Apple's Mac OS X 10.5.6 Update may be around the corner

[AppleInsider]

Apple this week is believed throwing the finishing touches on Mac OS X 10.5.6, the last planned maintenance and security update for Leopard during the 2008 calendar year.

Developers on Wednesday were reportedly equipped with build 9G55 of the software, which included no noticeable changes from the build (9G52) that was distributed five days earlier.

Separately, people familiar with the matter say Mac OS X 10.5.6 Server was also synched up with the client software and now carries the same build number, typically a telltale sign that both distributions are being primed for a public release.

Another sign of a near immediate release is that both the client and server distributions currently reflect no known issues, those same people say. The client software reportedly weighs in at around 370MB while the server update is a bit heftier at 470MB.

Previous coverage of Mac OS X 10.5.6 reveals the client update to bundle more than 100 bug fixes and enhancements. One specific focus has been improving MobileMe's automatic syncing, particularly on portable computers connected to networks with medium to high latency or constrained bandwidth.

Throughout the beta test, the Mac maker had also been requesting feedback on MobileMe syncing from users who may reside behind firewalls, asking they watch for excessive syncing or abnormal syncs.

Apple began external testing of Mac OS X 10.5.6 in late October. At the time, it was noted that a list of focus areas presented to developers was the most extensive yet for a Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard maintenance release. In total, more than 80 core system components had seen modifications and were in need of evaluation.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[adisor19]

Win

My bet is for a release on Friday or Monday.

Obviously i'm hoping it will come out today but i'm not holding my breath.

Adi

[jpkelly1]

I swear, Apple better fix the MBP problem with continuous dropping of airport wireless signal in this update. And yes, I've tried everything.

[Virgil-TB2]

Originally Posted by jpkelly1

I swear, Apple better fix the MBP problem with continuous dropping of airport wireless signal in this update. And yes, I've tried everything.

So you've tried the sonic screwdriver then?

[MagicDrum]

Originally Posted by Virgil-TB2

So you've tried the sonic screwdriver then?

I have the same problem. And the sonic screwdriver doesn't even work.

[themoonisdown09]

I've had no problems with 10.5.5, of course, I don't have MobileMe.

I've had my Airport Extreme up and running in my house for over 6 months without any problem for my iMac and Macbook Pro. It's worked flawlessly.

[minderbinder]

Nice to see, but at the OS level things are working pretty good here.

What I'd kill for is a LOGIC update, some bug fixes and stability improvements.

(typing this while waiting for Logic to reload my session after just crashing...)

[jtmadman]

Originally Posted by jpkelly1

I swear, Apple better fix the MBP problem with continuous dropping of airport wireless signal in this update. And yes, I've tried everything.

AMEN to that!!

They need to fix this now!!!

[diskimage]

Originally Posted by italiankid

Hoping 10.5.6 will fix the issues with Time Machine Errors

What errors? My TM has worked perfectly.

[aplnub]

I think it is funny to say no known issues and have a sharing permission problem that gets carried away into utter chaos that they know about. Maybe they will fix it the problem in this release.

[bloggerblog]

I think this article makes sense, Apple cannot afford to have their top programmers working on SL till July, they need them to work on updating the iPhone software. It's a lesson we learned back in 2007, Apple delayed Leopard for six months to work on the iPhone.

[minderbinder]

Originally Posted by aplnub

I think it is funny to say no known issues and have a sharing permission problem that gets carried away into utter chaos that they know about. Maybe they will fix it the problem in this release.

There are always issues with any OS. "No known issues" just means they have a list of goals for this release and those goals are met with no known issues.

[Kickaha]

Originally Posted by italiankid

I came to Mac in August after using Windows from the gecko...

*psst* If you mean 'from the beginning', then the phrase is 'from the get go', not 'from the gecko'.

[JupiterOne]

Originally Posted by Kickaha

*psst* If you mean 'from the beginning', then the phrase is 'from the get go', not 'from the gecko'.

What do you mean?

[OptionTrader]

Originally Posted by jpkelly1

I swear, Apple better fix the MBP problem with continuous dropping of airport wireless signal in this update.

So if they don't, what will you swear to do then?

[ljocampo]

Apple is always blamed for problems that users have whether it's their software's fault or not. It's my experience that many of the problems I see here and elsewhere complained about are in fact conflicts from the users setup, improper setting, or third party software they use.

I've always tried to keep my iMac systems virgin and free from programs that do not have a long MAC reputation of working with Apple. My computer is usually rock solid stable and I don't get those problems that other claim with every OS or Security update. I suspect that Mac converts from the Windows world and geeks that love to modify their system software or try every shareware program that catches their eye are the one's having crashes and stability problems with there Macs.

When many people with the same configurations don't have the problem that others claim, maybe it's the setup, settings, or a software conflict with something they are using that is causing the complaints. That's Not Apple fault.

Sure Apple has given us bugs but the Mac "so called" power users and Windows programmers writing software for the Mac world have given us many more headaches. It makes the Apple platform look bad to those who don't know better and probably is the main reason Apple is strictly controlling iPhone development. That's just my opinion but I've gathered it from monitoring the MacFixIt forums and others like it for many years.

[wizard69]

I'm on board with others that WiFi must be fixed! It is the only cronic problem on my MBP.

Of course the other bug fixes are also welcomed. I'm also hoping that video acceleration gets back ported to the spring 2008 MBP. In any event sounds like an Apple Christmas present.


Dave

[minderbinder]

Originally Posted by ljocampo

It's my experience that many of the problems I see here and elsewhere complained about are in fact conflicts from the users setup, improper setting, or third party software they use.

In some cases that's the case, but in many cases the problem is with either Apple's OS, apps, or hardware. There are plenty of cases of problems on virgin macs running no third party stuff at all.

Some problems are simply intermittent, just because someone else is running the same thing without a problem doesn't necessarily mean it's the user's fault.

[SpamSandwich]

I wanna know when they are going to update OS9. Been waitin' forever...

[ljocampo]

Originally Posted by minderbinder

In some cases that's the case, but in many cases the problem is with either Apple's OS, apps, or hardware. There are plenty of cases of problems on virgin macs running no third party stuff at all.

Some problems are simply intermittent, just because someone else is running the same thing without a problem doesn't necessarily mean it's the user's fault.

Sure I agree with you. Apple has had its share of whoppers but I think the larger share of proposed bugs, excluding hardware defects, are user oriented even if they seem intermittent. It's usually a third party driver that is not playing nice. Apple has to hunt it down, sometimes it's Apple's fault by changing code but many times its not. This is more noticeable in the OOP programming that constitutes Mac OSX these days. Remember Conflict Catcher? The problem drove us crazy back in the days of system 6 and 7.

However, I don't disagree with what you're saying but I do believe we are both right.

[emig647]

AWESOME... I have so many freaking issues with 10.5.5. By far the worst point release update for 10.5 for me. I have had some many freezes, beachballs, lots of fun. I ended up going back to 10.5.4.

BTW I tried virgin 10.5.5 as well.. and still did it on my 2.33 mbp.

[8CoreWhore]

Anyone having any problems must be doing something wrong because I never have problems.

[emig647]

Originally Posted by 8CoreWhore

Anyone having any problems must be doing something wrong because I never have problems.

Yah that's good reasoning.

[Ouate de Phoque]

They're not problems, they're adventures!

[adisor19]

Originally Posted by emig647

AWESOME... I have so many freaking issues with 10.5.5. By far the worst point release update for 10.5 for me. I have had some many freezes, beachballs, lots of fun. I ended up going back to 10.5.4.

BTW I tried virgin 10.5.5 as well.. and still did it on my 2.33 mbp.

Oh man, SAME HERE. Ever since 10.5.5, i get GUI freezes and even random pnics. They better have taken care of that cause i feel like throwing my MBP on the wall sometimes.

Adi

[minderbinder]

I'm gonna start using "from the gecko". Hey, that's how slang gets invented, and a google search shows plenty of people using it that way on purpose...

[Kickaha]

Originally Posted by minderbinder

I'm gonna start using "from the gecko". Hey, that's how slang gets invented, and a google search shows plenty of people using it that way on purpose...

Yeah, but those are Geico shills.

[emig647]

Originally Posted by Ouate de Phoque

They're not problems, they're adventures!

Heh, unless they happen while you're working.

[Fast Fred 1]

Then it's an opportunity for a cup of coffee, and a cool down.
See Apple is always thinking of you.

Well it's like this, I spent some time in the Navy and 90 % of the problems were Pilot error.

[emig647]

Originally Posted by Fast Fred 1

Then it's an opportunity for a cup of coffee, and a cool down.
See Apple is always thinking of you.

So thoughtful

[CJD2112]

Originally Posted by italiankid

sorry i spelt it wrong... cute gecko though LOL
u know what i meant... from the GET GO! haha ...
my time machine errors (on three iMacs) are...
"Time machine could not backup at this time"

its a known issue

Interestingly, I have seen Time Machine errors solely on iMacs that have a Bluetooth wireless keyboard and mouse setup. Is that the situation with your iMac? Also, are you using an attached HD or Time Capsule? One of my clients (I work in IT) had an iMac with Time Capsule with intermittent errors. The issue turned out to be too much wireless radio frequency crossover. I simply changed the channel on the Time Capsule and the problem was resolved. So in short, if your Time Machine is backing up to a wireless device such as Time Capsule (the only officially allowed method from Apple, as it is possible to attach a HD to another router and configure wireless Time Machine backups to it, but it is not recommended as the hardware is untested by Apple with said software and bugs may ensue), and you have a wireless keyboard/mouse setup as well as cordless phones (or any combination thereof), try changing the channels to avoid radio interference.

In regards to those complaining about Airport Wireless connectivity with MacBook Pro's, I hate to inform you but the issue is hardware related. Aluminum does not play well with wireless devices. In fact, it may decrease the Airport wireless card's ability to connect with networks by as much as 30-40%, which is amusing considering Apple has implemented aluminum across their portable lineup. However, I believe in the new MacBook Pro's (I just sold my early 2008 MacBook Pro for a new unit and thankfully have had no issues with it's Airport card), Apple may have moved the Airport cards to account for aluminum interference.

Finally, in regards to some comments regarding Windows users crossing over and PEBKAC (Problem Exists Between Keyboard And Chair), as I used to build Windows machines and now work in both Windows and Mac environments, I have to admit 75% of the time this is precisely the issue. Windows users are used to having numerous software applications; anti-virus, anti-spyware, theming applications, Norton Utilities and defraggers and on and on that when using a Mac and not needing those applications they feel "unsafe" and naked. So they start buying and installing this software, and from witnessing this first hand, nothing screws up a Mac more than Norton software. I can't tell you how many times I had to uninstall Windows-esque software from Mac's for users who just converted to Apple. If you're a new Mac user, just be content that it works out of the box, no other software is necessary .

Otherwise, I'm looking forward to 10.5.6...

[desides]

Originally Posted by emig647

AWESOME... I have so many freaking issues with 10.5.5. By far the worst point release update for 10.5 for me. I have had some many freezes, beachballs, lots of fun. I ended up going back to 10.5.4.

BTW I tried virgin 10.5.5 as well.. and still did it on my 2.33 mbp.

I find it odd how people can claim these issues yet don't explain what they were doing at the time of supposed error.

[theBigD23]

Originally Posted by CJD2112

Interestingly, I have seen Time Machine errors solely on iMacs that have a Bluetooth wireless keyboard and mouse setup. Is that the situation with your iMac? Also, are you using an attached HD or Time Capsule?

I get the random errors on TM and I don't use bluetooth, it's completely off, and I am using a Mac Pro with an internal HD used as a backup.

[Eluard]

Originally Posted by CJD2112

Interestingly, I have seen Time Machine errors solely on iMacs that have a Bluetooth wireless keyboard and mouse setup. Is that the situation with your iMac? Also, are you using an attached HD or Time Capsule? One of my clients (I work in IT) had an iMac with Time Capsule with intermittent errors. The issue turned out to be too much wireless radio frequency crossover. I simply changed the channel on the Time Capsule and the the problem was resolved. So in short, if your Time Machine is backing up to a wireless device such as Time Capsule (the only officially allowed method from Apple, as it is possible to attach a HD to another router and configure wireless Time Machine backups to it, but it is not recommended as the hardware is untested by Apple with said software and bugs may ensue), and you have a wireless keyboard/mouse setup as well as cordless phones (or any combination thereof), try changing the channels to avoid radio interference.

In regards to those complaining about Airport Wireless connectivity with MacBook Pro's, I hate to inform you but the issue is hardware related. Aluminum does not play well with wireless devices. In fact, it may decrease the Airport wireless card's ability to connect with networks by as much as 30-40%, which is amusing considering Apple has implemented aluminum across their portable lineup. However, I believe in the new MacBook Pro's (I just sold my early 2008 MacBook Pro for a new unit and thankfully have had no issues with it's Airport card), Apple may have moved the Airport cards to account for aluminum interference.

Finally, in regards to some comments regarding Windows users crossing over and PEBKAC (Problem Exists Between Keyboard And Chair), as I used to build Windows machines and now work in both Windows and Mac environments, I have to admit 75% of the time this is precisely the issue. Windows users are used to having numerous software applications; anti-virus, anti-spyware, theming applications, Norton Utilities and defraggers and on and on that when using a Mac and not needing those applications they feel "unsafe" and naked. So they start buying and installing this software, and from witnessing this first hand, nothing screws up a Mac more than Norton software. I can't tell you how many times I had to uninstall Windows-esque software from Mac's for users who just converted to Apple. If you're a new Mac user, just be content that it works out of the box, no other software is necessary .

Otherwise, I'm looking forward to 10.5.6...

Good comment! I'll just add my experience as one more data point: I have the recent MBP, 2.53Ghz and have no problems at all. It just works. Of course there are problems, or we wouldn't have more point updates from Apple, but I believe most have been pushed beyond the horizon of the ordinary user.

(However there is one issue that I've already commented on here: the screen/lid is too heavy for the hinge and will swing back from inertia when I pick it up off the coffee table. The hinge needs to be tighter for a screen this heavy. But this is not a software issue: it is a design mistake.)

[allblue]

Originally Posted by minderbinder

I'm gonna start using "from the gecko". Hey, that's how slang gets invented, and a google search shows plenty of people using it that way on purpose...

Elvis did a song "in the Gecko' years back.

[paxman]

Originally Posted by CJD2112

In regards to those complaining about Airport Wireless connectivity with MacBook Pro's, I hate to inform you but the issue is hardware related. Aluminum does not play well with wireless devices. In fact, it may decrease the Airport wireless card's ability to connect with networks by as much as 30-40%, which is amusing considering Apple has implemented aluminum across their portable lineup. However, I believe in the new MacBook Pro's (I just sold my early 2008 MacBook Pro for a new unit and thankfully have had no issues with it's Airport card), Apple may have moved the Airport cards to account for aluminum interference.

Got the WiFi blues with a White Plastic MacBook.

[sflocal]

I haven't had any wireless issues with mine per se. My wireless box at home is an Airport/Timecapsule, other places I've used the Linksys boxes with no problem. The only problem of a really flaky connection is a D-Link box at the office which refuses to keep a stable connection. I just unplug the box each morning to reboot it and it's fine afterwards.

Make sure your wireless box is in a clear location away from metal that might impede the signal. Also, if you're box is on the other side of the building/house and the signal has to pass through numerous walls, doors, whatever, it will be a hit-and-miss scenario too.

It's easy to blame Apple but in my experience with mine and other folks, it usually points to the wireless router/Access-point.

Just my 2-cents. Hope you find a resolution to this.

[MacTel]

Originally Posted by diskimage

What errors? My TM has worked perfectly.

Mine works great most of the time. I had my system board replaced and Time Machine lost its mind about my older backups. Apparently there's some hardware identity deal that got lost with the new board I'm guessing. Anyone have a similar issue?

It really isn't a big deal to me now but if it happens again I'd be a little bummed.

[bulk001]

[QUOTE=ljocampo;1348900]Apple is always blamed for problems that users have whether it's their software's fault or not. It's my experience that many of the problems I see here and elsewhere complained about are in fact conflicts from the users setup, improper setting, or third party software they use.

---

Well Apple managed to find at least 100 problems on their own to fix. Unless they blame themselves?

[CJD2112]

Originally Posted by theBigD23

I get the random errors on TM and I don't use bluetooth, it's completely off, and I am using a Mac Pro with an internal HD used as a backup.

I have a Mac Pro with a 1 TB internal HD dedicated for Time Machine. I had errors initially due to improper sectors. Have you checked out the integrity of the HD? I recommend using TechTool Pro. Otherwise, I recommend turning off Time Machine, resetting your Time Machine preferences (trash associated .plist files), then restart Time Machine. Also, be aware of what you're running when these errors occur. Every case is sensitive. Hope this helps.