Security Update 2008-005 (#2): Cannot startup; system issues (cannot drag and drop, etc.); more

Cannot startup Several MacFixIt readers have reported in inability to boot their Macs after installing Security Update 2008-005. Sample reports:

• I installed the security update and now my Macbook Pro will not restart. What can I do!!!
• After installing in my iMac Intel 2.0: after restart = only white screen. I have tried several restarts and hard resets. Only white screen.

If this issue occurs, you should try to boot in Safe Mode -- accomplished by holding down the Shift key while your Mac is starting up. After the safe boot, restart normally. A number of maintenance tasks are performed during the safe boot, and you might not need to perform any additional troubleshooting. You might receive a message indicating that the update has finished installing after performing the safe boot.

Failing the aforementioned, peruse our tutorial titled "Startup fails (particularly after a system or security update); solving." One of the solutions listed there -- including delete specific caches, rooting out problematic kernel extensions, repairing drive damage, and disconnecting external devices -- might prove successful.

As a last resort, you may need to boot from you Mac OS X install disc and reinstall the system, as described in this tutorial.

Systemic issues: cannot drag items, etc. Some users have reported a series of systemic issues after the 2008-005 update, including inability to drag and drop files, inability to write files and more.

MacFixIt rader Peter Row writes:

"After the attempt to install Security Update 2008-005 I was unable to save anything, unable to drag and drop, and sometimes unable to even open the 'File' menu. This persisted across multiple applications (I specifically tried Safari, Preview and TextEdit). I am using a 1.0 GHz Powerbook (Power PC). My wife made the same install on her MacBook Pro (2.6 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo). I verified the disc successfully (Disk Utility), but was unable to Repair Permissions via Disk Utility, it seemed to be unable to read the permissions file. I am currently in the process of attempting to back-off all the data, erase, and re-install. The first attempt at backing off the data resulted in an error (using Disk Utility on a different machine, and with my Powerbook in target disk mode - invalid argument error.)"

Another reader adds:

"For some reason after installing the latest security update I can not drag any icons nm my Intel Mac. 10.5.4"

If you are experiencing a similar issue, try reapplying the most recent Mac OS X combo updater, available from Apple's download page, then reinstalling the Security Update.

Widget issues Some users have reported widget issues after the update. On reader writes:

"Well, it appears that since I've updated my widgets went wiggy. They aren't loading and repairing the permissions hasn't worked."

Screen resolution problems Some users are reporting that system display is adversely affected by Security Update 2008-005. In many cases, simply toggling screen resolution to a different setting, then back to the desired setting can resolve this issue.

One reader writes:

"Since it appeared to be some sort of screen resolution issue, and since I could access the Apple menu, I called up System Preferences and selected the Displays panel. The settings looked normal (1280x800). But when I selected 1152x720, the screen suddenly filled edge-to-edge with a normal desktop (albeit with the 1152x720 resolution). Progress! Then I switched it back to 1280x800, and I had my old desktop back!"

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

Previous coverage:

• Security Update 2008-005 released, closes DNS hole

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