Mac OS X 10.4.8 (#7): Software Update not automatically checking; Adobe Illustrator issues (cont.) -- Pathfinder problems; more

CNET staff

Sept. 2, 2009 12:11 a.m. PT

4 min read

Math problems in Rosetta applications Apple has apparently confirmed an issue where some PowerPC applications running under Rosetta on Intel-based Macs exhibit rounding and truncation issues when dealing with various arithmetic.

MacFixIt reader Joel McIntosh writes:

"My company uses a vertical-market accounting system developed in 4D. Yesterday, the software users' group received the following warning from our software vendor:

"A serious problem has been found with the latest Security Update for Intel based Macs. If you use ACUMEN on a Mac with an Intel processor please do not install the latest update Mac OS X Update Intel 10.4.8 until further notice. If installed, rounding issues will occur when entering certain numbers into some fields."

According to other data we've received, Apple is confirming this issue with a number of developers, and stating that a fix is forthcoming.

Software Update not automatically checking MacFixIt reader Rayner Cheung reports an issue where Software Update's automatic checking mechanism fails to operate properly after updating to Mac OS X 10.4.8.

Rayner writes:

"I've noticed that Software Update has stopped its (daily) automatic checking for new software after updating to Mac OS X 10.4.8."

In some cases, these issues are soluble via workarounds listed in our tutorial "When Software Update Won't Work (System cannot see or install updates)." If you have success with one of the solutions listed there, please drop us a line at late-breakers@macfixit.com.

Adobe Illustrator issues (cont.) -- Pathfinder problems We continue to report on issues with Adobe's Illustrator after updating Mac OS X 10.4.8. In particular, it appears that use of the pathfinder tool -- which is used for manipulating compound shapes. The problem currently seems only to occur on Intel-based Macs.

Most users affected by this issue report that the crash occurs when attempting to use the pathfinder tool to modify shapes created by the pen tool, circle tool, and others.

Some users are able to work around this problem by creating a new user account as described in our tutorial "Common workaround -- create a new user account". In other cases, where access to pathfinder functionality is critical, users have resorted to a downgrade to Mac OS X 10.4.7.

MacFixIt reader Alex writes:

"I just experienced a sudden application shutdown while using Illustrator CS2 on my new 2.16 Ghz Macbook Pro. I was trying to access a Pathfinder function."

Nic Solberg adds:

"I'm one the unlucky folks who thought Mac OS X 10.4.8 was a safe upgrade (seemed so with just about everything) but then I tried using some of the common to Illustrator CS2. I'm unable to use the pathfinder tools at all (crashes every time), along with various random crashes. I've also had both Illustrator and Photoshop CS2 fail to launch numerous times and I've had to used Tiger Cache Cleaner to purge cache, then dump preferences for each file and relaunch. Very annoying."

Increased fan activity Some users are reporting dramatically increased fan activity and noise after updating to Mac OS X 10.4.8 -- particularly with G5-based systems.

MacFixIt reader Douglas Vaught writes:

"Since updating an iMac G5 at home and at work to Mac OS X 10.4.8 the once super-quiet computers now run their fans almost continuously. I have tried various CPU settings to no avail."

Fixes

Resetting the SMU In some cases, resetting your Mac's SMU -- system management unit (per Knowledge Base article #301733 for the iMac G5 or Knowledge Base article #300341 for the Power Mac G5) -- can return fans to normal operation.

Failing an SMU reset, try starting up in Open Firmware mode (by restarting your Mac then immediately holding down the Command, Option, O and F keys simultaneously) then entering the following commands, pressing return after each:

reset-nvram

set-defaults

reset-all

Change Processor performance settings In some cases, a workaround that has been successful in previous instances of this problem has also been effective: Using the Energy Saver pane in System Preferences to change processor performance settings. Some users experience decreased fan activity when setting the processor performance at "Maximum" or "Highest" while others find decreased activity with the "Minimum" or "Reduced" settings.

Previous coverage:

Resources

"When Software Update Won't Work (System cannot see or install updates)."

late-breakers@macfixit.com

"Common workaround -- create a new user account"

downgrade to Mac OS X 10.4...

#301733

#300341

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