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Apple releases Mac OS X 10.4.5 in PowerPC, Intel, Server versions
Apple has released Mac OS X 10.4.5 to its Software Update servers.
Mac OS X 10.4.5 includes the following enhancements:
Internet, iDisk, and networking
- Safari no longer quits unexpectedly when deleting AOL mail messages via AOL webmail.
- Apple's IPSec VPN client now works with Cisco servers whether or not NAT is used.
- Addresses an issue in which you could not sync with an iDisk larger than 4 GB.
- Files copied across a network via Portable Home Directories are now copied as temporary files until the transfer is complete, in case the network connection is interrupted before the transfer finished.
- Addresses an issue in which some Epson printers could not successfully print via AirPort Extreme.
Other
- Allows the rotating cube effect to appear as expected on both a primary and a mirrored display, when switching users via Fast User switching.
- Addresses an issue for Mac OS X 10.4.4 in which background columns of text within the RSS Visualizer screen saver are sometimes superimposed over one another.
- Dragging a widget out of the widget bar while the desktop picture is changing (automatically, for example) no longer stops the animation on an Intel-based Mac.
- On an Intel-based Mac, Telestream Flip4Mac now installs correctly.
- Prevents the Setup Assistant from unexpectedly quitting if Kotoeri is selected as the keyboard type following an English language installation of Mac OS X.
- Allows applications that run using Rosetta on an Intel-based Mac to successfully open files that are located via an Open window's "search" field.
- Addresses an issue in which Rosetta-translated applications running on Intel-based Macs would not correctly receive Keychain notifications.
- Console no longer reports a series of "Quartz Composer QuickTime Component" messages for iMovie '06 when applying a Ken Burns clip or image.
- Addresses an issue for iMovie HD and Mac OS X 10.4.4 in which iMovie could unexpectedly quit when switching themes.
- Eliminates some potential video redraw issues when using Front Row on Intel-based Macs.
- Updated the rules for time zones and Daylight Savings Time to conform to changes in the law for the United States, Australia, and other locations, for 2006 and later.
- Addresses a potential issue that could cause the system process "configd" to unexpectedly stall.
- Addresses an issue when viewing streaming media behind a firewall on Intel Macs.
The new release is available in the following versions (with download links) and Software Update:
- Mac OS X Update 10.4.5 (Delta) [16 MB]
- Mac OS X Update 10.4.5 Combo [125 MB]
- Mac OS X Server 10.4.5 (Delta) [14.5 MB]
- Mac OS X Update 10.4.5 for Intel [98 MB]
Again, the update is only currently available through Software Update, though standalone downloads should be available soon.
Upgrade procedure recommendation We recommend the following procedure when installing Mac OS X 10.4.5.
First, avoid performing any other operations (in Mac OS X or third-party applications) while the update process is occurring. In addition, before installing this security update, make sure all Apple-installed applications and utilities are in their original locations. Moving one of these applications to a different location on your hard drive can lead to an incomplete update. Also, disconnect any FireWire/USB devices before applying Mac OS X 10.4.5, then re-connect the devices one by one after the update process is complete and the system has restarted.
If you'd like to take an even more cautious route, use the following process:
- First create a backup of your startup volume.
- Drag the folder com.apple.SoftwareUpdate located in /Library/Caches (the Library folder at the root level of your hard drive) to the trash.
- Download the standalone version of Mac OS X 10.4.5 and save it for later.
- Startup (restart) your Mac using a drive other than your usual startup drive as the boot volume. This can include an eDrive created by TechTool Pro, or better, an external FireWire. Make sure that this drive includes a copy of Disk Utility (which can simply be copied from your normal startup volume).
- Launch Disk Utility from the temporary startup drive. Perform a "Repair Disk" operation on your normal startup drive (which should now appear as another mounted volume in the Finder)
- Again restart, this time booting from your normal startup volume, while holding the "Shift" key to boot in Safe Mode.
- Apply Mac OS X 10.4.5 and restart when prompted, this time without holding the "Shift" key.
As with previous iterative Mac OS X releases, the startup time after first installing Mac OS X 10.4.5 can be inordinately long. Don't panic if you are stuck at the grey progress screen for several minutes after the update. Subsequent restarts should take place at normal speed.
If you are having problems after updating to Mac OS X 10.4.5, please let us know at late-breakers@macfixit.com.
Resources
reconnect and repair again) and everything seems fine :-)
The Delta for me was only 6.4 MB. Whole thing took about 10 mins...
FWIW:
On my iMac G4, applied the stand-alone combo PPC10.4.5 updater. Cannot remember the last time I updated via Software Update. Initially was afraid the combo updater installed the bloated universal binary; not true, thank goodness.
Afterwards did the usual repair perms with no problems. The text document describing what this update did mentioned about 15 or so apps which all got changed (modified=Today), yet only one version number change (Software Update to 2.0.5)
---
Touch the Future ... Teach!
download. The stand alone is for 10.4.4 only. The combo will update any 10.4x
version.
How can you disconnect all USB/Firewire devices and then startup your Mac from an external Firewire drive as recommended in the procedure further below?
Also, what if you have an external Firewire drive with an OS on it that you want to update?
I've seen this mentioned a few times. Am I missing something?
I had no problems updating both an external Firewire drive (while booted from
it), and the internal disk on my Titanium Powerbook G4.
This update was smooth and fast. Startup from Firewire drive was very quick,
from the internal disk it took a bit longer.
You cannot, of course, disconnect an external drive and then boot from it.
You can, however, use Startup Disk to designate that drive/partition as your
boot drive and, before restarting, disconnect any other FireWire devices, like
DVD burners. Once you boot from the external FireWire drive just run the
Combo update as usual, being sure, of course, that the update isn't on one of
the external drives you disconnected.
I usually forget to disconnect FireWire devices from my dual 1 GHz G4 but,
using the Combo update, have never had a problem with FireWire afterwards.
I have had clients, though, who have had problems with the incremental (or
Delta) updates if they failed to disconnect their FireWire drives. The solution
is to apply the Combo update - with devices disconnected. It's amazing how
many problems applying (or reapplying) a Combo update can resolve.
---
Don't anthropomorphize computers.
They hate that.
any other window on my Mac. iChat has NEVER worked properly no
matter what measures I try since the advent of Tiger.
and do the update from SW Update, with a FW drive connected at the time, and
then can't reboot our G5 at all, even after then disconnecting all peripherals...
how do we recover?
I knew I should have stayed in bed today!
Safe mode saves the day... After talking with a very friendly Apple Support guy, I
booted in "Safe Mode" and trashed my /Library/StartupItems and then rebooted
fine. I then started putting stuff I still needed back and rebooting... all is now
good -- the possible culprits (in my case, at least) are VirtualPC, the Wacom
Tablet, DNSUpdate, or Peer Visual Server - since I don't need any of those, I
didn't add them back to test, but without them I'm doing fine.
using Frontrow. Thanks Apple.
Funny thing though. It doesn't mention it in the Release Notes, but does reference it in their KB article http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302978 LOL!!!!!! Guess they didn't want the bad press.
WoooHooo!! Great news. I wonder why this was not in the release notes as
well. This was a very well known issue for a while, and the work around was
basically a joke. Now we can use the audio as intended in this laptop.
My guess is that it probably had something to do with the new optical audio
options. That was the only difference in this version of the laptop (I think).
Glad to see that 10.4.5 has this issue ironed out. I use mine for audio on the
road, and did not have that issue in my older powerbook.
On another note - my 15" laptop, with the 7200 HD, actually seems more
responsive than my 20" iMac (iSight). This powerbook is much, much faster
than my old one. Now I cannot wait to try the Intel version. I will not
upgrade to the Intel version for at least a year, so this current PB is plenty fast
for now.
- Bruce
afterthougt. i only once got bit once on an ibook upgrade with 10.4.4. I had to
do an archive/restore. Not bad for multiple upgrades on various platforms over
the past 4 years.
when running my updates (software Update) and never have a problem. Of
course, my esxternal FW is usually off so maybe that is the key? But I keep my
FW audio (M-Audio FW410) connected and still nev er have a problem. All USB
stuff stays connected as well.
But I am writing to report that after updating to OS X.4.5, iTunes seems to
connect to live streamed broadcasts (where you enter a URL) immediately and
extremely fast to the streamed lists in the iTunes radio window.
programs, Word, Safari, Mail, Skype and others. Menu Meters has been reporing
more free memory since the upgrade and there is a lot less thrashing (heavy
disk activity when changing switching applications).
I am not doing anything different, but the system sure works better. I still need
extra memory. Nothing was in the realease notes, but I am happy about the
improvement.
RonMan
---
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity. - RAH
I have to report this too, as well as significant reduction of CPU use. Prior
to this update my Idle CPU hung around 60 - 70%, now it is around 85%.
I am not using machine any differently.
I have the 1.67 October 2005 with 1.5 gigs of RAM.
Brian
Try disabling any services that you're not currently using. Click on the Apple menu, then System Preferences, then Sharing, then uncheck all services that you don't use frequently. I've noticed that unchecking Windows Sharing alone can sometimes help reduce the processor usage when idle.
Disclaimer: I haven't installed 10.4.5 yet, and there might be other issues causing the problem on your computer, but this tip might help.
Grotsasha,
Just as an FYI - it's always best to do the upgrades with the power cord connected - it's a much safer bet.
HTH - J.
- by MacFixItUser February 15, 2006 7:20 AM PST
- On my Quicksilver, FW has always been a little flakey. For a while (with 10.4.4), I had both my iPod and iSight connect to the CPU simultaneously and directly into the FW ports on the CPU. My experience was that the camera was not always recognized (in iChat) and very frequently, my iPod and iTunes would freeze during updates. It was a mess.
- Like this Reply to this comment
-
Showing 1 of 2 pages (25 Comments)In fooling around with it, I added a powered six-port FW hub. I connected botht the iPod and iSight to the hub. Voila! Everything worked fine.
Now, after installing 10.4.5, I am back to my previous issues -- and this time, the presence of the hub isn't fixing anything.
Any tips on getting FW to place nice?