Mac OS X 10.5.2 Special Report: Startup stalls or fails

As with any incremental Mac OS X update, a number of users are experiencing an inability to properly startup after applying Mac OS X 10.5.2. Our tutorial on startup failure provides some insight. Fixes that are proving effective:

• Startup in Safe mode: Hold the shift key while rebooting your Mac, then just restart normally.
• Reset NVRAM/PRAM: Shut down your Mac, then start it back up while immediately holding the following keys: Command, Option, P and R. Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the third time.
• Check for problematic login/startup items: Startup in safe mode (hold the "Shift" key while you startup). Next, go to the Accounts pane of System Preferences and click the "Login items" tab. Select all the login items and click Remove, then restart. Also, check the /Library/StartupItems and /System/Library/StartupItems folders and remove any third-party items.
• Look for problematic kernel extensions: Boot in Safe mode, and look in the folder /System/Library/Extensions for any third-party kernel extensions (files that end in .kext). Remove the kernel extensions and check for persistence of the issue.
• See the tutorial for more

One MacFixIt reader writes:

"No booting, but after resetting PRAM/NVRAM iMac booted all right."

Index:

• Release Notes an update procedure recommendations
• Determining whether problems are caused by Mac OS X 10.5.2 or Leopard Graphics update
• Downgrading to Mac OS X 10.5.1

• "ACL found but not expected" in Disk Utility
• Active Directory issues
• Adobe application slowness, fixes
• Advice at work
• AirPort slowness, disconnects and more
• Applications fail to launch
• Clicks from speakers
• Finder not starting
• Freezes when using DVD Player
• iCal calendars disappearing
• iPhone syncing problems
• Mail.app issues
• Microsoft Office applications slow to launch
• Missing display resolutions
• Poor Performance: Slow startups; general sluggishness
• Override automatic disk shutdown mechanism
• Parallels problems
• Repair Disk/Permissions to the rescue, again
• Screen savers not asking for passwords
• Slow LAN transfers
• Startup stalls or fails
• System utilities (Cocktail, LCC) must be updated
• Misc. third-party application, device problems (Bluetooth, etc.)
• Time Machine not work properly
• Trackpad, mice, keyboard not working -- reset SMC
• Undocumented fixes
• Wake-from-sleep issues (inadvertent restarts, more)

Resources