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Messages - Facebook ID numbers instead of Names

Messages Facebook names are alternating between ID Numbers and Full Names. I think this started happening after Airport Utility Update 6.3.1

but not absolutely sure.


It will cycle several times between the correct full name and the Facebook ID number from the Facebook Email address (eg. ****@chat.facebook.com) while the contact is signed in. Once the contact signs out the greyed out name will stay as it was when the contact signed out... ie as the correct name or the number...


Also the contact's picture disappears when the number is shown and reappears when the full name appears.


Anyone else seen this problem?


<Personal Information Edited By Host>

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Jul 24, 2013 1:39 PM

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130 replies

Jul 24, 2013 2:58 PM in response to stevefromorpington

Please try each of the following steps.

Step 1

From the Messages menu bar, select

View ▹ Buddy Names ▹ Show Full Names (or Show Short Names)

Step 2

From the menu bar, select

 ▹ System Preferences... ▹ Language & TextRegion


From the Region menu in the preference pane, select one of the preset regions. If one is already selected, choose a different one, then change it back. Close the preference pane and test.

If you still have the problem after taking those steps, post your results.

Jul 24, 2013 5:55 PM in response to stevefromorpington

Yep I'm seeing it too. I just set it up a few minutes ago, when I sign in, all is good (real names). After I send a message (or maybe after I receive one) they all go to numbers. Don't have any more details yet, other than you aren't the only one.


Tried Linc Davis's suggestions, nothing different happened.


Edit: Ok it did switch back, briefly to real names with pictures, then about 15 seconds later it changed back to numbers.

Jul 25, 2013 1:15 AM in response to stevefromorpington

Has anyone got this problem and has not applied the Airport Utility 6.3.1 update? Or is anyone getting this and only using ethernet instead of WiFi? Just trying to determine if this is a possible start point for the problem. It is almost as if the WiFi is partially dropping out in some way. I think 6.3.1 was trying to fix the Wifi Dropout problem in this thread....

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4141882?start=225&tstart=0


Sorry, just grabbing at straws at the moment....

Jul 25, 2013 4:06 AM in response to stevefromorpington

I too am getting this since yesterday, though don't see a direct corrolation between the issue and Airport update, as I updated that on Monday and it was all fine that day and Tuesdays.


It's very frustating, and as other have said it bounces back to normal for a few seconds now and then and then goes back to the ID's. If you disconnect and reconnect the account it starts fine again, but soon enough will go back to the bare ID's.


Hope this gets fixed as otherwise the whole app is pretty useless (Facebook wise at least!).


Matt

Jul 25, 2013 5:29 AM in response to stevefromorpington

I'm not 100% sure, but I don't believe I've installed the AirPort 6.3.1 update on my Mac at home, I can verify after work, but I'm pretty sure I haven't. It's also still on 10.8.2. This issue is happening on both of my Macs and has been happening, I believe, since Monday, July 22.

Another thread has been posted that I'll link to in case it gives any additional details (one user says this is also happening in Adium, pointing to Facebook as the culprit).

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5190553?answerId=22564494022#22564494022

Jul 25, 2013 7:44 AM in response to stevefromorpington

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. 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, by a peripheral device, or by corruption of certain system caches.


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. Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.


Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain iMacs. 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.


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.

Jul 25, 2013 8:19 AM in response to Linc Davis

Linc, thanks for taking the time to write that all out, step-by-step. Using my MacBook Air, 10.8.3, I ran through these steps exactly as described above. Both my Guest Account and Safe Boot had identical results, both had the issue. Also, after rebooting again and logging in as myself, the issue still remained (as expected).

Let me know if there are any other tests you would like me to run.

Jul 25, 2013 9:27 AM in response to stevefromorpington

I've been experiencing the same issue myself. Seems to have started recently. I do have Airport 6.3.1 installed but I'd be surprised if it was related. It seems to work fine for a while, but when someone on my Facebook Friends list either logs in or logs out it seems to switch from displaying names and pics properly to displaying the Facebook ID # with no pic. Definitely pretty annoying.

Messages - Facebook ID numbers instead of Names

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