X

Mac OS X 10.4.10 (#8): Followup on USB problems

Summary of earlier suggestions, along with a new one: try USB Prober.

CNET staff
2 min read

Of the problems reported with the System Update to 10.4.10, loss of USB functionality remains one of the most pervasive.

The sense we are getting from user reports is that reverting to 10.4.9 is a strong candidate as a solid, nearly certain fix. Don't rule it out. We published instructions on reinstalling the system earlier; use the combo updater (PPC or Intel) to arrive back at 10.4.9, and stay there.

Another possibility, if you really don't want to reinstall the system, is to install earlier versions (from the 10.4.9 combo updater package, using Pacifist) of these files:

IOUSBFamily.kext<br />
IOUSBMassStorageClass.kext<br />
IOHIDFamily.kext<br />

That approach is actually riskier, because you are proposing to "mix and match" kernel extensions from different systems, but it has been reported as successful. Remember to delete kernel caches and restart afterwards.

One additional suggestion has recently been mooted: you might try running USB Prober. It is located in /Developer/Applications/Utilities, provided you have installed the Xcode developer tools. (These are probably present on your Tiger installer DVD, if you have one, but the best way to obtain them, if you have a broadband Internet connection, is to go to http://developer.apple.com, join the Apple Developer Connection as a free online member, and log in to obtain the most recent Xcode tools installer as a 1GB download.) Apparently, just running USB Prober does some sort of USB reset that can "wake up" unresponsive USB ports.

Please also refer back to our original notice of the 10.4.10 update, with extensive recommendations on how to install.

Previous coverage:

Resources

  • loss of USB functionality
  • instructions on reinstalli...
  • PPC
  • Intel
  • Pacifist
  • http://developer.apple.com
  • original notice
  • Mac OS X 10.4.10 (#7): USB...
  • Mac OS X 10.4.10 (#6): Var...
  • Mac OS X 10.4.10 (#5): Wir...
  • Mac OS X 10.4.10 (#4): Aud...
  • Mac OS X 10.4.10 (#3): Imp...
  • Mac OS X 10.4.10 (#2): Aud...
  • Mac OS X 10.4.10 released:...
  • More from Late-Breakers