QuickTime 7.0.2 (#2): Finder suddenly quitting and re-launching

Finder suddenly quitting an re-launching A number of users report an issue where the Mac OS X Finder unexpectedly quits in a repeated fashion, causing a series of re-launches after QuickTime 7.0.2 is installed.

MacFixIt reader Doug Mitts writes:

"QuickTime 7.0.2 is the cause of the Finder continually re-launching in OS X 10.4.2. I've cleaned caches, repaired permissions, rebuild my disk directory, trashed the .finder.plist (not in that order though), and nothing works. About every two minutes the finder will relaunch."

Dave Wentroble adds:

"I installed QuickTime 7.0.2 and my Finder keeps cycling on and off. About every 2 minutes or so, my desktop icons disappear, the finder crashes and momentarily returns. It is an annoyance (it just happened as I was typing 'annoyance') for if I am typing and not paying attention to the screen, my typing goes into the ether."

Reverting to an older version of QuickTime If you are experiencing serious issues with QuickTime 7.0.2 and wish to revert (downgrade) to QuickTime 7.0.1 or another older release, the most comprehensive and safest way to do it is to follow the instructions contained in our tutorial "Reverting to an earlier version of Mac OS X".

After you've performed the steps outlined in that article (using the "Archive and Install" option to place an older version of Mac OS X on your system), update to the latest version of Mac OS X but refrain from installing QuickTime 7.0.2 from Software Update.

Unexpected quits can be caused by conflict with DiVX codecs If you are experiencing unexpected quits from the QuickTime Player application itself, you may be experiencing a conflict between DiVX components installed by other applications.

These components are located in the /Library/QuickTime folder, and can carry the following names, among others:

Divx 6 Decoder.component Divx Fusion Decoder.component

Moving these files out of the QuickTime folder and onto the desktop, then logging out then back in will usually resolve this issue.

Pro features incorrectly disabled A handful of users report that their QuickTime Pro features were disabled by the latest update.

MacFixIt reader Robin Collins writes:

"The pro features were disabled when the new update was installed, even though I had purchased the 7.0x key in June -- so the disabling may not just occur with earlier versions of QuickTime. I have asked Apple to clarify -- certainly it is not sensible to have to pay another fee to upgrade from 7.01 to 7.02."

Apple notes that installation of QuickTime 7 will disable the QuickTime Pro functionality in prior versions of QuickTime (versions 6, 5, etc.). However, we have several reports from readers who have valid QuickTime 7 Pro keys that are seemingly being disabled by this latest update.

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

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