Mac OS X 10.4.4 (#5): Problems with iChat AV; Wake-from-sleep issues; Loss of internal speakers; more
Mac OS X 10.4.4 (#5): Problems with iChat AV; Wake-from-sleep issues; Loss of internal speakers; more
Problems with iChat AV -- re-installing combo updater can fix Several users have reported issues with iChat AV -- both launching the application and initiating video chats -- since applying the Mac OS X 10.4.4 update.
One reader writes:
"I have been unable to take part in a video chat since Mac OS X 10.4.4 has been installed. The iSight camera works in the preview of iChat AV. The iSight camera also works for iMovie HD. Audio and text chat works. My camera is seen in my correspondent buddy list."
In many cases where iChat AV fails to launch after the update, re-applying the Mac OS X 10.4.4 Combo Updater has proven successful.
In instances where video chat fails to operate, you may want to check for interference from other FireWire devices as noted in this tutorial.
Wake-from-sleep issues A few readers have reported a recurrence of wake-from-sleep issues after the update to Mac OS X 10.4.4
Andrew Springer writes:
"Since updating to Mac OS X 10.4.4 I have noticed that on the last three occasions I could not wake the system fully. As usual, you press the power key, and the display wakes up, but you do not see the progress bars across the bottom of the screen indicating waking from deep sleep. Once awake, the system does not respond to either the keyboard or trackpad, equally, it does not respond to an external keyboard or mouse. It does respond to pressing the power key with the usual 'Restart, Sleep, Cancel, Shutdown' buttons, but you can't use them, because (yes you guessed it!), the keyboard and trackpad don't work."
Users having these issues may want to try some of the suggestions listed in this tutorial -- particularly disconnecting from networks before entering sleep mode, and deleting the following files:
- /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.PowerManagement.plist
- /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.AutoWake.plist
- ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.systemuiserver.plist
More on Active Directory password problems Yesterday we reported on an issue where users had problems changing the password for Active Directory services under Mac OS X 10.4.4.
Some users are also reporting issues with clients logging in. A poster to Apple's Discussion boards, Jeffrey Murphy, reports a similar issue, writing:
"Users from my active directory try to create a new weblog on my 10.4.4 OS X Server (bound to active directory), the receive the following error: 'The username or password you entered is incorrect.'
We've also seen issues with Active Directory and all versions of Mac OS X 10.4.x, where when "bound" to a Windows domain, sending print jobs to connected printers fails. Printer Setup Utility shows all the available printers, but when sending a job, the user is given the error "unable to connect to SAMBA host, will retry in 60 seconds", along with "Connection failed with error "NT_STATUS_NO_MEMORY."
If you are having any issues with Active Directory connections under Mac OS X 10.4.x, please let us know.
Another fix for Software Update issues Yesterday we reported on some problems with using Software Update under Mac OS X 10.4.4 along with several potential solutions.
MacFixIt reader Rod Yager offers a new unconventional workaround -- engaging in a DNS session immediately before attempting to run Software Update -- possibly averting a timeout issue.
Rod writes:
"I had a similar problem while on holidays last week with Software Update. The issue seemed to be related to the length of time required for DNS resolution and is probably a time-out issue. The internet connection provided at my accommodation was quite slow at obtaining a DHCP address and at resolving addresses. I experienced the same symptoms as Edward if I had not used my internet connection for some time, but I could make Software Update work by downloading a random page in Safari immediately before asking Software Update to check for available updates. Now that I am home, and on a network where DNS resolution is quite fast, the problem has disappeared completely."
Problems with passwords -- make sure special characters aren't at fault If you are having problems with network passwords (especially when connecting to Windows shares) after updating to Mac OS X 10.4.4, make sure that errant special characters aren't at fault.
MacFixIt reader Nigel Perry writes:
"Trying to enable Windows sharing now brings up a dialog requiring each user to be enabled and their password given. Trying this produced invalid password errors despite the passwords being correct. I tracked the problem to there being an "unacceptable" character, which I cannot precisely define but in this case was an underscore ('_'), in the password.
Workaround: First change user's password to something quick'n'easy - I chose "fred". Enable Windows sharing for user Change password back to their real one. Confirm they can mount files from Windows."
Loss of internal speakers Several readers report loss of internet speaker capabilities after the update to Mac OS X 10.4.4.
MacFixIt reader Fernando Teixeira writes:
"I recently installed the Mac OS X 10.4.4 update and Battery Firmware upgrade, somehow lost my internal speakers. They disappeared as an option from my list of output devices, the only one there is the headphone jack. Lots of PowerBook users are having the same problem."
This issue can sometimes be resolved by opening the Audio MIDI Setup application (located in Applications/Utilities) and changing the output setting to 44 KHz (44100.0 Hz)
If you are experiencing a similar issue, please let us know.
Problems with Animated GIFs Some users report problems with playing animated GIFs after the update to Mac OS X 10.4.4. If you are having a similar issue, please write us at late-breakers@macfixit.com.
Previous coverage:
- Mac OS X 10.4.4 (#4): Fix for memory not being recognized; Kernel panics caused by USB devices; Mail.app crashes; Third-party apps; more
- Mac OS X 10.4.4 (#3): Sound output problems; MySQL broken, fix; A MacFixIt upgrade procedure success story; more
- Mac OS X 10.4.4 (#2): Upgrade procedure recommendation; General purpose workarounds; RAM problems; more
- Apple releases Mac OS X 10.4.4 and Mac OS X 10.4.4 Server
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