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JohnCoates
Black screen issue still exists. Weather overlay not appearing, Aerial (legacy screensaver not requesting location service.
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Description of issue / Feature request
macOS Sonoma 14.0 2021 24", 4-Port iMac Single (built-in) monitor. Aerial 3.3.4 Aerial Companion 1.5.2.
Black screen still appears after indeterminate amount of time running Aerial screensaver. The only thing that displays are MOST of the overlays (in my configuration (date, time, location) with the exception of:
Weather overlay cannot display based on location, Aerial (legacy screensaver) does not appear to request location services from MacOS as it once did. The only way I know to display it is to manually enter location (zip code or location name).
Please make sure you don't open multiple threads about the same issues. You already opened one about your black screen issue.
When it comes to weather, for it to work you need this :
- Aerial Companion 1.5.2 in your menu bar
- Aerial Companion allowed to use location services in System Settings (to trigger this, you can open Aerial settings from Companion, not from System Settings, go to overlays and press the test button, you should get prompted)
- Aerial 3.3.4
So it's likely Companion cannot pull your location and give it to the screensaver when asked.
Ariel Companion and Ariel are both set as advised. macOS Location Services is not being prompted to allow Ariel (or “legacy screensaver”) location information (as usual). This is a relatively new problem. It worked until recently. On Oct 18, 2023, at 6:02 AM, Guillaume Louel @.***> wrote: Please make sure you don't open multiple threads about the same issues. You already opened one about your black screen issue. When it comes to weather, for it to work you need this :
Aerial Companion 1.5.2 in your menu bar Aerial Companion allowed to use location services in System Settings (to trigger this, you can open Aerial settings from Companion, not from System Settings, go to overlays and press the test button, you should get prompted) Aerial 3.3.4
So it's likely Companion cannot pull your location and give it to the screensaver when asked.
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Companion is set for current location, however, the screensaver is not and appears to not be requesting it.On Oct 18, 2023, at 6:17 AM, Ric Melton @.> wrote:Ariel Companion and Ariel are both set as advised. macOS Location Services is not being prompted to allow Ariel (or “legacy screensaver”) location information (as usual). This is a relatively new problem. It worked until recently. On Oct 18, 2023, at 6:02 AM, Guillaume Louel @.> wrote: Please make sure you don't open multiple threads about the same issues. You already opened one about your black screen issue. When it comes to weather, for it to work you need this :
Aerial Companion 1.5.2 in your menu bar Aerial Companion allowed to use location services in System Settings (to trigger this, you can open Aerial settings from Companion, not from System Settings, go to overlays and press the test button, you should get prompted) Aerial 3.3.4
So it's likely Companion cannot pull your location and give it to the screensaver when asked.
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Pardon me. You were right. I did not have Ariel Companion resident in the met bar. I don’t recall this being a prerequisite before. Thank you.
On Oct 18, 2023, at 6:02 AM, Guillaume Louel @.***> wrote:
Please make sure you don't open multiple threads about the same issues. You already opened one about your black screen issue.
When it comes to weather, for it to work you need this :
Aerial Companion 1.5.2 in your menu bar Aerial Companion allowed to use location services in System Settings (to trigger this, you can open Aerial settings from Companion, not from System Settings, go to overlays and press the test button, you should get prompted) Aerial 3.3.4 So it's likely Companion cannot pull your location and give it to the screensaver when asked.
— Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/JohnCoates/Aerial/issues/1340#issuecomment-1768407239, or unsubscribe https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/BCWXRDRY35CGZVX3OD75XY3X77HN5AVCNFSM6AAAAAA6FGRUTGVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMYTONRYGQYDOMRTHE. You are receiving this because you authored the thread.
No problem, Apple blocked screen savers to request location in Sonoma, and that's the core of the issue, the screen saver will never receive your location.
Because of this, the workaround I've added is that when you launch the screensaver, it will request Companion to ask for your location in the background. Then it will send it back to the screensaver.
It's a bit of a pain but it's the only workaround I can have for now.
Regarding your black screen issue, I've closed the other one, let's try and fix it here.
- First, can you tell me if the clock still runs or not when you see the black screen ?
- Second, can you make a screenshot of your Lock Screen settings in System Settings (don't send it by email, you have to attach it in GitHub).
Then we'll go from here.
Those bastards really piss me off sometimes.
Please forgive me for opening another ticket regarding the black screen issue. I haven’t heard anything lately and assumed the ticket was closed.
On Oct 18, 2023, at 6:33 AM, Guillaume Louel @.***> wrote:
No problem, Apple blocked screen savers to request location in Sonoma, and that's the core of the issue, the screen saver will never receive your location.
Because of this, the workaround I've added is that when you launch the screensaver, it will request Companion to ask for your location in the background. Then it will send it back to the screensaver.
It's a bit of a pain but it's the only workaround I can have for now.
Regarding your black screen issue, I've closed the other one, let's try and fix it here.
First, can you tell me if the clock still runs or not when you see the black screen ? Second, can you make a screenshot of your Lock Screen settings in System Settings (don't send it by email, you have to attach it in GitHub). Then we'll go from here.
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Ariel and Ariel Companion are both the versions you asked. The settings are all as you mentioned. I had to allow Ariel Companion to reside in the menu bar. It’s working now. I will have to wait until the next black screen in order to provide further details. I believe the clock still works, but am not sure. On Oct 18, 2023, at 6:39 AM, Guillaume Louel @.***> wrote: No worries, can you provide the details I asked above ? Thanks
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This is what I need for your black screen issue :
- First, can you tell me if the clock still runs or not when you see the black screen ?
- Second, can you make a screenshot of your Lock Screen settings in System Settings (don't send it by email, you have to attach it in GitHub).
Hi @glouel , I sometimes get the black screen as well. Here are my specs along with the lock screen settings you were requesting from @RGM1956
I believe the clock still appears through the black screen, the weather most definitely does.
Original release M1 MBA
Thanks @peterchabs that's helpful, and sorry about the issue.
Do you get them instantly, mid video, instead of a new video ?
Also, if you leave it for 5 mins, does it stay black or a new one pops ?
If you can, go to Aerial's settings, advanced, check "Debug Log". Then next time you get this, go back there, and grab the log (called AerialLog.txt) and send it to me with the rough time it happenned ?
Let's see if we can sort it out !
I still see it from time to time as well. Frankly, with Sonoma‘s new Wallpaper/Screensavers, I must question if this is an intentional“bomb” Apple laid in order to squash competition. We saw it when they stopped allowing Aerial Screensavers to access location information for the weather overlay. Sometimes, I hate Apple software. On Nov 24, 2023, at 6:31 AM, peterchabs @.***> wrote:
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Thanks @peterchabs that's helpful, and sorry about the issue.
Do you get them instantly, mid video, instead of a new video ?
Also, if you leave it for 5 mins, does it stay black or a new one pops ?
If you can, go to Aerial's settings, advanced, check "Debug Log". Then next time you get this, go back there, and grab the log (called AerialLog.txt) and send it to me with the rough time it happenned ?
Let's see if we can sort it out !
No need to apologize for anything, I appreciate the work you guys have put into this. Thank you.
This happens instead of a new video starting, and it does not go away unless I wake the mac from the screensaver.
I've attached a log file where it did happen during this time frame, scanning through it quickly I didn't notice anything alarming but i could be missing something! AerialLog.txt
@peterchabs looks like you added some custom videos in a forbidden folder. Can you make a screenshot of your "More videos", scrolled down, so it shows your local sources ?
See, this path will never work because of security restrictions, when Aerial runs as a screensaver, it will never be allowed to load files from this path :
file:///Users/user/Documents/Aerial%20Videos/
I need to find a way to reject those paths when people add them but basically, you should only put videos in /Users/Shared/ as this is one of the only "safe" place right now. Also, make sure that when you add the source, you do it going into Aerial's settings from System Settings, not via Companion. Adding a local source via companion right now may cause issues too under Sonoma.
So try removing your source, put your folder in /Users/Shared/ and then let me know if it acts up again. It's highly likely it tried to load, was denied, and just got stuck because of it.
@peterchabs looks like you added some custom videos in a forbidden folder. Can you make a screenshot of your "More videos", scrolled down, so it shows your local sources ?
See, this path will never work because of security restrictions, when Aerial runs as a screensaver, it will never be allowed to load files from this path :
file:///Users/user/Documents/Aerial%20Videos/I need to find a way to reject those paths when people add them but basically, you should only put videos in
/Users/Shared/as this is one of the only "safe" place right now. Also, make sure that when you add the source, you do it going into Aerial's settings from System Settings, not via Companion. Adding a local source via companion right now may cause issues too under Sonoma.So try removing your source, put your folder in
/Users/Shared/and then let me know if it acts up again. It's highly likely it tried to load, was denied, and just got stuck because of it.
Ahh got it, thank you!
Download full resolution images Available until Dec 30, 2023 https://www.icloud.com/attachment/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcvws.icloud-content.com%2FB%2FATkP16etPDdVGZuC6ARyRy0lixOiAfeaH3JkD5p0GsHMd34zEaFWxUt9%2F%24%7Bf%7D%3Fo%3DAtR2QLBv4AQ65YJQWgGhlj0erUU0R6TEfRqMWhIBpTWa%26v%3D1%26x%3D3%26a%3DCAogJeTJAre6qRb8wZM-3VcuU7mv0bGyBqoPC7zPoONErygSdhD_v_uMwjEY_8_24MsxIgEAKgkC6AMA_xns_UNSBCWLE6JaBFbFS31qJe9QAsS7qGs3_WfMvKQbMXVABAfMombxk6IDZLmogXPloOdiVPByJaR-Co4Qsd9qLc8xNDUJg7DMIEfSq23v87bVraa3VEGDboNlLQE%26e%3D1703963109%26fl%3D%26r%3D8A28C74B-E728-43BC-9D48-76023ED72CA2-1%26k%3D%24%7Buk%7D%26ckc%3Dcom.apple.largeattachment%26ckz%3D4A0B801F-D8A2-448F-BC68-DA278237AD9A%26p%3D108%26s%3D9jpU3Mhb7942cHudnlyrHzn_Rqk&uk=z3OtdBThr7PzU4m1auKKQw&f=Images.zip&sz=35518461Now that I am finally in the right place at there righty time, notice location of video does not show. Because no video selected, loaded or playing?
 

On Nov 25, 2023, at 8:23 AM, Guillaume Louel @.***> wrote:
@peterchabs https://github.com/peterchabs looks like you added some custom videos in a forbidden folder. Can you make a screenshot of your "More videos", scrolled down, so it shows your local sources ?
See, this path will never work because of security restrictions, when Aerial runs as a screensaver, it will never be allowed to load files from this path :
file:///Users/user/Documents/Aerial%20Videos/ I need to find a way to reject those paths when people add them but basically, you should only put videos in /Users/Shared/ as this is one of the only "safe" place right now. Also, make sure that when you add the source, you do it going from System Settings, not via Companion. Adding a local source via companion right now may cause issues too under Sonoma.
So try removing your source, put your folder in /Users/Shared/ and then let me know if it acts up again.
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How can it be that after all these months this is still an issue?

On Oct 18, 2023, at 6:02 AM, Guillaume Louel @.***> wrote:
Please make sure you don't open multiple threads about the same issues. You already opened one about your black screen issue.
When it comes to weather, for it to work you need this :
Aerial Companion 1.5.2 in your menu bar Aerial Companion allowed to use location services in System Settings (to trigger this, you can open Aerial settings from Companion, not from System Settings, go to overlays and press the test button, you should get prompted) Aerial 3.3.4 So it's likely Companion cannot pull your location and give it to the screensaver when asked.
— Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/JohnCoates/Aerial/issues/1340#issuecomment-1768407239, or unsubscribe https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/BCWXRDRY35CGZVX3OD75XY3X77HN5AVCNFSM6AAAAAA6FGRUTGVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMYTONRYGQYDOMRTHE. You are receiving this because you authored the thread.
Same issue here. Weather overlay stopped working about 2 weeks ago. Debug log shows this:
2024-04-27 13:40:53.159 : fetching fresh weather
2024-04-27 13:40:53.159 : Starting Location initialization
2024-04-27 13:40:53.159 : Location using CompanionBridge data
2024-04-27 13:40:53.159 : === OW: Starting locationMode
2024-04-27 13:40:53.159 : Best matched language : en
2024-04-27 13:40:53.159 : 🎧 Adding music callback
2024-04-27 13:40:53.160 : 🎧🟧 manual triggering
2024-04-27 13:40:53.160 : 🎧 media remote callback
2024-04-27 13:40:53.161 : 🎧 audio info
2024-04-27 13:40:53.161 : 🎧 - () without artwork
2024-04-27 13:40:53.162 : 🎧🟧 updateStatus
2024-04-27 13:40:53.204 : Starting 1 streams with 299146103 each, for content length of 299146103
2024-04-27 13:40:53.204 : last stream range: {0, 299146103}
2024-04-27 13:40:53.204 : Starting download for range bytes=0-299146103
2024-04-27 13:40:53.222 : The operation couldn’t be completed. (Aerial.NetworkError error 3.)
Is this an ongoing / known issue still?
Same issue here. Weather overlay stopped working about 2 weeks ago. Debug log shows this:
Is it like never working since 2 weeks ago ? For some it sporadically doesn't work but it's not all the time. The weather API sometimes doesn't respond but it should be a rare occurence, only once in a while.
2024-04-27 13:40:53.159 : fetching fresh weather 2024-04-27 13:40:53.159 : Starting Location initialization 2024-04-27 13:40:53.159 : Location using CompanionBridge data 2024-04-27 13:40:53.159 : === OW: Starting locationMode
Ok so that part looks good, as far as I know. Can you confirm you have Aerial Companion running ?
2024-04-27 13:40:53.204 : Starting 1 streams with 299146103 each, for content length of 299146103 2024-04-27 13:40:53.204 : last stream range: {0, 299146103} 2024-04-27 13:40:53.204 : Starting download for range bytes=0-299146103 2024-04-27 13:40:53.222 : The operation couldn’t be completed. (Aerial.NetworkError error 3.)
The network error is weird. Here it fails trying to get a video, but it's likely the weather failed too (maybe later in the log).
Are you using some sort of firewall software ?
If you can, try opening System Settings > ScreenSaver, make sure it says Aerial on top and press "Options" to open Aerial's settings. Then go to Overlays > Weather and try the "Test" button. It should open a window and show your found City.
Let me know if it works here or not, and if it doesn't, can you paste that part of the log from that test too ? Thanks
Sorry I should have also specified that both 'Use Current Location' and manually entering my city 'San Francisco, CA' result in 'City Not Found' (this worked a couple of weeks ago even with just my ZIP code)
Also, Aerial Companion is running and is approved in location services.
@amcclay Ok I know it's weird for the US, but don't use state abbrevations like CA, because the API doesn't understand it.
Can you try with just "San Francisco" ?
I have the same error with CA, and it works fine without.
Edit : I double checked and it returns the correct SF (in your case) in California.
I feel dumb for not noticing the message that I should NOT be using state abbreviations, but I did try it with and without them while troubleshooting and still get the City Not Found message.
Similarly, 'use location' returns the same message.
Also note that I DO have Little Snitch installed, but it is completely disabled.
-
Ok can you get me a log of those tries ? Maybe it shows this when there is a network error. It shouldn't but I had to change some stuff for Sonoma and it likely causes this.
-
Also which macOS version are you using exactly ?
Also note that I DO have Little Snitch installed, but it is completely disabled.
You may want to triple check Little Snitch as it may still block things. I don't use it but I know that some people thought they had disabled it but not completely disabled somehow.
Because of the way it works now, Aerial doesn't do the network request directly, it goes though one of three processes :
So make sure System Settings, Companion and ScreenSaverEngine (maybe legacyScreenSaver.appex) can all access network.
- You can try opening Settings from Companion and test there <- in that case it's Companion that should be allowed)
- Settings from System Settings <- System settings should be allowed (or maybe legacyScreenSaver)
- Screensaver itself <- ScreenSaverEngine.app (or maybe legacyScreenSaver)
Also, you can try grabbing a video manually from Aerial's Settings (from Companion or System Settings). If that fails too, it's definitely a network issue and Little Snitch is a likely culprit. Keep me posted.
So, Little Snitch is as completely disabled as it can be without me totally uninstalling it (which I may try down the line)
Aerial Companion and legacyScreenSaver are approved in Location but there is no entry there for ScreenSaverEngine.app. Are you referring solely to Location access or is there another setting I should look at?
Manually downloading view the 'More Videos' seems to work fine (it downloaded the Joshua Michaels videos without issue)
So, Little Snitch is as completely disabled as it can be without me totally uninstalling it (which I may try down the line)
Ok, as I understand there's a separate settings for Apps and System. But see below.
Aerial Companion and legacyScreenSaver are approved in Location but there is no entry there for ScreenSaverEngine.app. Are you referring solely to Location access or is there another setting I should look at?
I'm referring specifically to Networking issues.
Manually downloading view the 'More Videos' seems to work fine (it downloaded the Joshua Michaels videos without issue)
Was that via opening Aerial's Settings via Companion or System Settings ? And via the same way, Weather still fails when you press Test button ?
Companion should be the easiest one to try out.
So in case that's not what you did, please try both downloading and the Test button on weather (with San Francisco) and see what it does. And if only one fails, again please please attach a log of that whole testing (both the one that worked, downloading video, and the one that fails, weather) ?
I'll try to have a look tomorrow.
Also, are you using any form of proxy or vpn ?
I'll run all these tests later tonight.
I should say, that this failure to access the weather happened on TWO Macs I have in the same apartment, which leads me to believe it is likely a network issue somewhere. Possibly even some kind of fireballing happening at the level of my ISP.
One thing I may try is bringing my laptop to a cafe and seeing if I am able to access the weather data there.
Thanks for all your help so far!
No problem, and I agree it seems like a definite network issue, if it's not on your mac, could be a router, or ISP blocking. Or maybe somehow your IP range is blocked from the API, but that sounds super weird.
If you have some vpn provider that lets you connect elsewhere, it's also a good quick way to bypass all that.
Couple more thoughts :
- Check if https://openweathermap.org works for you (it's their front facing website)
- Openweather's API uses HTTP, and not HTTPS. Make sure you don't have anything in front of your mac (router, some other filtering) that could deny those ? ISP seems unlikely but who knows ?
- http://api.openweathermap.org/data/2.5/weather is one of the endpoint we use. It does require an API key so you won't be able to fully test it, but give it a shot in Safari for example, see if that works.
Opening that link in Safari should return a JSON like this :
{"cod":401, "message": "Invalid API key. Please see https://openweathermap.org/faq#error401 for more info."}
Best of luck and keep me posted, I'll try to get back to you tomorrow, take care.
I hate to burst bubbles, but the weather overlay STOPPED working on my system too. And I was not using state abbreviations.
As of very recently it stopped displaying current weather with or without the state being fully spelled out. And cannot find the city regardless of advice given.
I give up. Ariel screensavers have been one problem after another spice the release of Sonoma, several months ago, and isn’t worth it. I’m uninstalling it.
On Apr 27, 2024, at 3:57 PM, Guillaume Louel @.***> wrote:
No problem, and I agree it seems like a definite network issue, if it's not on your mac, could be a router, or ISP blocking. Or maybe somehow your IP range is blocked from the API, but that sounds super weird.
If you have some vpn provider that lets you connect elsewhere, it's also a good quick way to bypass all that.
Couple more thoughts :
Check if https://openweathermap.org https://openweathermap.org/ works for you (it's their front facing website) Openweather's API uses HTTP, and not HTTPS. Make sure you don't have anything in front of your mac (router, some other filtering) that could deny those ? ISP seems unlikely but who knows ? http://api.openweathermap.org/data/2.5/weather is one of the endpoint we use. It does require an API key so you won't be able to fully test it, but give it a shot in Safari for example, see if that works. Opening that link in Safari should return a JSON like this :
{"cod":401, "message": "Invalid API key. Please see https://openweathermap.org/faq#error401 for more info."} Best of luck and keep me posted, I'll try to get back to you tomorrow, take care.
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@amcclay let me know if
http://api.openweathermap.org/data/2.5/weather
and
https://api.openweathermap.org/data/2.5/weather
returns the json above in a browser. OpenWeather used to not support https but it looks like they added it recently. I'll transition to https in next build but it could be the issue.