[Toyin]

I use option + apple + spacebar to access my spotlight search bar. After a while it stops working. When I press the key-combo I get the alert noise and no searchbar. I can still access spotlight with the mouse. I've tried changing the key-combinations but once it stops working, no key-combo will access spotlight. I've tried relaunching the finder and the dock to no avail. The only thing that fixes this is a log out or restart.

I also use Quicksilver and Synergy neither of which share spotlight's key-combo.

Any insights or known conflicts?

10.4.2 15" 1.5ghz Powerbook

[Barry]

check in System Prefs, keyboard and mouse pane, keyboard shortcuts tab. scroll down the list. if there are any conflicts there will be an alert icon next to the problem shortcut.

Also be sure that the shortcut you use (opt apple spacebar) is checked in the list.

My laptop seems to forget these specific shortcuts periodically.

[Toyin]

Originally Posted by Barry

check in System Prefs, keyboard and mouse pane, keyboard shortcuts tab. scroll down the list. if there are any conflicts there will be an alert icon next to the problem shortcut.

Also be sure that the shortcut you use (opt apple spacebar) is checked in the list.

My laptop seems to forget these specific shortcuts periodically.

Thanks Barry, but I've checked that as well. The correct key combo is displayed and there is no alert icon next to it. I've also done the standard things like permission repair and fsck.

[msuper69]

Originally Posted by Toyin

I use option + apple + spacebar to access my spotlight search bar. After a while it stops working. When I press the key-combo I get the alert noise and no searchbar. I can still access spotlight with the mouse. I've tried changing the key-combinations but once it stops working, no key-combo will access spotlight. I've tried relaunching the finder and the dock to no avail. The only thing that fixes this is a log out or restart.

I also use Quicksilver and Synergy neither of which share spotlight's key-combo.

Any insights or known conflicts?

10.4.2 15" 1.5ghz Powerbook

I don't see where you've tried trashing the Spotlight preferences at ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.spotlight.plist ?

[Barry]

manually remove directory /.Spotlight-V100 and run Disk Utility's Repair Permissions a few times, then reboot.

you might have a corrupted file withing the .Spotlight-V100 directory.

also check for corrupt fonts

if this doesn't work,download and run the 10.4.2 combo updater here

[Toyin]

Originally Posted by msuper69

I don't see where you've tried trashing the Spotlight preferences at ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.spotlight.plist ?

Sorry, I did that and also cleared the caches. I've removed the spotlight file and the computer is currently rescanning my hard drive.

However your post made me realize I haven't trashed the keyboard preferences which is where the culprit is more likely to be. It will take at least a few days for me to see the behavior returns. Thanks to both of you, I'll let you know if anything works.

[Toyin]

Well it's been almost a week of uptime and I still have a spotlight access with key commands. Thanks for the suggestions.

[Randman]

You can also add a folder (or folders) to the Privacy tab, then remove them after 10 minutes or so (more for larger folders), then Spotlight will reindex them.