Apple releases Mac OS X 10.4.7 Update - Page 2

No, you misread it. FTP has been in there since 10.0, five years ago, this was just giving it a tweak.

I've not heard of the target mode trick. How is that done?

In any case, the installer killed the machine. Apps would not launch, and Software Update was no where to be found on my system. Thats why I decided to try a reboot. But, this just made things worse.

I've never been able to make uploads over FTP. Instead, I've always had to use CyberDuck. Am I doing something wrong?

well...after many years of prudent computing and i've been burned. note of caution, unmount any disk images before installing update...mine now thinks that i have the wrong password. great.

My 20" G5 iMac rebooted rather quickly, but the fan was set ON full blast. I repaired permissions and rebooted, and it seems to be stable now.

Unfortunately, my 12" G4 PB is still stuck in restart mode now some 5 minutes after. It got past the grey screen, and is now on the light blue screen with spinning ball. I'll let it go another 5 minutes before I hard-restart it.

I really wish Apple could design an update that works the first time. :-(

It seems that those who are having problems are running Intel machines. Any problems on the PowerPC side?

PowerBook G4 right here...

Well this is far from encouraging:

"Important:If you forget the password, the data stored in the encrypted disk image will be irretrievably lost..."

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107333

Sadly, no. Finder does not support FTP upload. Terminal does.

*shrug* I don't think we're going to see Finder-upload-FTP until we see a new Finder.

If you boot any Mac* built in the past few years, and hold down Cmd-T, it doesn't actually boot, but just enters a mode determined by the motherboard - FireWire Target. You'll see a big FireWire logo appear on the screen, and that's it. At this point, your expensive computer is an expensive external hard drive - you can plug it into another Mac with a FireWire cable, and it acts just like an external hard drive. Which means you can muck with it, fix it, repair it, or erase it, whatever you want.

In this case, you'd delete /Library/Receipts/MacOSX10.4.7_Update.pkg, and then run the 10.4.7 updater (downloadable as a .pkg file from Apple Support), and tell it to install on the 'external' hard drive. It would then just reapply the update over the top of the borked install. Unmount the drive from the booted computer, disconnect the Target Mode Mac, and then reboot it with the power button. It should boot then.

*I think this is true... anyone want to confirm/deny? Long ago it was just the PowerBooks, but it was so bloody useful, they expanded it across the lines.

Well, it didn't finish spinning, so I rebooted and it stalled on the same screen with no spinning indicator - but I could hear the HD working, so I waited. And it eventually started up. No other problems.

This has happened before with an update - but it shouldn't at all.

So what do I do? Update right now, or wait? It seems that I should wait, but then again this is a forum so people are here to complain about their problems. Since this is my first update what do I do? I don't want to risk losing all of my music, photos, and other files that I have. Do I need to back them up in someway?

Er, well, you should *always* be backing them up.

And you are correct in observing that the only folks who are going to speak up, in general, are those having problems.

I usually download the .pkg file and install manually, just because it cuts down on networking errors and such causing problems. *shrug*

I thought it was hold down T, just like booting from CD is hold down C.


Here we go. A little outdated, but includes the earliest models featuring Firewire Target Disk Mode.

My very early impressions:

Bad:

-PithHelmet disabled itself due to the Safari update. Now I have to wait a month for an update.

-The Go Go Redball widget was screwed up, graphics freaking out and I couldn't close it, not even by force quitting it in Activity Monior. Finally got it fixed by deleting the prefrences and restarting the dock. Works fine now. (Yay, now I can waste time bouncing a virtual ball again!)

-Didn't fix an issue I was having with my headphone jack / optical out always thinking an optical cable is plugged in. (Internal speakers don't work when it thinks something is plugged in). But hey, that's most likely a hardware issue and I wasn't expecting much.


Good:

-I was having massive performance issues with QuickTime and iTunes before. It would take 20 seconds to start playing an audio file in QT and I would often get beachballs in iTunes when doing something as simple as un-pausing a song. That seems to be fixed now. Very happy about that.

-Dashboard seems to start up much faster. Only takes a few seconds now with 15 widgets.

-Overall system performance seems slightly improved. May just be my perception due to the fixed QuickTime issue but maybe not.

Hey, now, cut out the exaggeration. Pithhelmet is usually updated to work with new versions of Safari within days, rarely longer than a week except after major upgrades (Jaguar to Tiger and the like). Mike's fast updates are one reason I happily paid my $10 shareware fee.

It may be, it's changed a couple of times over the years.

This update is SHIT! After an a reinstall (errr, Windows anyone!), I now have the iMac back. What a PITA! a complete waste of an evening for a frickin' software patch.

But wait....there's more.

I decided to take the risk and update my PowerBook. Well, after a reboot, Apple's lovely update has this Mac stuck on the grey screen. WTF! This is well below what I expect from Apple.

Also, FW mode is T on boot. I knew that part of the equation, but I've never heard of installing system updates from FW disk mode. Hell, when Apple F's it up this badly, I guess we've gotta get creative.

I like pita bread also.

Pretty close...keep guessing.

Some people are over reacting I would say \

And just out of curiosity, how many people here having problems DIDN'T install the Combo Update?

It's not an intel thing, my MBP works just great! better than great! Like a brand new Operating System great!

I'm also curious how many people had custom stuff running on their Mac before. Not like special widgets, but stuff that changes core system operation or functionality.

Well, here's your chance to shine. Two Macs being brought down by the same update...one Intel on PPC. I've cobbled the iMac back together.

What should I do? The PB has been sitting for over 30min at the grey screen. The fan is running but I can't hear anything else. So, what now?

POS update.

-edit-
Nothing special on either Mac. The PB was just cleaned off, so it had abt 9GB of space on the drive. Both of my Macs pretty much represent a 'stock' install. Only Apple-supplied updates.

which update did you do???????????????????????????

It'll be interesting to find out if there's any common theme among those having so many problems.

My 15" MBP and my Quad G5 both updated flawlessly and without a single hitch -- that's both Intel and PPC updates.

Is there some app most of the people having problems run? Some haxie? Some peripheral or particular system configuration?

I think you guys can be pretty sure that Apple does test these updates on a pretty wide variety of systems, and they have lots of beta testers too, so there must be something a bit unusual going on here for such crash-and-burn results to slip past Apple's attention. I don't think Apple's QA people are watching the update fail miserably on 1 out of 10 or 100 or even 1000 systems, then doing nothing but snorting derisively and saying, "Eh, whatever, good enough. Ship it!"

On the iMac, I first did the 10.4.6 -> .7 update (Intel)
-This crashed and ruined the OS

After Reinstall to 10.4.4, I ran the 10.4.4 -> .7 update (Intel)
-No problems


On the 12" PB, I ran the 10.4.6 -> .7 (PPC)
-It is now stuck on the grey screen...45min and counting

-edit-

As I said, both my Macs are very stock. RAM is the only common upgrade, but this does not seem to be a RAM related issue.

No haxie, so system tweaks

No problems on my iMac G5 first ed. A couple of widgets not displaying properly is only thing I noticed...they will soon be updated I'm sure

As usual, No problems here.

Want a trouble free update? Do ALL of the following. Sure, its a few extra steps, but certainly worth the trouble.

Here the list:

1. backup your data
2. Repair permissions. (before and after update)
3. Use a utility like ONYX to clean your caches.
4. I always use Disk Warrior to rebuild my directory.
5. Download the Combo updater (do not use Software Update)
6. Unplug all Firewire and USB drives and devices from computer
7. Run installer

I ALWAYS do all of the above before an OS update and I've never had a single problem.

Most of the time (not always,) when people are blaming Apple they should be blaming themselves for not maintaining their systems and backing up properly. Updating the OS on top of a system with directory errors is the number one reason for erratic behavior. Disk Utility costs $100, but it takes care of directory errors.

I can not believe they still not support Pentax ist Ds RAW file while they support Pentax ist DL RAW file ...

The point I've been trying to make is that it's probably because you didn't install the combo update.

Intel Combo

PPC Combo

Thanks, but no thanks.

I have Onyx...and run it. Ther is no Disk Util for my iMac. I have no FW drives attached. I run a Mac-based business, and know how to take care of my machines.

But c'mon, these steps should not be neccassary for a system update. What about the kid who just got a Mac at school...or worse, his mom who just got one. This would seriously screw them up.

My iMac was dead, and I was able to ounce back in a few hours. Other wouldn't be able to. I certainly blame Apple when a third of my Macs here are knocked out by the same update.

Why is the combo neccassary? I am up to date on my SW. Apple is distributing SW to my desktop. It should work.

Anyways, to the matter at hand...what are oyur opinions about the PowerBook? Should I restart, or let it run a bit longer?

Unfortunately, they are necessary. Better be safe than sorry.

Definitely restart, if it's hung up for an hour now, it's not doin anything, that's my opinion :/

As for why the combo is neccessary? I'm not really sure. I just know it is. There's probably someone else here who is more qualified to answer that than me. I've also heard that repairing permissions before the SW update install is just as good as the combo update. So my guess is that the combo update has all its permissions already correct, whereas the incremental update is building upon files with improper permissions, then causing problems. That's my guess. I'm really not sure though, there may be more involved than simply permission...

Solsun-This is AI, and I know the people with the problems are usually the bad guys. But, these machines are well maintained, more-so than most. Instead of chastising me, based on you assumptions abt how the computers are kept, how about something useful?

The larger point is that the vast majority of users don't have the foggiest idea that Onyx, etc exists. If an Apple update that arrives thru SWU is wreaking havoc on systems, it is Apple's fault. If repairing perms is so essential to the upgrade process, then why isn't that built into the installer?

Well, I will certainly use combos from now on. I rebooted the PB twice. On the second attempt, it worked and I'm now logged in.

I have one more Mac to upgrade...but I think that can wait until morning. Enough fun for one evening.

These are questions not easily answered by mere men.

ALWAYS USE THE COMBO UPDATER. Even if you are otherwise up to date.

Apple likes to over-simply the process of doing system updates through Software Update. Any experienced user will tell you not to do this, at some point, it will bite you in the ass.

And if you don't want to spend the $$ to buy a directory repair utility like "Disk Warrior," at the very least you need to use the "repair disk" function in "Disk Utility" before doing a system update.

Keda, firstly I wasn't speaking to you directly and I did not chastize anyone, My exact words were "Most of the time" not always. Secondly, I did post something useful. 7 tips to be exact.

And I agree, Apple needs to be more explicit in directing users how to update properly... However, as I said, Apple likes to over simplify the process by using the one-step software update method. There is much more that needs to be done for updates to be successful everytime.

Apple is at fault for their update methods.

Solsun is correct. The only thing I don't agree with is repairing permissions before updating. That has been shown to be unneccessary. Otherwise, the suggestions are fine.

Apple themselves recommend that one always check the Hd before applying an update, or upgrade, then repairing permissions afterwards.

Yet, with software update, you don't get a chance.

Now that the Disk Utility can verify a disk without starting from another drive, there is no excuse not to do at least that, and then if a problem exists, restart from somewhere else, and fix the drive.

Many problems are from the hd having some minor problem which is then exaggerated when the update, or upgrade is applied.

The other thing of importance is to ALWAYS unmount, turn off, and disconnect any Firewire Hd's from your system before applying the update. After you know that everything is again ok, you can turn them on, and reconnect.

Lastly, sometimes the update will remove parts of third parties software, and put it in the old system folder. The software then will have a problem. Unfortunately, unlike System 9 and earlier, it can be almost impossible to understand just which files they are, and even if found, where to put them.

The Combo updater can fix problems, or at least not give you more, because it installs the new software from the base system release, rather than just applying the newest files. That can be much better because it eliminates accumulated dross in the system, and does it fresh.

Quad G5, incremental update(s) thru Software Update, NO PROBLEM!

WTF, you people all sound like meth lab cooks!

So many update recipes, which one is the best!

I think I'll try the special 12 step AA recipe this time!

But if you really, Really, REALLY want to update OS HeX without a hitch, I'd suggest having the Pope come over to your house, and have him perform an EXORCISM prior to applying the update!

So much for the so called HeX's vaunted ease of use argument, wouldn't you say?

Are all you people trying to convert people to Windows XP? Which BTW, I've NEVER had a problem updating (although it needs updates on an almost HOURLY basis)!

Critical data you say? WTF, burn baby burn! You have heard of flash drives? But, you say, you have a 100,000,000TB mission critical project due 3 days before the day after tomorrow, but for SOME irrational reason, you MUST immediately update HeX, because, of course, you've got nothing better to do with your time!

ROTFLMAO