[synesis]

Hi Macsters,

I've just noticed that my Powerbook G4 desktop has started to
literally go on the blink:

1. Open folders suddenly close by themselves
2. The desktop folder/file icons blink on/off at the same time
(for a second, with 40-60 second gaps between blinks).
3. The menu bar at the top doesn't blink though.

I downloaded a new version of Quicktime earlier today, that's
the only new thing I've done prior to the problem. It's been virus scanned.
I've rebooted and restarted several times with no luck.
Getting worried now.
Does anyone have any idea what might be happening?

[flemir]

Hello - Were you ever able to resolve this problem? My desktop icons are constantly blinking as of yesterday and I've run all the diagnostic tools I can think of. It only does it under my login - other logins are fine. Any suggestions?

[Ley1987]

Hello synesis and flemir!

Have you figured out what's happening yet?

Yesterday the 23rd, my G5s icons started to flash too!

I'm running OS 10.4.11 on an iMac, 2 GHz PC G5, with 2 Ghz RAM.
As was mentioned by synesis, folders close and icons flash.
As I'm typing this, I need to re-click on this window to keep it active.
The browser (Camino 1.6.6), TextEdit and Adobe CS2 applications seem stable. A little jerky when icons flash, on or off, but stay available.

Possibly unrelated (but too close for comfort)
2 days previously, a mac mini on my network (thru TimeCapsule) crashed when using iTunes. Opened Disk Utilities via the install CD and it couldn't find the Mini's HD! The mini is now 'at the shop' and I've been told it's hard drive is toast!
The next day my daughter came to my G5 and couldn't find iTunes!.
It had disappeared. All I can find are the .dmgs, needless to say I'm hesitant to reinstall iTunes.

Time to upgrade to Leopard?
Any help would be appreciated.

[unprofound]

Yep, I've got the flashing icons on the desktop. All open folders close. Everything seems to reset. Pulls me out of active program and into the finder. It happens every minute or so.

I've got a Powerbook, 1 GHz, running 10.4.11.

It started last night, after I installed a security update AND a Quicktime update. Quicktime sounds suspicious.

I don't have any solutions, but maybe we're getting closer to finding the problem?

First post on 1/5?

So, this is fun...

[unprofound]

OK, here's a solution that worked for me, from JoeJoeBee on the Apple Support site. Link at bottom of the message:

"It seems all to be linked to Stuffit and a preference called Stuffit AVR (Archive Via Rename): In your system preferences go to the bottom and click on the Stuffit AVR option. Click the Stuffit AVR tab on the left, and click the "STOP" button. This should do the trick. For some reason this is cycling through our desktop/finder and causing so much of the frustration since this update."

http://discussions.apple.com/thread....73700&tstart=0

[Ley1987]

Thank you unprofound,

The solution you presented worked for me.

[murphy09]

Many thanks unprofound. I have the G4 17" flat screen and me thinks my probs started when I installed the Quicktime update. Reading other comments I've had the same prob as other good folk. I carried out what you suggested and my 'icons' appear stable as before.

They haven't flickered or anything and appear to be stable. Great advice!!

[synesis]

In the end, I reloaded Tiger and that thankfully, did the trick.
I also un and then reinstalled Quicktime.

So thanks for all the tips guys, best to all for the Year of the Ox.

Time to get Bullish again folks!

Synesis

[crudeoil]

Thanks Unprofound! This has been driving my crazy for a week.

[Yako579]

I too was having trouble with flashing icons and having trouble tying in emails, with boxes closing on my IMac G5. This fix seemed to have worked. Still having trouble making pdfs and jpgs. Anyone having the same problem?