Mac OS X 10.4.10 (#4): Audio pops: explanation, workaround and fix; more

A definitive fix for the audio "popping" issue and more.

CNET staff

Sept. 2, 2009 1:38 a.m. PT

3 min read

[Published Monday, June 25th]

Audio pops: explanation, workaround and fix By far the most frustrating, if not the most dire issue after applying Mac OS X 10.4.10 is a repeated "popping" noise (every few minutes, or seconds in some cases) emanated from internal or external speakers on some systems. We previously postulated that this issue may be caused by a component of the internal audio hardware switching on and off -- perhaps a new power-saving feature introduced in Mac OS X 10.4.10.

As such, one potential workaround, albeit kludgy, for this issue is to simply keep an audio process running with non-existent volume at all times. For instance, you could persistently play music in iTunes with the volume slider in the application turned all the way down.

The definitive fix, however, is to revert the kernel extension /System/Library/Extensions/AppleHDA.kext to the version included with Mac OS X 10.4.9, via this process:

Download the appropriate Mac OS X 10.4.9 combo updater from Apple's download page.
Download and install the shareware application Pacifist
Drag the Mac OS X combo installer package (e.g. MacOSXUpd10.4.9Intel.pkg) onto the Pacifist application icon.
Click the disclosure triangles next to System, then Library then Extensions and find the file AppleHDA.kext.
Select the file AppleHDA.kext and click the Install button in Pacifist. You will be required to enter your administrator password.
Go back to the Mac OS X Finder and navigate to /System/Library. Drag the file Extensions.kextcache to the Trash. You will be required to enter your administrator password.
Restart your Mac

Note that since you will be mixing and matching system components, could cause compatibility problems. Consequently, this should be used only as a last resort.

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

Problems starting up Some users are reporting problems starting up after applying Mac OS X 10.4.10, either with kernel panics at boot, endles spinning progress indicators or complete stalls.

As we've stressed numerous times, the first startup after installing an incremental Mac OS X update can be extraordinarily long -- up to 10 minutes in some cases. Allow a generous portion of time before concluding that your startup process has actually stalled indefinitely on the first restart after updating. If indeed the stall is permanent (you've waited 15 minutes or more), your first course of action should be to attempt startup in safe mode (hold the "shift" key while your Mac is booting), then follow the procedures outline in our tutorial "Startup fails (particularly after a system or security update); solving"

To help prevent this issue, make sure to follow the procedure outlined in our upgrade recommendations -- particularly avoiding performing other operations while the Mac OS X update process is taking place.

System crashes with intense video apps Users of specific Macs have reported complete system crashes when using video-intensive applications after updating to Mac OS X 10.4.10.

MacFixIt reader Rimsky writs:

"I experienced abrupt reboots (crashes) when playing video intensive games like Second Life and Quake 4 (demo) on my Mac mini Intel core duo after updating to 10.4.10. I was lucky to have a full backup with 10.4.9. The issues were gone after restoring my 10.4.9 backup. The other problem I also had with 10.4.10 was that I lost audio input from my Quickcam fussion usb webcam. 10.4.9 introduced support for some usb webcams. Audio input from the quickcam came back after returning to 10.4.9."

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

FireWire device problems A number of users are reporting FireWire device issues (lack of recognition, funcitonality lost) under Mac OS X 10.4.10.

One reader writes: