Mac Users - Careful With Apple Update (10.4.9)
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April 18th, 2007
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Apple computers are know for causing few problems but the latest update from Apple seems to have pissed off thousands of people. I waited a month after the update came out and then downloaded the update yesterday. With disastrous results. My Macbook was rendered unusable and didn't even boot. But in case you're one of the many who got in trouble, there are a few available workarounds.
Although a majority had no problems with the update, many quickly saw bad signs. Update stops in the middle of downloading or loads fine, but then computer doesn't boot. The Apple symbol with the spinning wheel stays there forever.
There are a few different workarounds in case your computer suddenly is nothing more than an expensive brick. Boot the combo update in target disk mode through another computer, copy and load the combo update through terminal, or do an archive install with the help of the install disk. There might be others as well.
I did bring my install disk but discovered they were for my iMac and no archive install could be performed. But the disk was still a life saver since I could access "Disc Utility" and "Terminal"
Finding a solution at home, with another Mac intact and 100 Mbit internet connection, would have been no problem. But try doing it with a 5 year old computer and dial up connection. Sloooooowwwwwww.
I searched on Google and found an amazing amount of people that had problems. But most solutions involved access to another computer, install disk, or fast internet connection. But then I found Igor and his brilliant solution.
If you are going to update using the usual "software update" then I recommend you first verify disc permission and if you're really energetic also make a backup. Then download the large "Combo Update from Apple" (10.4.9 Intel) It's significantly larger than the regular one but is usually more reliable. Downloading this update ahead of time saved my butt.
Igor's solution involves copying the combo update from a USB drive , then mount it, and run it through "Terminal". I'm an advanced user but my skills in Terminal suck. But he's very helpful and you can follow his commands fairly easy.
It took me a total of seven hours to fix this problem with my limited resources here in Mexico. After finding Igor's solution it was just a matter typing in the right commands and my Macbook was running perfect again.
It's still unknown why so many are having problem but the update seems to be very sensitive if the computer is used as the update installs. Which I did but I still think it's weak from Apple's side to be so picky.
For years now, I have been convinced that Apple intentionally makes their .9 OS releases just aggravating enough to encourage everyone to pay the $129US for the next major update. But that’s me.
Apr 25th, 2007 at 5:03 am
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