Finder thinks it isn't running at login (But it is)

[JeffCGD]

I ran the Quicktime 6.3 update a few days ago, and all appeared to go flawlessly, as Apple updates generally do for me.
However, I later noticed, on logging into either my admin account or my user account, that the Finder doesn't have the 'running application' black triangle under it, and right clicking on it pops up a menu saying 'Finder Not Running'. The thing is, the Finder IS running, and operates completely normally other than this feedback (See attached screenshot, with docked Finder window and Finder About panel). I can force quit the Finder, or (more accurately), kill the Dock via Terminal and it then reports correctly when the Dock relaunches.
This led me to think that it is a dock icon update issue, so I trashed my dock plist file, and logged out, then logged back in. I got the default dock icon collection/size etc (as expected), plus the apps instructed to launch in the login items prefs. The Finder also reported it was running at login. So I put my dock back the way usually is (size/minimizing option/ etc), and tried logging out and back in. Problem was back again.
It seems like the dock isn't getting updated about what the Finder is up to on login, or afterwards until I reboot the dock, yet the Finder is indeed running.
Does anyone have any suggestion before I ask Applecare and have them stare blankly at me?

[hulkaros]

Have you installed any apps that hack the default OS X.2 Dock? Cause if you did try to disable them or even better remove them...

Did you try to install/reinstall 10.2.6 Combo Update from Apple?

Let us know what gives!

Until then keep it

[DeltaMac]

I agree with hulkaros, and looking at your graphic, something you are using modifies and runs in the dock, perhaps all you need to do is remove that one item or disable the dock change. (Apple won't help you very much with a 3rd party software problem) You did say that Finder icon was OK until you set-up your dock again, OR, if you prefer what you have now, just live with the finder-dock anamoly, does it affect anything except the dock appearance?

[JeffCGD]

The only modification I have done to my dock is using Tinkertool, which controls options built into OSX by Apple, so there are no third party modifications at all to my dock.

I only ever upgrade with the combo updates (because I know the incremental updates can be problematic), and I have been running 10.2.6 for quite some time before this issue occurred.

The only things in the dock are applications, none of which modify anything, and all are ones I have been using for many months to a few years on OSX (Snard Menu - A menuing app - with custom Apple Icon) and Cypher (a GUI that reports on various UNIX things usually running behind the scenes).

NOTE: This happened as a DIRECT RESULT of running the Quicktime 6.3 update. No other changes have been made during or since.

[hulkaros]

Originally posted by JeffCGD
The only modification I have done to my dock is using Tinkertool, which controls options built into OSX by Apple, so there are no third party modifications at all to my dock.

I only ever upgrade with the combo updates (because I know the incremental updates can be problematic), and I have been running 10.2.6 for quite some time before this issue occurred.

The only things in the dock are applications, none of which modify anything, and all are ones I have been using for many months to a few years on OSX (Snard Menu - A menuing app - with custom Apple Icon) and Cypher (a GUI that reports on various UNIX things usually running behind the scenes).

NOTE: This happened as a DIRECT RESULT of running the Quicktime 6.3 update. No other changes have been made during or since.

...did you try to RE-Install Mac OS X 10.2.6 Combo Update? AFTER QT6.3?

Let us know!

[JeffCGD]

Why would you RE-Install an OS update after Quicktime 6.3? I don't follow your logic there?