Mac OS X 10.4.9 Special Report: Update procedure recommendation

First, make a full backup of your current Mac OS X installation -- preferably a clone ( try SuperDuper! or Carbon Copy Cloner). If something goes wrong, or you experience a major incompatibility after updating, the backup will prove invaluable.

Next, if you are the cautious type, run a disk repair on the volume targeted for installation. You can use an n alternative startup drive or your Mac OS X installation disc. If you are starting up from your Mac OS X install disc, put the disc in your optical drive and restart holding down the "C" key. After your system starts up and you've selected your language, go to the "Utilties" menu and select "Disk Utility." Use the "Repair Disk" function. After disk repairs are complete, restart from your normal startup drive and continue.

Avoid performing any other operations (in Mac OS X or third-party applications) while the update process is occurring. Performing other tasks during the update process potentiates various issues, including problems with prebinding (which is happening during the "Optimizing the system" phase of the update process) and others that can occur when files are being replaced by the update are also being read/written by the currently logged in user. You should not only refrain from launching applications or working with files during the update process, but also from putting the system to sleep, disconnecting/connecting devices, and other potentially interruptive actions.

In addition, before installing the update, make sure all Apple-installed applications and utilities are in their original locations. Moving one of these applications to a different location on your hard drive can lead to an incomplete update. Also, disconnect any FireWire/USB devices before applying Mac OS X 10.4.9 (except for your startup drive, if it is FireWire or USB, and your keyboard/mouse), then reconnect the devices one by one (checking for issues created by any particular device) after the update process is complete and the system has restarted. Also, note that the first restart after applying Mac OS X 10.4.9 may be abnormally long. Subsequent restarts should take place at normal speed.

Index:

• Release notes
• Update procedure recommendation
• Common workarounds for when things go wrong post-update
• Downgrading to Mac OS X 10.4.8 (uninstalling Mac OS X 10.4.9)
• Files modified by this update

• AirPort: Loss of connectivity, card not recognized, more
• Application launch problems
• Bluetooth device issues
• Classic: Will not run, other issues
• Desktop icons missing
• Disk images not mounting
• Eject key issues: Longer duration before action takes place
• External optical drives: hardware errors
• Final Cut Pro/Express: Capture issues, performance concerns
• Finder persistently crashes and re-launches
• Frozen windows
• iSync issues/general synchronization problems
• Mail.app: junk filters not working
• Microsoft Office: Various issues
• Networking problems with Mac OS 9 systems
• Persistent booting into Windows
• Printer problems, fixes
• Problems starting up
• Quicken: .Mac backup failure: Fixes
• Resolved issues
• Secure site access broken: fixes
• Segmentation faults
• Server connection drops
• Third-party device issues (Nikon Capture NX, Griffin AirClick, more)
• Update to Final Cut Pro 5.1.4 for best performance
• Volume significantly louder: boon for some, drawback for others
• VPN connectivity issues
• WWAN update included, how to remove

Resources