Mac OS X 10.4.8 Special Report: Common workarounds: Resolving typical incremental update issues

CNET staff

Sept. 2, 2009 12:16 a.m. PT

3 min read

It's often difficult to pin down the exact cause of an issue that occurs after an incremental Mac OS X update, and version 10.4.8 is no exception. Fortunately, there is a gamut of solutions that will solve perhaps 75% or more of post-update issues. Unfortunately, there's really no rhyme or reason to the order in which these solutions should be tried, aside from starting with the least involved and working your way up more drastic measures.

Delete kernel extension caches, other caches for some issues A number of common issues that crop up after incremental Mac OS X updates can be resolved by deleting specific cache files -- specifically kernel extension caches -- and restarting.

This can most easily be accomplished with a shareware utility like Tiger Cache Cleaner, but also bears a manual process which involves dragging the following files to the trash:

com.apple.kernelcaches (a folder in /System/Library/Caches)

Extensions.kextcache (a file in /System/Library)

Extensions.mkext (a file in /System/Library/)

com.apple.ATS (a folder in /Library/Caches/)

Files that start with com.apple.LaunchServices (in /Library/Caches)

You will be prompted to enter your administrator password when dragging these files to the trash. You may need to restart after moving them to the trash.

Re-apply the Mac OS X 10.4.8 combo updater A workaround that has proved successful for various problems caused by previous incremental Mac OS X updaters is re-application of the current combination updater (PowerPC or Intel). Doing so overwrites potentially problem-causing files that were not replaced by the "Delta" (adjacent version-to-version) update.

Re-apply the Mac OS X 10.4.8 combo updater from an alternate startup volume

Download and save the Mac OS X 10.4.8 combo updater (PowerPC or Intel).

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)

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."

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)

Re-install the Mac OS X 10.4.8 combo updater on the problematic drive.

Re-attempt booting from the problematic volume (hold down the option key at startup to select the desired drive)

Downgrading to Mac OS X 10.4.7 If you are experiencing severe, seemingly insoluble issues after the update, you can revert to Mac OS X 10.4.7 per the instructions in this tutorial.