Security Update 2006-003 (#4): StartupItems removal fix for startup issues confirmed; Removing the update; Other freezes; more
Security Update 2006-003 (#4): StartupItems removal fix for startup issues confirmed; Removing the update; Other freezes; more
Confirmation: StartupItems removal fix for startup issues The biggest issue with Security Update 2006-003 continues to be a stall in startup on some Macs (primarily Intel-based systems). For most users, the Security Update 2006-003 process works normally, but at the subsequent restart (a restart is required by the updater), the Mac OS X startup process fails.
To reiterate our earlier coverage, the first step in regaining control of your Mac under such circumstances is to in boot safe mode. This is accomplished by restarting your Mac, then holding down the "Shift" key as it boots.
Booting in safe mode eliminates the startup problem because Startup Items are not loaded when safe mode is active. It appears that this issue -- in most cases -- is caused by one or more problematic Startup Items. Your next step is to navigate to the /Library/StartupItems directory (this is the Library folder at the root level of your hard drive -- not the Library folder in your home user directory) and check for potentially problematic items.
We originally identified Adobe's Version Cue as the most common cause of this issue, but readers have also found other items to be culprits.
You should also check the /System/Library/StartupItems directory for potential problem-causing files (this is a different StartupItems folder, located in the /System directory at the root level of your startup drive).
In particular, some users report that removing the "RemoteDesktopAgent" folder from System/Library/StartupItems resolves some issues.
We've received several notes confirming the removal of specific StartupItems to resolve startup issues.
MacFixIt reader David Warren writes:
"I had the startup freeze like others. For my MacBook Pro the answer was removing the Adobe VersionCueCS2 from /Library/StartupItems.""
MacFixIt reader Jan adds:
"Indeed, I had to reinstall Mac OS X on my MacBook Pro 2GHz, because I was not aware of these solutions (posted to MacFixIt). Then I told my colleague to update, while I was around, and she also had this issue. Now I safe booted, went to /Library/StartupItems, removed the Adobe Version Cue folder, restarted, and all was well."
Meanwhile, we previously noted that the Virex StartupItem was causing the startup stalls on some systems. MacFixIt reader Steve now reports that another anti-virus StartupItem -- this time a component of Intego's VirusBarrier -- was causing the problem.
Steve writes:
"I have just suffered the same thing on a non-Intel (G4 dual) PowerPC. Removing the two components of Intego VirusBarrierX v 10.4.3 from ~/Library/StartupItems (IntegoCommon and VirusBarrier) allowed startup to proceed normally."
Removing the update As noted in our tutorial "Startup will not proceed after a system or security update; solving", if you are unable to properly startup or experiencing other serious issues after applying Security Update 2006-003 that cannot be resolved by already posted workarounds, you may need to uninstall the update.
This can be accomplished via the following process; adapted from our tutorial on reverting to a previous iteration of Mac OS X. Note, however, that reverting your system will remove any refinements brought by the update and leave your system open to potential vulnerabilities.
First, make a backup of your current Mac OS X installation with the Security Update applied, problematic as it may be. If there is an issue along the way, your valuable data will be safely intact in its current form.
Next, you'll need to perform an Archive and Install process to remove all of the Security Update's (and potentially problem-causing) components, and replace them with the components of a fresh copy provided by the Mac OS X disc that shipped with your system, or a retail Mac OS X disc. Unfortunately, this means you will lose some system settings and some or all third-party system add-ons.
To begin the process, insert your Mac OS X CD or DVD, as indicated above. Restart your machine and hold down the "C" key to boot from the newly inserted disc. Follow the on-screen instructions, and after accepting the license agreement, click "Options." Select "Archive and Install," and check the "Preserve User and Network Settings" option if you'd like to do so.
After the installation process is complete, you will be left with an earlier Mac OS X system that (hopefully) does not suffer from the problems generated by the Security Update. Use Software Update or Apple's download page to download the update that brings your system to a state directly prior to the Security Update
More startup woes -- .plist files to blame? Other users are still experiencing stalled startup routines -- even after the removal of all potentially offensive StartupItems.
MacFixIt reader Jim writes:
"I have experienced a variation on the previously reported problems. On Friday I installed Security Update 2006-003 on a MacBook Pro and experienced a delayed freeze. Roughly 15-20 seconds after booting, the screen would freeze. I initially got around this by moving VersionCue out of my StartupItems.
"Everything worked fine until this morning, when I attempted to print from the Quark 7 beta to the Adobe PDF virtual printer. This led to another freeze, which I do not seem to be able to fix. I have deleted each of the items mentioned in previous posts, even those that don't seem to be implicated, and I even deleted the entire contents of my two Cache folders. I can boot into safe mode but in normal mode the machine again freezes after about 20 seconds.
"It looks like a full reinstall is unavoidable unless someone else has figured out a more elegant solution."
In some cases, it appears that removal of certain .plist files from the /Library/Preferences directory can prove successful in eliminating this problem where StartupItems are not to blame.
Though it's a tedious process, the best way to check for problematic .plist files is to simply remove the entire /Preferences directory from /Library (the Library folder at the root level of your startup volume -- not the one inside your home user directory) then place the files back one by one until you see the problem return.
MacFixIt reader Clint Courson writes:
"I too had a start up problem once I updated to Security Update 2006-003, however, I just ended up removing my complete preferences file from the root library and it started up fine.
"On another note, I have been experiencing a lot of fan noise since installing the update. Where the Mac-Min Intel was really quite, now it sounds like a first rev G5 PowerMac or a G4 Mirrored Door PowerMac, lots of noise."
Symantec Live Update broken As reported by a number of users, the Live Update component of Symantec's Norton AntiVirus does not function properly on some systems after applying Security Update 2006-003.
One reader writes:
"I am a desktop technician at UMASS Medical school in Massachusetts. This update also has broken Symantec's Live Update of Norton Anti Virus 10.0.
MacFixIt reader Mike Magonigal adds:
"I installed the update on my i-Mac 20" intel based. After the install my Norton Antivirus Live Update will freeze the system on starting the program. You can still move the cursor but cannot force quit Live Update or select any menu to Shutdown etc. Reinstalled Norton Anti Virus 10.X with no success. Had to restart system by turning off machine and turning back on. The startup process after the Security install seems noticeably slower."
Other third party applications causing freezes It appears that a certain code routine -- though we haven't identified which one specifically -- causes repeatable crashes on systems that have Security Update 2006-003 installed. As such, users are experiencing system freezes when running certain third-party applications after the update.
MacFixIt reader Aaron writes:
"I am using a MacBook Pro and have been running Matlab 7.2 using -nojvm mode. After applying the update, I find that my entire computer locks up when I attempt run Matlab (I can move the cursor, but that is about it). Each time I try this I must do a hard-reboot. I have tried using safe mode and find the same problem."
Another reader adds:
"I maintain an open-source installer system and a couple of packages for it around the TeX typesetting system. It seems that the installer program also triggers the freeze on intel systems running 10.4.6 with the latest security patch.
"When the system freezes, the mouse moves, but the windowing system is dead. The system still reacts to ping from the outside, but trying to connect to a service (e.g. ssh) does not work."
"I have had user reports that 10.4.6 with the latest security fix on PowerPC-based Macs is OK.
"It definitely seems Apple has a broken update on their hands.
"i-Installer is currently ppc-only and has been compiled against 10.3.9 and runs with the 10.3.9 compatible system that is available on 10.4.6. This has been done because 10.4.4 and 10.4.5 go completely haywire when running it. 10.4.3 was fine. My suspicion therefore is that it may have to do with Rosetta."
Another user reports a potentially related, repeatable crash in Microsoft's Entourage:
"Since applying the latest updates, I can no longer change font or background color in Entourage, without the program completely crashing. I reinstalled my OS and it did not fix the problem. I posted this in the Apple forums, and several other confirmed they are also unable to use these features without program crashing."
System slow-down Some users report general system slow-down after the update.
One reader writes:
"After installing the latest security update on my G4 running 10.4.6, everything has slowed down to a snail?s pace. I am getting a lot spinning of beach balls, no matter what I am doing. The connection to my hp printer is especially slow (usb); the time between clicking print on the screen and the printer actually starting to print a page could be 5 minutes."
If you are experiencing similar issues, you may want to try clearing caches with a tool like Cocktail or Tiger Cache Cleaner. Failing a positive response, you may want to try re-installing the Security Update via the following procedure:
First, avoid performing any other operations (in Mac OS X or third-party applications) while the update process is occurring. In addition, before installing this security update, make sure all Apple-installed applications and utilities are in their original locations. Also, disconnect any FireWire/USB devices then re-connect the devices one by one after the update process is complete and the system has restarted.
Problems printing PDF files As alluded to above in the "Startup Woes" section, some users are having issues printing PDF files after applying Security Update 2006-003.
MacFixIt reader John Protopapas writes:
"After the update I was not able to properly print out embedded graphics with PDF files using my HP8250 PhotoSmart Printer. I had to print in Print as Image Mode under advanced feature with Adobe Reader 7.07. I tried Adobe Reader V6.02, but it will not now launch. I have an un-updated version of OS-X (10.4.6) on a second back-up disk and PDF files print fine. I have a G4 Dual G4 500Mhz Giga Ethernet upgraded with Dual 1.8 GHz 5447A G4?s by GigaDesigns. I going to try re-installing the security upgrade. "
FireWire problems We've received scattered reports of problems recognizing FireWire devices after the update.
One reader writes:
"Following security update 2006-003, on my PowerBook G4 15" 1.5Ghz, my external firewire drive is no longer visible at all. The same external drive worked fine right before the update, and it still works fine using its USB 2.0 port instead, but firewire has disappeared.
"Exact same behavior on my Power Mac G4 733 MHz. The update appears to break external firewire disk access for HotDrive external firewire drives on PPC G4 machines."
If you are experiencing a similar issue, please let us know.
Previous coverage:
- Security Update 2006-003 (#3): More on startup woes -- check the other StartupItems folder; Active Directory issues; more
- Security Update 2006-003 (#2): Difficulties with startup (freezes at login screen) -- fixes
- Apple releases Security Update 2006-003 for both PowerPC and Intel-based Macs
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