[macman009]

Hello all:

I run Mac OS X 10.4.11 on a Power PC G5 tower, and Finder constantly (every 3 minutes or so) selects itself as the program in use, no matter what I'm doing. For example, as I type this thread using a web browser, I will be switched to Finder without my prompting. I just did a software update yesterday; I was not having this problem prior to updating. Any suggestions (I'm new here, so please forgive me if this issue has been addressed elsewhere)? Thanks

[jmiddel]

What SW update? If you updated the OS using the update function, go the Apple support site and download the combo updater and apply it. You'll have to do a search for it, since Leopard is now on the front page. If not the OS, what did you update?

[JKT]

If you hold down the shift key as you log into your account (though after entering your password, obviously), does it still happen. This logs you into your account and disables all third party apps, fonts and extensions to the Finder (such as contextual menu items) and clears all caches.

If it stops when you do this, then it is probably being caused by an extension to the Finder or perhaps a corrupt font or cache. If it is an extension, try moving the items out of the ~/Library/Contextual Menu Items folder and/or ~/Library/InputManagers folders and adding them back one at a time (you will need to log out and back in again for each one to activate them). If you have Stuffit Expander installed at all, this would be the first thing to remove.

[Cold Warrior]

another tip is to open Activity Monitor, set it to All Processes, and sort descending by CPU. When it switches to Finder again, see if you can spot a process that has suddenly rocketed to the top. Sometimes this can help identify the specific process (assuming CPU is an indicator in your case).

[Aucke]

Hi all,

I have the same issue, and would like to note that (not surprisingly) the Activity Monitor shows FINDER rocketing to the top when the issue occurs.

Any luck on resolving the issue yet? Not me...

[TETENAL]

Did you try to remove StuffIt Expander from (~)/Library/Contextual Menu Items as suggested?

[Aucke]

Actions undertaken:

1. Removing Contextual Menu Items (InputManagers folders do not exist in the Library or elsewhere) - it contained only the Stuffit file
2. Removing Stuffit Expander
3. Installing the Combo Update for Tiger (the 10.4.11)

Problem persists

[JKT]

Does it persist if you hold down shift (and keep it held down) as you (a) login or (b) when you start up your Mac?

[Aucke]

This seems to have done the trick:

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

Although I removed Stuffit, the AVR was still available in the system preferences. Clicking "STOP" seems to have resolved the issue, since I am typing this uninterrupted by the Finder...