Mac OS X 10.4.7 Special Report follow-up: Another issue (application launch failure) solved by the combo updater

As we've stated several times, re-application of the most recent Mac OS X combination updater is one of the most reliable workarounds for various issues that occur after a delta (version to version, e.g. Mac OS X 10.4.6 to Mac OS X 10.4.7) update.

MacFixIt reader Stephen Seuss reports a situation where various application launch failures were resolved by re-applying the Mac OS X 10.4.7 combo update (PowerPC, Intel)

Stephen writes:

"I was setting up a new Intel iMac for my boss and she has kids with kid software. After applying the update, neither 'Dora the Explorer' nor 'Dr. Seuss' apps would start at all. Reapplying the last 10.4.7 combo updater fixed the problem."

As noted in our Mac OS X 10.4.7 special report, when basic re-application of the combo updater fails, you may need to re-apply the Mac OS X 10.4.7 combo updater from an alternate startup volume, per these steps:

1. Download and save the Mac OS X 10.4.7 combo updater (PowerPC or Intel).
2. Startup from an alternate boot volume, such as an external FireWire drive, or use another Mac to boot the problematic system in FireWire target disk mode (connect the two machines via a FireWire cable, and boot the target [problematic] system while holding down the "T" key)
3. Once booted from an alternate drive, select the problematic volume in the Finder, and "Get Info" -- either by pressing the Command-I keyboard combination or accessing the "Get Info" option in the File menu. Check the box marked "Ignore ownership permissions on this volume."
4. If you have a third-party disk repair utility like DiskWarrior, use it to re-build the directory on the problematic volume (this step may not be necessary)
5. Re-install the Mac OS X 10.4.7 combo updater on the problematic drive.
6. Re-attempt booting from the problematic volume (hold down the option key at startup to select the desired drive)

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

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