HELP - Finder and desktop refreshing every 5 seconds

[MDoss]

I'm using 10.9.5 - and with no obvious changes to major software (updated Firefox and DivX player in last couple of days) can't do more than open Finder before the window disappears.

Browser windows not disappearing, nor system preferences, but Finder window just disappears every 5 seconds so can't do more than go to applications and it quits. Message popping up occasionally that window closed unexpectedly - I hit don't reopen - but then it just comes back with the same message.

Trying to watch a DVD - it opens but the window disappears (still there but only stays for 5 secs then back to the desktop image (even if DVD playing in background).

Have tried force quitting finder, looked through the activity and force quitting those - nothing of use in any other threads (not using Google drive or stuffit)

Shutting down or restarting doesn't help

Is anyone else having this problem - it's obviously some sort of loop - anyone got a solution?

 

[hallux]

Do you have Google Drive installed/running? If so, go into the settings and uncheck the "Show file sync status icons and right-click menu" on the Advanced tab.

 

[sharon22]

You'll have to fire up your 'detective' software:
1.) Console
2.) Activity Monitor.

Put Activity Monitor on the left side of your screen.
Put Console on the right side of your screen.

Watch them both. One, or the other, or both will tell you what is happening.

In Activity monitor, look for the names of the processes running. Click around, snoop around, the answer to your question is most definitely there.