THANKS for your comments!


  1. The best way to see this missing cursor issue is simply to start an eMail in Apple Mail, type a few words, then go to another app, any one, then from the Program menu top left next to the Apple menu choose HIDE OTHERS, then go back to your eMail message and see if the cursor is there or not. I use TONS of other programs-- but have tested with and without DragThing, with and without TotalFinder, with and without TextExpander, with and without CopyPaste etc. etc and always the same issue - and others have reported this occuring with PhotoShop, too.
  2. .DS_Store file issue: OK I'd heard something about that recently but wasn't sure what to do. Here's what I've just done: Open TinkerTool in order to make hidden files visible. Relaunch the Finder to have that go into effect. Yup, there's a .DS_Store file-- I put it into the trash, but before I can go back to TinkerTool to make this invisible again I see a new .DS_Store file has been generated (hopefully not a corrupt one!) IS THAT A GOOD WAY TO DO THIS? If not any instructions appreciated and thanks!
  3. webloc icons no longer displaying icon: I imagine if you are seeing this too then Apple will issue a fix??? Should I file a bug report or other report?


Really appreciate this-- I won't mark this solved yet but perhaps soon thanks to your assistance.


Steve

Monday 18 March 2013

Mar 18, 2013 5:02 AM in response to Stephen Schulte1

1. Still can't replicate. I've seen TotalFinder implicated in a few problems, here, but I can't remember the details. With PhotoShop I can believe it. Adobe tends to roll its own user interface, so it is likely not updating correctly.

2. Yes, and it will be recreated automatically. It is the file that stores the window settings. It has never been a solid solution. Been many complaints through the years. I have had success with deleting the file on a few "stuck" windows. My issues were only with the main "Macintosh HD" window, nothing within my Home folder.

3. You should file a bug report if you have a developer account. Otherwise, you can provide Feedback on Apple's website. There isn't a section Finder, so just use the Mac OS X page. With a bug report, you get a tracking number, and possibly a response. If you sign up for a free developer account, you have access to the Bug Reporting. I've never done it that way, so I can only regurgitate what has been posted by others.


If you Get Info on a new webloc file, what does it list as the default application. Mine had iOS Simulator (which I've never used). If you have an old webloc file with the correct icon, what does it list as the default application?

Mar 18, 2013 5:10 AM in response to Barney-15E

Here's some more feedback:


  1. Cursor in Apple Mail disappearing act: I just did this now after a restart:
    1. Open a new message in Mail and start typing then just stop in the middle of a word
    2. Click onto a visible Finder window
    3. Go to Finder and select Hide Others
    4. Go back to Mail via cmd-Tab and select Mail if it is not already selected
    5. The cursor (text cursor) is not there, but the "vertical bar with hooks at each end" is there (what is the name for that, it's not a bidi cursor, there is a name for it… see attached image (below) which is not exactly how the bar looks but close.
  2. Windows losing settings: My issue is usually with the main HD window or one level lower. BUT it has occurred with much deeper layers… I'm testing this DS_Store file removal and will report back.
  3. Feedback filed on no-logo on webloc icons; and Bug Report soon.


Thanks again, more soon.


Steve


User uploaded file

Mar 18, 2013 11:59 AM in response to Stephen Schulte1

Please read this whole message before doing anything.


This procedure is a test, not a solution. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.


Step 1


The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account.


Enable guest logins* and log in as Guest. For instructions, launch the System Preferences application, select Help from the menu bar, and enter “Set up guest users” (without the quotes) in the search box. Don't use the Safari-only “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac.”


While logged in as Guest, you won’t have access to any of your personal files or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this; it’s normal. If you need any passwords or other personal data in order to complete the test, memorize, print, or write them down before you begin.


Test while logged in as Guest. Same problem?


After testing, log out of the guest account and, in your own account, disable it if you wish. Any files you created in the guest account will be deleted automatically when you log out of it.


*Note: If you’ve activated “Find My Mac” or FileVault, then you can’t enable the Guest account. The “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac” is not the same. Create a new account in which to test, and delete it, including its home folder, after testing.


Step 2


The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login.


Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode* and log in to the account with the problem. The instructions provided by Apple are as follows:


  • Shut down your computer, wait 30 seconds, and then hold down the shift key while pressing the power button.
  • When you see the gray Apple logo, release the shift key.
  • If you are prompted to log in, type your password, and then hold down the shift key again as you click Log in.


Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including wireless networking on certain Macs. The next normal boot may also be somewhat slow.


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.


*Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t boot in safe mode.


Test while in safe mode. Same problem?


After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of steps 1 and 2.

Mar 18, 2013 3:19 PM in response to Stephen Schulte1

When I follow your steps, the insertion point stops blinking, but the cursor is still visible. I also noticed that the insertion point is still active at the original location. The only way to bring back the insertion point is to click on another Mail window. Clicking in the addressing fields, and then back doesn't bring back the insertion point in the message pane, even though it functions correctly in the address fields.


I tried various other Text-based programs and all worked correctly.

Mail's text editing has always been flaky. I guess this is just another example.


I think the reason we couldn't figure out what you were describing is it wasn't that the Cursor that was invisible, it was the insertion point was invisible.


That cursor is called the I-Beam cursor.

Mar 19, 2013 7:32 AM in response to Stephen Schulte1

Stephen Schulte1 wrote:


A new problem: Never had this issue until 10.8.3: The icons of .webloc which one drags to the Desktop from Safari or otherwise store in folders no longer have an icon picture - they are just a plain white icon with a tab fold-down upper right. Sometimes they appear as before, mostly not.


Just updated to 10.8.3.


.webloc icons have the same aspect as before the update. Also dragging new Safari web link to the Desktop or any other folder. No changes.


User uploaded file

Mar 19, 2013 7:55 AM in response to Alberto Ravasio

THANKS FOR YOUR COMMENT! Since you were not having this issue I wanted to see why I was… Well I did a "Get Info" on an xxyyxx.webloc file and it was set to open (default) with the program iOS simulator.app


I found that program here:


/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/iPhoneSimulator.platform/De veloper/Applications/iOS Simulator.app


I changed the default program to open this to Safari.app (and specified for all files like this) and voilà I now get the default icon with the Safari logo on the front as you indicated.


Thanks very much for your reply!!


Best regards,



Steve Schulte

Tuesday 19 March 2013

Mar 19, 2013 8:01 AM in response to Stephen Schulte1

Just an update for all who are following this post:


  • Hide others (hide all other open applications) still means that when returning to an eMail in Apple Mail or a note in Apple's Notes program, the cursor is gone, disappeared, and the highlighting is strange too – a weird brown/grey and not the default highlight color. THIS PROBLEM STILL EXISTS - NO SOLUTION YET.
  • The Finder windows don't retain settings in icon view: Icon size, background color or picture, sorting (reverts to none) and icon /item view all change back to "32x32, white, none and no item preview or icon view checked" Again, please let me know if you see this-- you need to put some pictures as window backgrounds, color them, view in Icon view- set the icon size for something other than 32x32…THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO THE .DS_STORE FILEs that are in each folder and removing them (make all folders visible first with a program like TinkerTool) seems to really help-- but I'm still testing this.
  • A new problem: Never had this issue until 10.8.3: The icons of .webloc which one drags to the Desktop from Safari or otherwise store in folders no longer have an icon picture - they are just a plain white icon with a tab fold-down upper right. Sometimes they appear as before, mostly not. THIS ISSUE IS BASICALLY NOW SOLVED: FOR SOME REASON AFTER THE 10.8.3 UPDATE, SOME OF US HAD THE DEFAULT PROGRAM TO OPEN .WEBLOC FILES GET CHANGED TO "iOS Simulator.app" (also called iOS Phone.app) and so you have to choose one blank icon and change the default program to Safai and then say to do this for ALL similar files and voilà the Safari compass icon is back.


Best regards,



Steve Schulte

Tuesday 19 March 2013

Mar 19, 2013 8:40 AM in response to Stephen Schulte1

I followed your steps to reproduce, but I can't reproduce the Hide Others problem. Works fine for me.


The .webloc thing I'm guessing occurs for people who have installed the developer tools, maybe the installer changes the association for that file type. I saw the problem too. Maybe a wider survey would determine whether the problem only happens to people who have developer tools installed. I don't think you would have "iOS Simulator.app" on your computer unless you have developer tools installed.

10.8.3 has not solved 2 key issues

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