Mac OS X 10.3.8 Special Report: Release Notes, Download Links

Mac OS X 10.3.8 was released February 9th, in both standard and server versions. The update is available via Software Update and a series of standalone downloads from Apple's Web site.

Among the listed enhancements:

• Addresses an issue with Mac OS X 10.3.7 in which iChat, Mail, or other network-based applications could take a long time to open.
• Addresses an issue in which a computer wouldn't always restart automatically after a power failure, even when the Energy Saver preference option "Restart automatically after a power failure" was selected.
• Improves the performance of Blizzard World of Warcraft's "Full Screen Glow" video feature.
• Improves DVD Player compatibility when playing a movie (using certain ATI Radeon cards) to an external widescreen TV with a 16:9 aspect ratio.
• Resolves an issue in which a "flicker" could be seen when navigating DVD menus in DVD Player on certain PowerBook G4 computers.
• Addresses an issue in which a PowerBook G4 computer would, on rare occasion, wake from sleep with a black screen and not respond to any keyboard, mouse, or trackpad input.
• Addresses "jumping cursor" issues that might occur when using your portable computer's trackpad with your thumb, side of thumb, or a "flat" finger.
• Resolves an issue on certain Power Mac G5 computers where a fan cycles erratically at unexpected times, such as when Seti@home software is running.
• Speeds up Address Book and Mail LDAP lookups that are performed by a Cisco DistributedDirector DNS server.
• Addresses an issue that could prevent clients using the Active Directory plugin from binding to their Active Directory server.

Key updates for the standard version include:

• improved OpenGL technology and updated ATI and NVIDIA graphics drivers
• improved file sharing and directory services for mixed Mac and PC networks
• improved compatibility for third party applications and devices
• previous standalone security updates

Key updates for the server edition include:

• improved reliability of Open Directory replication and PDC authentication
• more reliable binding to Active Directory domains
• improved compatibility for third party applications and devices
• previous standalone security updates

As usual, we recommend the following procedure when applying a system Update:

• Make sure your hard drive is in good shape: Boot from the OS X Install CD and run Disk Utility's Repair Disk function (or use a third-party drive utility such as DiskWarrior or TechTool Pro).
• When booted from the volume containing Mac OS X, run Disk Utility's Repair Disk Permissions function.
• Install the update.
• After rebooting, again run Repair Disk Permissions.

Download Links:

• Mac OS X Update 10.3.8 [27.7MB]
• Mac OS X Update 10.3.8 (Combo) [103MB]
• Mac OS X Server Update 10.3.8 [27MB]
• Mac OS X Server Update 10.3.8 (Combo) [125MB]

Topic Index:

• Release Notes, Download Links
• Disappearing hard drive space
• Wake from Sleep Issues
• Audio problems
• Safari World Leaks
• Excessive sensitivity in automatic screen brightness feature on PowerBooks
• Routers and slow network performance
• Printer problems, solutions
• Displays pane of System Preferences not working
• Clearing font caches for faster startup
• iBook G4 F12 key not working
• Trackpad problems
• Problems with third-party mice
• Slow iChat operation
• Problems with Java
• Increased G5 fan activity
• FireWire warning only provided for Combo update
• Moving Apple's installed applications prevents them from being updated
• Problems installing via Software Update
• Bluetooth Issues
• Positive reports

Resources