Mac OS X 10.4.10 Special Report: USB issues (serious), fixes

CNET staff

Sept. 2, 2009 1:40 a.m. PT

4 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
IOUSBMassStorageClass.kext
IOHIDFamily.kext

Specific instructions:

Download the appropriate version of the Mac OS X 10.4.9 and Mac OS X 10.4.8 combo updaters for your system (more on why later) from Apple's download page, but do not install either.
Download and install the shareware application Pacifist
Drag the Mac OS X 10.4.9 installer package onto the Pacifist application icon.
Click the triangle next to "System" to expand it
Click the triangle next to "Library" to expand it
Click the triangle next to "Extensions" to expand it
Scroll down and find the file IOUSBMassStorageClass.kext. Click the Install button in Pacifist and enter your administrator password.
Find the file IOHIDFamily.kext. Click the Install button in Pacifist and enter your administrator password.
Find the file IOUSBFamily.kext. Click the Install button in Pacifist and enter your administrator password.
Restart your Mac and check for resolution of the issues. If the problem still exists, repeat the steps, but use files from the Mac OS X 10.4.8 combo updater.

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.

Reader reports

One MacFixIt reader writes:

"Ever since installing the 10.4.10 update on my first generation MacBook my USB 2.0 Mercury Elite Hard Drive from Other World Computing will not mount. The drive was working perfectly before the update and now won't mount at all. I can however see the drive under the USB tab of Apple System Profiler it shows up as 'Macpower USB2.0A 3.5" HDD.' I can't get it to mount with either Disk Utility or DiskWarrior.

"I've done all the basics including restarting, repairing disk permissions, running all my cron scripts (using Cocktail), swapping out the USB cable, swapped ports, tried it with and without a hub. I've plugged in a different USB drive and it works fine so I know it's not an issue with the port. , and I even reinstalled the 10.4.10 combo updater. The only thing I can figure is it's an issue with the 10.4.10 update."

Another reader adds:

"After downloading and installing the update Mac OS X 10.4.10 intel version I can no longer address my external backup USB hard disk. Hardware system profile find the usb 2.0 storage device, but I can't see it on my desktop or with the disk utility program. I have a similar usb disk which I have tried with with the same result. The Usb hard disk is of the type Amitech. I have tried with another USB cable, same result. It worked fine with Mac OS X 10.4.9."

Other successful fixes for these issues

Fixes

Get the update off your Mac Use our tutorial on reinstalling Mac OS X to get Mac OS X 10.4.10 off your Mac and revert to an earlier system state. Note that since many USB issues also occurred with Security Update 2007-005, you may want to abstain from that update and stay at a vanilla copy of Mac OS X 10.4.9.

Update USB device firmware Outdated firmware or drivers may be precluding recognition for some devices. Try checking your device manufacturer's Web site for the latest downloads.

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