MacBook Pro Software Update 1.1 (#3): Causes World of Warcraft issues; fixes

In addition to potential issues with VMWare Fusion, users are reporting problems with World of Warcraft after installing MacBook Pro Software Update 1.1, including sluggish performance, graphics stuttering and more.

As described by "Kgar," a poster to the World of Warcraft user forums:

"I just installed the brand new MacBook Pro update and afterwards, without changing any settings, WoW seems to stutter at a set rate i.e. not a framerate issue, the game is hanging about every 1/2 second for a split second. Movement appears off, everything seems off and the game, while perhaps not unplayable, in intensely frustrating."

As previously reported, MacBook Pro Software Update 1.1 makes changes to the following, graphics-related files:

/System/Library/Extensions/

As such, reverting the system to a state prior to installation of MacBook Pro Software Update 1.1 should be able to resolve this issue. This can be accomplished via the following process, adapted from our tutorial on reverting to a previous iteration of Mac OS X (reinstalling the system). Note, however, that reverting your system will remove any refinements brought by the update.

First, make a backup of your current Mac OS X installation with the MacBook Pro Software Update update applied, problematic as it may be. If there is an issue along the way, your valuable data will be safely intact in its current form.

Next, you'll need to perform an Archive and Install process to remove all of the MacBook Pro Software Update's (potentially problem-causing) components, and replace them with the components of a fresh copy provided by the Mac OS X disc that shipped with your system, or a retail Mac OS X disc. Unfortunately, this means you will lose some system settings and some or all third-party system add-ons.

To begin the process, insert your Mac OS X CD or DVD, as indicated above. Restart your machine and hold down the "C" key to boot from the newly inserted disc. Follow the on-screen instructions, and after accepting the license agreement, click "Options." Select "Archive and Install," and check the "Preserve User and Network Settings" option if you'd like to do so.

After the installation process is complete, you will be left with an earlier Mac OS X system that (hopefully) does not suffer from the problems generated by the update. Use Software Update or Apple's download page to download the update that brings your system to a state directly prior to the MacBook Pro Software update -- in this case apply the Mac OS X 10.4.10 combo updater and any other subsequent updates that didn't initially cause problems.

Toggle frame rate Another suggestion is to adjust the frame rate by typing /console maxfps 30 in the in-game chat. This is only a temporary solution, however.

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

Previous coverage:

• VMWare Fusion broken by MacBook Pro Software Update 1.1?
• MacBook Pro Software Update 1.1 released

Resources