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mh0ffmann · Sep 11, 2003, 07:16 PM

For some inexplicable reason, sometime today I lost the ability to drag any items from one place to the next. Examples:

- Finder icons into other folders
- Mail.app messages to other folders
- Mail.app attachments to the desktop
- iTunes or iPhoto songs/pictures to the desktop and/or playlists within the programs
- Safari graphics from webpages to desktop

All of these functions were working PERFECTLY just this morning. Rebooting (and shutting down) did not help.

It's as if the "drag" function had been completely disabled in the system. Clicking on an icon/item will select it, but dragging it will cause absolutely nothing (no "ghost" icon following the cursor, etc.)

All other functions (double-click, right-click, and keyboard actions) work fine.

Please help, this is a MAJOR problem!

Could it be some virus? This was a common symptom on recent Windows virus outbreaks (which I know could not affect a Mac).

Mark

OptimusG4 · Sep 11, 2003, 07:21 PM

Reboot.

Hold down Apple-S. Wait for black text. At the prompt (#) type 'fsck -y', without the quotes, and hit return. If there are any error and this say they've been repaired, repeat the same steps until it says disk is ok. At that time, type 'reboot' and hit return. This might help.

ambush · Sep 11, 2003, 07:26 PM

the drag server has crashed. reboot and it should be fixed.

qnxde · Sep 11, 2003, 07:27 PM

Yeah, it's a virus

Try repairing permissions.

Brass · Sep 11, 2003, 07:58 PM

Are you able to create a new user? If so, try logging in as the new user, and see if they have the same problems.

If not, then it's some preferences file in your ~/Library folder that's gone wrong.

MindFad · Sep 11, 2003, 08:07 PM

WindowServer probably on the fritz. Logging out or rebooting might help. Well, is it any better?

mh0ffmann · Sep 11, 2003, 08:32 PM

Thanks for all your feedback.

I tried ALL the suggestions above to no avail.

- 'fsck -y' yielded an "OK"
- new users have the same problem
- rebooting, shutting down, etc. do nothing

This is REALLY weird. Can one reinstall OS X?

Mark

Brass · Sep 11, 2003, 08:40 PM

Originally posted by mh0ffmann:
Thanks for all your feedback.

I tried ALL the suggestions above to no avail.

- 'fsck -y' yielded an "OK"
- new users have the same problem
- rebooting, shutting down, etc. do nothing

This is REALLY weird. Can one reinstall OS X?

Mark

Are you using ANY third-party hardware or software? Do you have a spare mouse you could try out?

It could also be some preference setting in your /Library folder. It's a bit more drastic, but you could try renaming that folder and then restarting. You can always rename it back and restart again to restore your global preferences, etc. Some other things could break with this though.

KidRed · Sep 11, 2003, 08:49 PM

Also check your permissions.

SupahCoolX · Sep 11, 2003, 08:50 PM

Just for the record: There are no viruses for Mac OS X at this time.

OwlBoy · Sep 11, 2003, 09:13 PM

yeah, repair premissions and restart.

That fixes it for me when that happens (happened like twice to me)

-Owl

ambush · Sep 11, 2003, 09:21 PM

I've seen a lot of ppl with that problem.. it's fixable..

maybe macfixit.com?

ASIMO · Sep 11, 2003, 09:28 PM

Try new mouse?

mh0ffmann · Sep 11, 2003, 09:30 PM

I've localized the problem to the /Library folder (i.e. the one at the root level, not the user-specific one).

Now I need to start taking out folder by folder within /Library and rebooting to see which subfolder contains the problem.

Any pointers to aid in narrowing down the options?

Thanks.

Mark

suthercd · Sep 11, 2003, 10:20 PM

Application Support has only two items in a new install-an Adobe folder and Stuffit Engine.cfm. Make a new folder in /Library named Applications Support(Dis) and move other items to that. You may need to use the Terminal and sudo to do this. If that is something that is familiar, great, if not check back.

Any PreferencePanes items s/b moved to a new folder named PrefPane(Dis).

All StartupItems, do the same transfer to a new folder.

The new folder names aren't critical, just so you have a plan that you can use to add things back after the problem is found.

Look in ~/Library (Home) and see if there is an InputManagers folder- you should remove everything there also.

Give these a try. I don't think this is a problem with caches, you've repaired permissions, checked the disc integrity, hmmm.

You can re-install OS X and keep your current apps & docs by doing an archive/install. It's an option when you boot off the install disc. Take your time to be sure you select that.

A couple more things to try that are non-intrusive- restart with the shift key down. This boots you into Safe mode. Do the same after entering your password in the login screen- shift key down, this by-passes 3rd party additions.

Craig

- - e r i k - - · Sep 12, 2003, 05:27 AM

You do not by any chance have any Norton products installed do you?

Have you repaired permissions? Application -> Utilities -> Disk Utility and Repair Permissions...

Evinyatar · Sep 12, 2003, 05:53 AM

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/16804

Diggory Laycock · Sep 12, 2003, 06:33 AM

Originally posted by Evinyatar:
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/16804

What an excellent idea - My CoreServicesD spazzed out a few weeks ago and This app automates what I had to do by hand.

SMacTech · Sep 12, 2003, 07:55 AM

Originally posted by Brass:
Are you able to create a new user? If so, try logging in as the new user, and see if they have the same problems.

If not, then it's some preferences file in your ~/Library folder that's gone wrong.

Do what Brass said and I bet your problems go away which points to the preferences being the problem.

The first rule of troubleshooting OS X for me is try another user before looking elsewhere.

Diggory Laycock · Sep 12, 2003, 09:27 AM

I certainly sounds like CoreServicesD

http://www.macosxhints.com/article.p...30531184641335

alien · Sep 12, 2003, 10:52 AM

I've experienced this a few times. Running Cocktail to remove cache files, then reboot, does the trick every time.

It seems like Dragster will also remove cache files.

mh0ffmann · Sep 12, 2003, 11:34 AM

P R O B L E M S O L V E D ! ! !

Thank you all for your input.

Dragster, a nifty utility I knew nothing of until mentioned in this thread, fixed the problem in no time at all.

Thanks again.

Mark

[APi]TheMan · Sep 12, 2003, 11:47 AM

I could have sworn we narrowed this down to being caused by pbs (pasteboard server) crashing, but who knows. If your Services menu disappears along with your dragging and dropping being shot that means the pbs is at fault, if I recall correctly.

Robo-X · Sep 12, 2003, 12:05 PM

Download Cache Out X and let it delete the system cache files. This should restore the drag and drop ability again.

//Rob

EnVoy · Sep 12, 2003, 04:47 PM

Do you guys think Dragster or Cache Out could solve my printing problem? I haven't been able to print from any OSX apps in a month or two. Yes, I've tried fsck, permissions, deleting/re-adding the printer, the printer is plugged in, deleting prefs, etc....

It prints fine from Classic....