Security Update 2006-003 Special Report: Unintended attempted network boots (flashing globe at startup)

On numerous occasions, we've reported on an issue where users are presented with a "flashing globe" at startup, disallowing the boot procedure to continue. Several readers have now reported this behavior after applying Security update 2006-003.

MacFixIt reader Tony writes:

"Startup problems after Security update have been cured on my dual G5 by  unplugging the ethernet cable and reselecting the 'Startup Disk' from 'System  Preferences'. The initial display of a world globe icon on startup led me to  assume that the network connection was targeting my local network for the  startup volume. A further visual clue of a flashing question mark icon several  seconds after the internet connection was dropped indicated that a startup  volume was missing. The disconnecting of the ethernet cable was crucial in  my instance as the boot period was so long that the fans in my G5 were  continuously running at a rate that I have not previously experienced. I have  not had to move any items from the Startup folders so far as suggested by  other users."

As alluded by Tony, if this icon appears, it means that the system is attempting to NetBoot (startup from a remote volume), is failing doing so, and for some reason is not automatically moving to your valid Mac OS X installation.

If simply disconnecting your Ethernet cable at startup does not resolve the issue, try holding down the option key at startup to select the boot volume. If you are still having problems, press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys during startup until you hear two beeps or another startup chime.

Index:

• Active Directory issues
• FireWire problems -- Devices won't mount, etc.
• LiveUpdate (Symantec) not working -- fix on the way
• Overall System slow-down
• PDF files: Problems printing
• Release notes/update recommendations
• Removing the update
• SCSI drives not recognized
• Startup stalls/freezes after updating -- fixes
• Unintended attempted network boots (flashing globe at startup)
• UnRarX causing freezes
• Various third party application freezes

Resources