July 3, 2008 9:25 AM PDT

Mac OS X 10.5.4 (#4): Spotlight problems; random shutdowns; poor performance; more

by CNET staff

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Spotlight problems Some users have reported Spotlight problems after updating to Mac OS X 10.5.4, a relatively common occurrence with major system updates.

One reader writes:

"The update to 10.5.4 results in loss of application indexing in spotlight. Had to rebuild spotlight index"

The first procedure you should try in the case of general Spotlight issues after a major system update is the following:

Download the utility Spotless.
Use the tool to erase the Spotlight index.
Restart your Mac.

If that doesn't solve your problem, there is likely some data on your drive that is causing Spotlight to choke while it's indexing. Launch the Console application (located in /Applications/Utilities, then select system.log from the left-hand pane. In Filter field (upper-right corner), type Spotlight and look for any entries that might indicate faulty data. Also try the search term mds. When any suspect entries turn up, seek them our on your volume(s) and temporarily remove them from Spotlight indexing via this process:

Find the problematic file(s) or folder(s) in the Finder and leave the window open
Launch System Preferences and go to the Spotlight pane
Click the Privacy tab
Drag the offending file(s)/folder(s) to the Privacy tab, then perform the aforementioned process for removing the Spotlight index.

Random shutdowns Some users have reported sporadic, sudden shutdowns after the update to Mac OS X 10.5.4. One reader writes:

"I have a G5 iMac 2 Ghz I updated to 10.5.4 now the system has random shutdowns."

Previously reported cases of random shutdowns were endemic to specific systems.

A general fix for this issue: resetting your Mac's power management unit (PMU) if your system is PowerPC-based system management controller (SMC) if your system is Intel-based.

Instructions for resetting the PMU for various PowerPC-based Mac models are contained in the following Knowledge Base articles:

Instructions for resetting the SMC for various Intel-based Mac models are contained in the following Knowledge Base articles:

Resetting NVRAM may also resolve power-related shutdown issues. In order to perform this process, 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.

Problems installing Some users have reported problems installing the Mac OS X 10.5.4 update. MacFixIt reader Mathieu writes:

"I have just finished downloading the Mac OS X 10.5.4 update and when I try to install, it freezes at 'Configuring Installation.' I have tried to relaunch the installation a few times but in vain."

If you are experiencing a similar issue, try re-downloading the update or using the combo updater.

Poor performance Some users have reported sluggish performance, generally stemming from spiking processor usage generated by specific processes, after the update to Mac OS X 10.5.4.

MacFixIt reader Bob Wartell writes:

"After using Software Update to install Mac OS X 10.5.4, the MacBook Pro hung, and would not reboot automatically. I had to use the Power button to shut down and restart the computer. After restarting, the computer seemed very slow. I ran Activity Monitor and found that SyncServer was listed in red as not responding. It was using variable amounts of CPU time ranging from 40% to 95%. FP-Injector was also marked as non-responsive, and was using variable amounts of CPU time up to 96%.

"I rebooted, and rechecked Activity Monitor. SyncServer was not responding, and FP-Injector was running normally, but both were still gobbling up most of the CPU time. Eventually, FP-Injector stopped responding, and the another joined in, SystemUIServer stopped responding."

The fix in Bob's case? Something MacFixIt recommends from the get-go when approaching a new system update: use of the standalone installer available from Apple's download page instead of Software Update.

Bob followed up:

"I decided to reinstall using a standalone installer. I downloaded and installed the 10.5.4 combo updater. After rebooting, Activity Monitor showed all was well. FP-Injector running with 0.0 CPU, SyncServer running with 0.0 CPU, SystemUIServer running with 0.0 CPU. The computer speed felt like it did before I first installed 10.5.4 using Software Update."

AirPort will not connect to preferred network Users report persistence of an issue that cropped up under Mac OS X 10.5.3 in which AirPort will not connect to preferred networks.

One reader writes:

"I'm experiencing exactly the same problem as described here, since updating to 10.5.3, and still after updating to 10.5.4 Tried all the suggested solutions, including updating the firmware on my router. Problem still persists and always requires manual connection of any preferred encrypted network"

Another reader adds: