Mac OS X 10.4.7 (#4): More on re-released Intel version; Continuing problems logging into sites with Safari 2.0.4; more

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Yet another instance of problems caused by devices connected during update We've repeatedly stated that users should disconnect all non-critical external devices before applying iterative Mac OS X updates.

MacFixIt reader Jeff Smith reports a prime example of why devices shouldn't be connected during the update process:

"Wanted to let you all know that i've tried different combinations of upgrading my MacBook Pro to Mac OS X 10.4.7 and I'm getting similar problems using both the old delta (through Software Update) and combo updaters.  It appears at this point if you upgrade with an external display connected the install won't complete after the reboot and you will have video issues/machine freezes anywhere from during boot to 5-10 minutes after boot up. Installing the combo update without the display connected seemed to work although I have not reconnected my external 23" Apple Cinema Display since doing the successful combo update this morning."

So again, disconnect any FireWire/USB devices, secondary displays, etc. before applying Mac OS X 10.4.7 (except for your startup drive, if it is FireWire or USB, and your keyboard/mouse), then re-connect the devices one by one (checking for issues created by any particular device) after the update process is complete and the system has restarted.

Printing issues Several users have reported printing issues apparent after the update to Mac OS X 10.4.7.

MacFixIt reader John Clark writes:

"Since the upgrade to Mac OS X 10.4.7, Epson Printer Utility no longer works. Have done: Delete prefs for Epson, Complete reinstall of printer driver from epson. Printer Utility opens, then immediately quits."

In some cases, these issues can be resolved with the use of Printer Setup Repair.

In other cases, they cannot. MacFixIt reader Graham Hindley writes:

"Lost all printers - every attempt to add printers results in error dialogue box: "An error occurred while trying to add the selected printer; server-error-service-unavailable."

"Resetting printing services and Printer Setup Repair 5.0.4 so far fail to solve the problem. Exactly the same problem occurred after updating from Mac OS X 10.3.9 to 10.4.3, trouble is, I cannot remember what steps I took to solve it."

Safari crashes on some Web sites -- potential fixes We've received scattered reports of Safari crashing when attempting to access certain Web sites under Mac OS X 10.4.7 (Safari 2.0.4).

MacFixIt reader Jim Sullivan writes:

"Seems my 10.4.7 Safari crashes every time loading the cnn.com website home page."

In some cases, this problem can be solved by simply emptying the cache (Safari menu > Empty Cache). In other cases, the solution is to open Safari's preferences, then click on the Security tab, then "Show cookies" and deleting all cookies.

Finally, some users have found success with deleting the file com.apple.Safari.plist from ~/Library/Preferences.

Problems caused by third-party displays MacFixIt reader Ed Lau notes an odd case where the orientation of his third-party display was causing repeated freezes on an Intel-based iMac under Mac OS x 10.4.7.

Ed writes:

"I was experiencing reproducible freezes on my 20" Intel iMac soon after installing 10.4.7. After reading your article, I was disappointed to learn that I already had the newer update. My system: Intel Core Duo iMac (20"); Dell 2005FPW widescreen monitor (dual display mode, Dell in portrait orientation).

"On my system, I can consistently reproduce the freeze by doing either one of the following: Start the screen saver; Open System Preferences, go to Desktop and Screen Saver, click on Screen Saver, drag the window from the primary screen to the external screen. Result: Mac will freeze as soon screen saver preview appears on external screen

"Fortunately, I found the culprit! Switching the Dell from portrait to landscape (standard orientation) fixed the problem. It's inconvenient for me, but I'm leaving the Dell in landscape mode as a workaround. I'm awaiting another update from Apple."

Cellular data modems now supported As noted by MacFixIt reader Brian, Mac OS X 10.4.7 supports various new PC Card cellular access devices.

"The 10.4.7 Update supports New Verizon and Cingular PC Card Cellular Data Modems. After updating Mac OS X in my PowerBook G3 FW2000 to 10.4.7, my Cingular Novatel U730 PC card was immediately recognized and instantly supported with a variety of features. Up to now, I had hacked a kext extension file in System Library folder to recognize this card in a clumsy way. Now, I see when I have 3G service, and I see a wealth of information regarding my card and my connection. This support had been provided only for the Verizon 5220 PC card in previous releases. Here is a list of the cards that are now fully supported by MacOSX: Novatel U730 (2 revisions), Novatel U740, Sierra Wireless 580 (not the 850), Verizon 5220 and Verizon 620.

"This provides 15" and 17" PPC PowerBook Pro users with seamless and fully Mac OS X-supported EVDO service from Verizon and HSDPA service from Cingular without hacks and patches and other workarounds."

More on re-released Intel version As we noted yesterday, Apple has released a revised version of the Mac OS X 10.4.7 updater for Intel-based Macs due to the omission of some files related to OpenGL performance.

The omission only affected the delta (smaller, version-to-version) update, with the combo updater apparently carrying the OpenGL-related files all along. In other words, if you initially applied the combo updater, you do not need to download any additional files.

We also noted a method for determining whether a Mac OS X 10.4.7 for Intel disk image is the newer revised version, or the older incomplete version. The process involves inspecting the disk image checksum.

However, if you applied Mac OS X 10.4.7 through Software Update, the process for checking whether you have the newer or older version is not as clear.

It appears that Apple made the revision at around 1:30 PST yesterday (June 29th), so if you applied the updater prior to that time, you should re-apply the delta or combo updater to make sure you have the new files.

Continuing problems logging into sites with Safari 2.0.4 Users continue to report issues with logging into some Web sites using the new edition of Safari (2.0.4) included with Mac OS X 10.4.7.

MacFixIt reader Trevor Hutley writes:

"Since applying the 10.4.7 (Combo) update, which installed Safari 2.0.4, I am not able to log-on to my E*trade account, which I have been doing almost daily for more than 5 years.

"In the midst of entering my username/password, the page redirects to an 'open a new account page.' This problem seems almost insoluble with Safari. With Firefox 1.503, there is no problem at all."

Some users with peripheral-caused sleep issues reverting to Mac OS X 10.4.6 As we previously noted, certain peripherals (USB, FireWire, PCI, SCSI, etc.) can prevent proper sleep routines after the update to Mac OS X 10.4.7. Removing the offending device usually solves the issue.

However, some users with critical devices that cause problems under Mac OS X 10.4.7 are choosing to revert to Mac OS X 10.4.6 in order to retain functionality.

MacFixIt reader Thomas writes:

"I think I have found the culprit why my Power Mac G4 MDD 1,25 GHz (SP) does freeze when going to sleep after the update to 10.4.7 as reported yesterday: it is the Belkin F5U005 USB 2 card. Connected to the card are the hub of my monitor (Eizo FlexScan L778), which is connected to a Griffin iMic, and a HP DeskJet 990C. I use the hub of the monitor also to connect my digital camera and my iPod Shuffle when needed. Never had problems with this configuration before. Now I am back to 10.4.6."

Instructions for reverting to an earlier version of Mac OS X can be found in this tutorial.

iSync issues Some users are reporting that devices are no longer properly synchronizing through iSync after updating to Mac OS X 10.4.7.

James Reid writes:

"I installed the updates that were released when Mac OS X 10.4.7 came out and found out today that iCal has not been syncing with my palm using Missing Sync ever since. When I pull up the settings in missing sync for the Mark/Space Events and Mark/Space Tasks, I noticed that the calendars in the 'Synchronize events from calendars:' are blank."

If you are experiencing a similar issue, please let us know.

Continuing Bluetooth problems Yesterday we noted Bluetooth connectivity problems (devices not recognized) in conjunction with Mac OS X 10.4.7 (not uncommon with iterative Mac OS X updates) and several workarounds.

We've now received reports from some readers indicating erratic behavior from Bluetooth devices.

MacFixIt reader Brandon Meixel writes:

"I have noticed that since installing Mac OS X 10.4.7 that my apple bluetooth keyboard is no longer working properly. For example, when i press the "j" key, "8" will appear, and even worse, one keypress will register as three, four, five, or more of the same key - example: evvvvverything. No amount of permission repairing, restarting, or re-pairing the device fixes the issue so far.  I have been forced to proofread and edit everything i type much more than usual."

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

Previous coverage:

• Mac OS X 10.4.7 for Intel re-released; now posted -- how to determine if you have the old or new version
• Mac OS X 10.4.7 (#3): AirPort connectivity issues -- fixes; Periphery devices can prevent proper sleep; Safari site access/login problems; more
• Mac OS X 10.4.7 (#2): External drives not recognized -- fixes; Dangers of working while update is taking place; Mail.app problems, fixes; more
• Mac OS X 10.4.7 released in PowerPC and Intel versions; Update recommendations

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