Safari 3.0 beta (#4): Enhanced 'Reset Safari' function; fix for non-launching apps; more

[Published Thursday, June 14th]

Enhanced reset feature On numerous occasions we've noted that the "Reset Safari" function can work to solve various troubleshooting issues with the browser. This function is accessed choosing "Reset Safari" from the Safari menu. In previous releases of Safari (2.0.4 and older) choosing this menu item then confirming automatically clears the history, empties the cache, clears the Downloads window, and removes all cookies. It also removes any saved user names and passwords or other AutoFill data and clears Google search entries.

In Safari 3.0 beta, however, the "Reset Safari" command has been substantially improved, how offered users the option to customize the reset, and delete only select items. It also now has the capability to remove all website icons ("favicons"), which can have a surprisingly dramatic performance boosting effect for Safari.

You may want to consider accessing this option as an initial troubleshooting procedure for one or more of the many significant issues being experienced by adopters of Safari 3.0 beta.

Re-applying combo updater can solve some issues (applications not launching) The tried-and-true method of re-applying the most recent Mac OS X combo updater (in this case Mac OS X 10.4.9 [Intel, PPC]) has worked to resolve issues apparent for some users after installing Safari 3.0 beta -- particularly with regard to other applications that make use of WebKit (which is updated with installation of Safari 3 beta) and may not launch properly.

MacFixIt reader Thomas Carrolan writes:

"After install/uninstall of Safari 3, Mail and iTunes wouldn't launch [one bounce and out]. Other apps including Firefox would. I recovered by running 10.4.9 combo updater. I had to do this using another HD as the start-up volume because the OS combo installer would not launch from my internal drive."

If, as in the case of Thomas, the combo updater will not simply launch and install on your system, 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 10.4.9 combo updater [Intel, PPC].
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 10.4.9 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)

Another report, from MacFIxIt reader Sanjit, of the exact same problem/fix:

"The installer hung for me. I had to force quit and other apps that were running. Going back to the finder, I tried to run the installer again without luck. Then I noticed I couldn't run other applications. I restarted, but same the same symptoms remained ? some Apple apps ran, but a majority of programs I tried to run didn't work.

"Fix for me: I connected the laptop via firewire mode to my tower which was running the same os version as the laptop. I downloaded the last os combo updater (10.4.9 which is what both machines were running). Went through and installed the combo update onto the laptop. It saved me having to go through and reinstall the os from scratch and hopefully helps some people who might have the same issues."

RealPlayer content will not play MacFIxIt reader John reports that RealPlayer content does not work after installing Safari 3.0 beta on his system, even after uninstalling:

"I've managed to install Safari 3 Beta and all seemed well until I tried to watch a Real Player clip on the BBC's web site, where I was left with a blank screen. I re-installed Real Player but nothing changed so I went back to Safari 2.0.4 (419.3) by uninstalling. Still the video clips won't work."

RealPlayer content is handled by the RealPlayer content in /Library/Internet/Plug-Ins, which is actually an alias that leads to the actual plugin, which is stored within the RealPlayer application in /Applications. Try re-installing RealPlayer if you are having the aforementioned issue.

eBay issues MacFixIt reader Daniel reports some eBay issues for which we are seeking confirmation:

"Have installed the new Safari beta and all seems to be well, except... Ebay now reports that my browser needs to be upgraded, and states that I am using Safari v1.0!"

If you are experiencing a similar issue, please let us know.

SpellCatcher conflict It appears that the new version of WebKit included with Safari 3.0 beta prevents Spell Catcher X from properly being able to insert shorthand or glossary items in Safari and Mail.app.

One reader writes: "Evan Gross at Rainmaker Software has confirmed this bug and cannot fix it without Apple's help."

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

Previous coverage:

• Safari 3.0 beta (#3): More serious issues and fixes
• Safari 3.0 public beta (#2): What gets installed; Widgets not working; Input managers can cause problems; more
• Safari 3.0 public beta for Mac OS X released

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