Mac OS X 10.3.6 Special Report: Release Notes

The Mac OS X 10.3.6 Update is for both the client and Server versions of OS X 10.3. There are both "Delta" (release-to-release, e.g. 10.3.5 to 10.3.6) and "Combo" versions (universal, e.g. 10.3.4 to 10.3.6):

• Delta version for OS X client (14MB)
• Combo version for OS X client (92 MB)
• Delta version for OS X Server (42 MB)
• Combo version for OS X Server (118 MB)

According to Apple, the OS X client versions of the Update offers the following improvements:

The 10.3.6 Update delivers enhanced functionality and improved reliability for Mac OS X v10.3 "Panther" and is recommended for all users. Key enhancements include:

• improved file sharing for Mac (AFP), UNIX (NFS) and PC (SMB/CIFS) networks
• more reliable network automounts and launch of network applications
• improved OpenGL technology and updated ATI and NVIDIA graphic drivers
• additional FireWire audio and USB device compatibility
• updated Calculator, DVD Player, Image Capture, and Safari applications
• improved compatibility for third party applications
• previous standalone security updates

Detailed information on the client version of the Update can be found here.

The Server version of the update is described by the following:

The 10.3.6 Server Update delivers enhanced functionality and improved reliability for Mac OS X Server v10.3 and is recommended for all systems. Key enhancements include:

• improved performance and reliability of AFP, CIFS and NFS file services
• more reliable network automounts and application launching from /Network/Applications/
• improved interoperability with Active Directory and compatibility with the latest Windows clients
• more reliable SMTP authentication when using CRAM-MD5
• added Fibre Channel Utility application and improved Fibre Channel reliability and performance
• additional support for third party Fibre Channel storage devices
• previous standalone security updates.

Detailed information on the Server version of the Update can be found here.

Here is a list of the changes noted:

Internet and .Mac

• Resovles an issue in which Safari might not load webpages correctly when the hard drive name included a non-ASCII character such as a symbol, diacritical, or two-byte character.
• Safari no longer times out after 60 seconds when attempting to connect to a webpage or to submit form data. With this update, Safari will keep trying indefinitely (or until you cancel the attempt).
• With this update, a synchronized iDisk correctly resizes .Mac storage after its allocation changes.
• Addresses a kernel panic issue that could occur when using an external, wireless USB broadband modem with Mac OS X 10.3.5.

Networking

• Improves AFP service performance.
• Addresses a situation in which a file name change that occurred on a server while a client was running Terminal resulted in the client Terminal's failure to recognize the change.
• Addresses an issue that could prevent login via a network user account.
• Resolves an issue for Mac OS X 10.3.5 in which, sometimes, network-based applications could not open an application from an automounted AFP volume, such as /Network/Applications/.
• SMB/CIFS servers in /Network no longer suddenly disappear and reappear after the network changes.

Applications

• Addresses an issue that could occur when using some scholastic information management applications with Mac OS X 10.3.5; this alert could appear: "Another module has 'locked' the MS Tx file. You will gain access when their task is completed."
• Addresses an issue in which "zooming" in Halo 1.0.5 could lead to blurry video when using certain Nvidia video cards.
• Many calculating and conversion features within Calculator are improved by this update.
• Addresses an issue in which TextEdit could unexpectedly quit when changing text from Euphermia regular to italic.
• Addresses an issue for Mac OS X 10.3.5 in which Final Cut Pro HD 4.5 could unexpectedly quit.

Other

• Improves ColorSync calibrating for Apple Cinema HD Display (23-inch DVI) displays.
• Resolves an issue in which the display could sometimes remain dark when waking from display sleep (the mouse pointer might appear, but normal function could not be restored) if using Screen Saver password on a portable computer.
• Adds WMC connectivity capability for Nokia 7610 phones.
• Addresses an issue for Mac OS X 10.3.5 in which some glyph fonts, certain "Expert" or "dingbat" fonts, would no longer appear in some applications.
• Resolves a situation in which incorrect characters could show up for some fonts.
• Addresses some issues that could cause Classic to unexpectedly quit when starting up.
• This update makes it easier to scroll through a long list of user names in the login window.
• Includes recent Security Updates.

We recommend users take appropriate precautions before installing the update by making sure your boot volume is in good condition and backing up any important files. To increase your chances of a smooth update process, follow these instructions:

1. 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).
2. When booted from the volume containing Mac OS X, run Disk Utility's Repair Disk Permissions function.
3. Install the update.
4. After rebooting, again run Repair Disk Permissions.

Resources

Delta version for OS X cli...

Combo version for OS X cli...

Delta version for OS X Ser...

Combo version for OS X Ser...

here

here

More from Late-Breakers