Mac OS X 10.3.6 Update (#6): File name truncation; audio distortion; DVD drive compatibility; slow startup times; more

File name truncation We continue to receive a significant amount of reader mail confirming file names being truncated when copying files, especially when copying to/from a remote volume. (We should point out that this issue is different from the problem where files saved from within applications that do not support OS X long filenames -- such as Microsoft Office v.X apps -- get truncated.) In some cases, opening documents over AFP (File Sharing) connections results in the documents being duplicated on the remote volume with the duplicate files having truncated file names. As Gil Frith describes the problem:

"We are having this problem too using AFP. It is particularly acute with MS Word which as a law office we use a lot...We are also more vulnerable because we have been using long file names in Word so its a bug that bites us everytime we open an old file with a long file and name then close and save, voila! its been duplicated and truncated."

Christian Gerritzen provides another good description:

"I have a mini network consisting of only a headless Blue & White Power Mac G3 with [Personal File Sharing enabled] and a 700 MHz G4 iMac, which controls the Power Mac via Apple Remote Desktop 1.2. (Connection via Router.) When I connect to the Power Mac using the "Connect to Server" command and have a window of the Power Mac "server" open on my iMac screen, I see exactly the same phenomenon described by other users lately. When I switch file sharing off and on again the problem seems to disappear temporarily. Restarting also helps, but the problem keeps coming back. The file names look as if a file with a long, OS X-type name were copied to a Mac running OS 9."

Oliver von Quadt notes that the issue doesn't appear to be limited to particular applications, but is especially prevalent in Word 2004 (which, unlike Word v.X, supports long filenames): "We have this problem on 10.3.6 (client & Server) with almost every app we use (mostly Word 2004, Quark 6.1). In Word, just opening the file is enough [for it's name to get] truncated."

Finally, confirming the more general copying issue we posted on Wednesday, Nick Farwell reports that it happens even when simply copying files over a network -- it's not necessary to open files from within an application.

The obvious workaround for this issue is to use filenames of 32 or fewer characters; however, we'll continue to monitor this issue in hopes of narrowing down the specifics.

Some variation of problem existed prior to 10.3.6 A number of readers have written us with reports that this AFP/File Sharing problem existed for them prior to installing the 10.3.6 Update. For example, Bill Innannen notes that he's seen the problem for some time -- it affects AFP sharing but not SMB (Windows File Sharing):

"I've had the file truncation problem for some time, probably predating the original 10.3 release. For me the problem occurs when accessing files via AFP from Windows or UNIX machines. My solution has been to mount these files via SMB. With Samba, the problem has not occurred for me."

Gary Jaffe reports that he's seen the problem before 10.3.6 when creating PDF files on a remote volume from within OS X. And Angus Hume notes that InDesign supports long filename except when creating PDF files:

"The truncated file issue has existed for us for some time under OS X versions earlier than 10.3.6. InDesign supports long names except when saving as a PDF. Long PDF names are truncated when saving to our Xserve, but 2 files are created, one has the long name, [is 0k in size], and is unopenable, the second PDF [has a truncated name] but is otherwise fine. I usually just copy and paste the correct name and remove the dud file. However, If you redo the PDF to replace the existing PDF, InDesign recognises that the truncated name is the same as the long name, or if the long name version is corrected as above it will replace the long name version with the truncated version without creating the secondary dud file (with the full name). We are using 10.3.5 in an Xserve and AFP Services. I just checked saving a PDF from InDesign to my local volume at home and the long name is correct. We have similar issues with FreeHand (all file types)"

Other issues We also continue to monitor other, less widespread, issues reported by readers since applying the Update:

Audio distortion with external speakers We've covered a few reports of audio issues with OS X 10.3.6. For example, Jim Vance writes that the audio on his Dual Power Mac G4 (Mirrored Drive Doors) is distorted until he unplugs and reconnects his external speakers. And Judson Maynard notes a possible issue with audio recording apps:

"I updated to the latest 10.3.6 a couple of days ago, then yesterday got to trying to do some audio recording using Metro LE 6.2.1 and 6.2.2; neither one would work. For that matter none of the other programs I have for recording would work either. I have used Metro (and others) many times in the past with good success."

Incompatibility with non-Apple DVD drives Reader John Howell's third-party DVD drive no longer functions under 10.3.6: "When I installed the update my non apple DVD drives stopped working. Tried to reinstall with PatchBurn 3.0 but it would not work."

Modem connectivity issues Errol Larkan has had modem connectivity issues that were fixed by reverting to an older version of OS X 10.3:

"After upgrading to 10.3.6 on my B&W G3 with a 500MHZ Sonnet G4 Zif I am unable to make a net connection I get connecting then disconnecting really quickly and an error message saying to check my modem settings. Only reinstalling Panther up to 10.3,4 got all back to normal. Have a second hard drive that I can test stuff out on so all works fine upgrade to 10.3.6 and no connection"

Slow PowerBook startup times Paul Gary writes that his PowerBook takes longer to start up under 10.3.6:

"I have a Powerbook G4 17" 1Ghz with 1GB of RAM. Under 10.3.5, the startup time was usually between 30 to 45 seconds. In 10.3.6, the startup time is well over two minutes! Despite permissions fixed and startup items removed, it continued to load the system very slowly, with the ever-present beach ball churning. Removing 10.3.6, Archive and Installing the base OSX Panther and updating with the 10.3.5 Combo Updater has returned boot times around 30 seconds."

Font problems Reader Dave Alexander reports font-related issues:

"Since upgrading to Mac OS X 10.3.6 [on an Al PowerBook G4, 1.25Ghz with 512mb RAM], I have been experiencing font problems in Safari and in Mail where I get gobbledygook instead of [readable] text. I have repaired permissions and restarted several times but to no avail. Curiously IE5 and other non-apple apps don't seem to be affected and it is only on some sites that Safari is affected."

What are your experiences with the Update? Drop us an email at Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

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