Mac OS X 10.4.8 (#9): Classic: Problems starting up; launching apps; Loss of iSight functionality (cont.); more

CNET staff

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

4 min read

Classic: Problems starting up; launching apps Several readers have reported issues where they are unable to start Classic, or launch Classic applications after updating to Mac OS X 10.4.8.

In some cases, this issue is caused by the presence of a DivX plug-in located, in /Library/QuickTime as per Knowledge Base article #301585. The solution is to remove the "DivXNetworks" folder from /Library/Application Support.

You should also make sure you are running Mac OS 9.2.2 in the Classic environment. You can determine which version of Mac OS 9 you are running by opening the Startup Disk pane of System Preferences and looking at the Mac OS 9 System Folder version.

Finally, you may want to try turning off Classic extensions by going to the Classic pane of System Preferences, clicking Advanced, then choosing "Turn Off Extensions" from the pop-up menu. If Classic starts properly, you can then go back to this pane, and turn extensions back on in groups to see which item(s) is causing the problem.

Loss of iSight functionality (cont.) Users continue to note loss of built-in iSight functionality after the update to Mac OS X 10.4.8. It now appears that (in at least some cases) the conflict is caused by the Classic environment being active -- perhaps with some Classic application or component attempting to gain control of the iSight, obviating other applications from using it.

One reader reports that stopping Classic (via the Classic pane of System Preferences) then repairing permissions (using Disk Utility, located in Applications/Utilities) re-allowed use of his built-in iSight.

"If Classic is turned off and the computer is started, the iSight will start in Photobooth. But if a OS9 program is started and Classic starts, and the Photobooth or iChat is stopped and started again, the computer will say the iSight is in use by another program and in my case not let the Photobooth start up. A simple shut down and restart DID NOT restore function for me. I had to repair permissions from both the start up DVD Disc Utility and the hard drive Disc Utility to get the Photobooth to run. In my case it took a while to figure out the OS 9 connection, because I had some login instructions to start up Classic at reboot. After I turned it off, and 'fixed' the permissions thing, all worked, until I start up Classic again."

Killing UniversalAccesApp process disables zoom-scroll function We previously noted that even when Universal Access is turned off in Mac OS X 10.4.8, the process UniversalAccessApp is still running (as evidenced by Activity Monitor, located in Applications/Utilities). The process can be quit with Activity Monitor, eliminating its processor usage.

However, we should note that killing the UniversalAccessApp disables the new feature in Mac OS X 10.4.8 that allows you to hold control while using the scroll function of the mouse and zoom any part of the scree

Illustrator launching problems can be resolved by clearing caches We previously noted some significant issues affecting Adobe Illustrator CS2 when running under Mac OS X 10.4.8 -- particularly an inability to launch (for some) and difficulty when attempting to use the pathfinder tool.

We've now received reports indicating that performing a basic cache cleaning -- with a tool like Tiger Cache Cleaner -- can resolve issues with the application launching. However, we are still seeking a valid fix for the pathfinder issues.

MacFixIt reader Nicolas Solberg writes:

"I have found reliable solution to fixing Illustrator's repeating launch problems on my Core Duo 2 Intel iMac. I run the latest version of Tiger Cache Cleaner and in the Cache tab I select 'light cleaning' with Local and System cache options checked. After a restart, Illustrator always launches. Seems to me there's obviously some cached file that's probably getting corrupted over time when using Mac OS X 10.4.8 and Illustrator CS2, so hopefully Apple or Adobe find a quick patch. For now Tiger Cache Cleaner allows me to use Illustrator, though I still can't use the Pathfinder tools under Mac OS X 10.4.8."

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

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