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Mike Retondo Author

Level 1

28 points

10.9.3 = major problem with fast user switching

I've found a major problem with the 10.9.3 update with my 27" iMac, you probably won't see it if your on a laptop. I did all the updates in past few days i.e., 10.9.3 combo update, iTunes 11.2.1.

Afterward I noticed a bug when Fast User Switching i.e. FUS. I have 5 accounts but the bug can be replicated with only 2.

I login to userA have some windows open but you can just open a Finder window. Now make the window at least half the with of the screen and move it to the right side of the screen. Then login in to userB and setup the windows the same way as userA. Now FUS to userA and then back to userB. You will notice that the Finder window has been moved to the upper left corner of the screen. This problem happened's to all user accounts you login to except the first account you logged into.

Since I didn't know what update caused the problem I had to use Time Machine to revert to my last version of 10.9.2. I then double checked the for the bug and sure enough everything was working fine. I now was going to install one update at a time and to see which one was causing the bug. So I installed 10.9.3 first and found the bug immediately.

I now know what's happening. When the switch occurs the screen is resized to about the equivalent of a 13" MBP. At this point the windows that fall some ware outside that size get moved to the upper left corner and resized. Then the screen resizes to normal but it's too late, all the window have moved and been resized to fit the 13" screen size.

You can reproduce this effect by going to System Preferences and selecting Display and then select the Scaled radio button. No select the smallest size, say, 1280 x 720. Now select the Best for display radio button again. You will now see all the windows you have open that were too big no moved and resized to the upper left corner. I know why the Mac moves the windows, it's so you don't have any windows stuck off screen.

Now when I say 13" it could be some other size but it's about that size give or take.

iMac (27-inch, Late 2012), OS X Mountain Lion, 1TB Fusion Drive

Posted on May 25, 2014 12:10 PM

55 replies

DY-E

Level 1

20 points

Jun 15, 2014 7:44 AM in response to Mike Retondo

Hi there.

I've got the same problem as well. I found 'killing' the Dock temporarily resolves it, and fixes the dock, screen resolution etc. See my post here:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6367153

Hope that gives some (temporarily) relief unitl a full fix comes out...

Enjoy.

Jun 19, 2014 2:41 PM in response to Mike Retondo

Just adding my name to the list on the FUS resolution change/window resizing. Currently have to opt+cmd+H+W before switching to be sure window dimensions aren't messed up when I switch back.

Jun 30, 2014 6:46 PM in response to Mike Retondo

I am also having this issue. It started after the 10.9.3 update. I just installed the 10.9.4 update that was released earlier today in hopes that it would be fixed, but unfortunately it was not. I used the Delta update that was made available via Software Update because Apple has not yet made a Combo updater available on their downloads page.

Jun 30, 2014 11:55 PM in response to Mike Retondo

Updated to 10.9.4 last night and it still has not been fixed. If they know it's a bug why haven't they fixed it? Not pleased.

Jul 1, 2014 3:22 AM in response to Mike Retondo

Updated to 10.9.4. ... not fixed.

What is the point of us all reporting MAJOR bugs if they don't fix them? Come on Apple, this cannot be so difficult and meantime you are creating a bad feeling for your customers. Steve ("Spinning") Jobs would not be a happy bunny if he were here now ...

a brody

Level 10

84,049 points

Jul 1, 2014 4:03 AM in response to ShanePalmer

Before applying any update, backup your data:

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-1992

10.9.4 combo update is available at:

OS X Mavericks 10.9.4 Update (Combo)

It is unknown if it is any better than the delta update. The one good thing about the combo update is that it typically adds components that are missing or damaged from previous updates if all that was updated using the delta updates.

I would recommend after applying such an update to repair permissions with Disk Utility.

Lastly, if you have come to this thread and not found a solution, please start your own thread. Most people who can help typically will not delve deep into threads to reply to everyone individually.

I won't have a chance to update to 10.9.3 or later for some time.

a brody

Level 10

84,049 points

Jul 1, 2014 4:08 AM in response to boblishman

Boblishman, have you actually been reporting it to http://bugreporter.apple.com/ after signing for a free online http://developer.apple.com/ account? Otherwise it may not get heard for a long time. This is just a user to user forum. Putting it in Apple feedback at http://www.apple.com/feedback/ will get heard, although it may not get to the right teams for much longer.

DY-E

Level 1

20 points

Jul 1, 2014 6:34 AM in response to boblishman

Hi Boblishman and other folks.

The 10.9.4 updated provided no relief for us either. However, making an Automator workflow does work well for us, and we've deployed it on several machines.

The steps are:

Open Automator
Create a new workflow
(If you want to be fancy, add a "Pause" for 2 seconds)
Add a 'Run Shell Script', with the command: killall Dock
(make sure you have a Capital D in Dock)
Save the workflow (for later reference), e.g. "Kill-dock-after-2-seconds.workflow"
Save a copy of the workflow as an Application, and pop it somewhere handy (e.g. Applications folder)
Set your newly created Automator application as a login item (under each user account, in System Preferences)
Logout or switch users, and log back in again.

Sure, the underlying issue is not fixed by Apple. But until more people report it, and until it's fixed, it's a stable work-around, and it requires no further intervention, and our desktops and docks are back to normal within seconds of logging in.

Has anybody else tried this solution for themselves too?

Hope that helps,

Jul 1, 2014 2:45 PM in response to DY-E

Very useful DY-E for a temporary solution. Thanks

Jul 2, 2014 12:12 AM in response to a brody

a brody : errr, why was my reply to your post deleted? Shall I post it again?

Jul 2, 2014 1:12 AM in response to boblishman

With all the developers around why haven't any of them picked this up and informed Apple.

Perhaps our best chance of Apple taking any notice is when the public beta of Yosemite starts. (if it still persists)!

a brody

Level 10

84,049 points

Jul 2, 2014 5:31 AM in response to DY-E

DY-E, you may want to have this solution posted as a user tip. Please let us know if that is desired.

a brody

Level 10

84,049 points

Jul 2, 2014 5:32 AM in response to bobcrossley

You can't depend on developers to pick up everything. Plus your condition may be unique based on your software installed.

Only by sending in a complete System Profiler report to Apple in a bug report from a person having the problem can Apple isolate the issue.

a brody

Level 10

84,049 points

Jul 2, 2014 5:55 AM in response to boblishman

I can't comment on why the moderators would choose to delete something, as I'm just an end user myself. Although sometimes posts may appear deleted after you log out simply because more than one server accesses the Support Community database, and it may take time for the databases to get in sync. If you posted something that was in any manner non-constructive, the moderators may choose to remove it, because one of the experienced posters decides to notify to the moderator to have it removed. I thus far have not seen anything untoward.

Jul 2, 2014 6:29 AM in response to a brody

Ooh, I get it now... "in any manner non-constructive" is Apple-speak for "pointing out Apple's responsibilities under consumer law".

So, I'll try again, without being "in any manner non-constructive":

Yes, I have reported it to Apple feedback. I did that within days of the 10.9.3 update being released. More or less a month ago.

No, I haven't opened a Developer account because, well, I'm not a developer, I'm a consumer.

Surely, the point of "feedback" is that someone, somewhere, reads it and acts on it (the clue is in the name, after all).

(Unless of course, "feedback" is just purely for PR purposes, but then Apple would never do that, would they).

Maybe I should take a screenshot of this post, in case it, too, "disappears" and I could then show it to someone who would take some action.

10.9.3 = major problem with fast user switching