Mac OS X 10.4.6 Special Report: Startup problems -- will not proceed after update, etc.

Some users have noted an issue where Mac OS X startup does not proceed after applying the Mac OS X 10.4.6 update. For some, Mac OS X 10.4.6 installation seems to proceed normally but stalls suddenly and presents an error message indicating that the update was placed in the trash, and the installer should be re-launched from the Finder.

In many cases, this issue is caused by a problem launching the launchd daemon.

The solution for some readers has been to attach the problematic Mac via FireWire to another, properly functioning Mac, and boot the problematic system in target disk mode by holding down the "T" key while it starts up.

You should then download the Mac OS X 10.4.6 combination updater (PowerPC or Intel) on the working Mac and install it on the problematic Mac's hard drive.

Other users have had to resort to an Archive and Install process when this issue manifests.

You may want to also want to try some of the suggestions listed in this tutorial.

In particular, users are having success with booting from their Mac OS X installation disc (by holding the "C" key during startup with the disc inserted), then going to the "Utilities" menu, selecting "Disk Utility" and repairing the startup disk, as well as repairing permissions on the startup disk. This, and other workarounds are contained in the aforementioned tutorial.

Index:

• Release Notes/Download links
• General purpose workarounds
• List of updated Apple applications
• Update process recommendation

• AirPort network not automatically re-joined after sleep
• Bluetooth: Connectivity issues
• Dock Auto Hide/Show function broken -- fix
• Double restart is expected behavior
• Energy Saver issues -- system will not automatically shut down, etc.
• FireWire problems
• Font issues -- fixes
• Improvements
• iSync Issues -- Issues with hacks for unsupported devices; Sony Ericsson K700i won't synch
• Menu bar items missing
• Networking issues: Problems with proxies
• Photo booth distortion
• Printer issues
• Problems logging in from Windows systems
• Reminder: Have enough free drive space before installing
• Reverting (downgrading) to Mac OS X 10.4.5
• Safari: Image loading problems
• SCSI drives not recognized
• Server volumes cannot be written to -- fixes
• Special permissions messages no longer appear in Disk Utility
• Spotlight issues -- make sure drive is not in Privacy tab
• Startup problems -- will not proceed after update, etc.
• Streaming Audio -- fixes
• Third-party applications: Fix for Photoshop save on crash; Word crashes; more
• Update Installer cannot find destination drive

Resources