Probably a stupid question, but I am having trouble with the bar at the very top of my screen.

[cbayer]

You know, the one that has file, edit, airport icon, time/date, etc.

Every once in a while, I do something that makes it go black. I can get the icons on the right hand side by putting the pointer over them, but the ones on the left completely disappear.

Then, magically, I do something that makes it all come back.

Anyone have the answer?

[struggle4progress]

1. Dunno. But are you using Tiger, Leopard, or Snow Leopard? And have you installed

any 3rd party software that might affect the menubar?

[cbayer]

2. This is embarrassing, but I don't even know what version I am using.

This has been happening very intermittently since I first got the computer, so I don't think it's anything I downloaded.

I am thinking that there is a key or combination of keys I am pushing that tell it to go dark. But I'll be darned if I can figure out what that is or what I do to correct it. It usually only last for a short time, then goes back to it's standard mode.

:shrug:

[struggle4progress]

3. Click the Apple icon. Select "About this Mac." Look at the popup window.

Version 10.4 is Tiger, 10.5 Leopard, 10.6 Snow Leopard

I've never had your problem. But websearch suggests a black menu bar isn't an official OSX option, so I'd guess you've got a borked file somewhere. If you websearch yourself, knowing which OSX version you use will help

Is your system up-to-date? Was the problem perhaps caused by an OSX update?

There are some standard things you can try that may fix stuff. For example, if you haven't rebooted recently, first just try rebooting. You might also try a safe boot. Or try using Disk Utility to repair permissions.

http://www.macattorney.com/ts.html
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1452?viewlocale=en_US
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1417

The little manual that came with your mac may have other easy generic suggestions. If you can't find it, you can probably download it from the apple website

There are some files that can cause problems if corrupted but that are automatically regenerated if the system doesn't find them. So for some problems, I have simply dragged one of those files from its normal location to the Desktop (so the system can't find it -- but I've still got it if it's not auto-regenerated!), then reboot. You might websearch for menubar problems and see if you can discover such a file. For example, someone in the following thread
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2476367
on a menubar problem suggests "Go to /Users/yourname/Library/Preferences/com.apple.systemuiserver.plist and delete that file then log out and back in or restart. Your menu bar should return to default ... It shouldn't disrupt anything, it will regenerate. But, if there is some corruption there, it will fix it." Of course, it's anonymous internet advice and may be problematic; I haven't tried removing this particular file; and I never tinker with basic system stuff without first making a backup and having more than one recovery plan, in case something goes wrong

[cbayer]

4. Thanks for all the info here. Much appreciated.

I have 10.5.8, so it's Leopard. I get and download all the updates that are sent to me, so I think I am up to date.

This is more of a nuisance than a real problem and my system works flawlessly otherwise. I do have times when page loading becomes very slow, and I generally reboot when that happens and it fixes the problem right away.

I don't think I will mess with this at this point, as I have a history of making things worse when I get to tinkering too much, but I will bookmark your post for future reference.

Again, thank you so much for all the help.

:hi:

[alfredo]

5. Here's something you can do to help your performance.

Go to Applications/Utilities/Disk Utilities. Run Repair Permissions. Take a break.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

absolutely.

do that once a month, at a minimum.
Also clear all caches out.

[alfredo]

7. You can say that again

[cbayer]

9. Another dumb question. Where do I find the caches?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

6. absolutely.

do that once a month, at a minimum.
Also clear all caches out.

[cbayer]

8. I had no idea I was supposed to do this. Just did it and can't thank you enough!

:hi:

[alfredo]

10. Glad I could help.