Security Update 2004-09-30 (#2): Problems printing; root account; more

Though Security Update 2004-09-30 has been one of the most stable, problem-free revisions released by Apple in recent months, users are reporting a few issues with printing capabilities and using the root account.

MacFixIt reader Jim writes "Installed Security Update 09/30/2004 yesterday and all went well until I attempted to use my Rendevous inkjet - can't establish a printer connection. The printer is a HP DJ970Cse connected to an Airport Extreme Base Station, a printing set-up that worked without incident until now. Wonder if the CUPS security fix in this Update 'fixed' my printer connection. I always preceed security updates and any major install with a DiskWarrior directory rebuild and permissions fix, and follow with another permissions fix. Did this time too."

MacFixIt reader Peter reports a problem with his Epson Laser printer:

"I installed the latest Security Update to my PB17 and the printers all disappeared and could not be added again. I only got an error message giving a server error, even when trying to install a USB Epson Stylus as an alternative to the lasers. I was using Epson's version 2.1 driver which does not used PPDs.

"My other PowerBook, a 12", had not been updated by the Security Update and all printing services were intact.

"I have now done a 10.3.5 Archive and Install, and restored printing using Apple's own supplied driver and conventional Epson PPD's [...] My next experiment will be to reinstall the Security updates and see what happens to the printers. My suspicion is that the Epson 2.1 driver does not use the 'Apple approved' way of doing things."

If you are having problems with a printer after applying Security Update 2004-09-30, first try using the excellent set of open-source drivers provided in gimp-print to resolve functionality. Otherwise, an archive and install (as in Peter's case) may be necessary.

Drop us a line with your experiences.

Connectivity lost In what may be an isolated issue, one MacFixIt reader reports problems connecting to Web sites in Safari after applying the latest security update:

"Applied the latest security update to my 15" Al PowerBook following the recommended MacFixIt update procedures and now Safari refuses to connect to any web site. All I get is the error message 'Safari can't open the page xxxx because it could not connect to the server xxxx'.

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

Problems logging in as root MacFixIt reader Alan reports problems using the root account after applying Security Update 2004-09-30:

"After I applied the update NetInfo Manager did not have a root password assigned anymore. I assigned a new one and then enabled root. Logged out of my current account and there is no 'Other' at the login window. It seems I can't log in as root anymore after the update."

This is likely related to a fix in Security Update 2004-09-30 for an issue where the NetInfo Manager utility can enable the 'root' account, but after a single 'root' login it is no longer possible to use NetInfo Manager to disable the account and it incorrectly appears to be disabled.

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