Security Update 2006-004 (#2): Problems with WebKit-based apps -- Safari, Mail.app, etc., fix; Inability to startup; more
Security Update 2006-004 (#2): Problems with WebKit-based apps -- Safari, Mail.app, etc., fix; Inability to startup; more
Problems with WebKit-based applications -- Safari, Mail.app, etc. Security Update 2006-004 makes significant changes to the WebKit framework, which provides HTML rendering and other capabilities for a variety of applications including Safari, Mail.app, Dashboard and a number of third party applications.
As such, some problems have manifested for these applications on some systems after application of the update.
MacFixIt reader Pete Loats writes:
"After installing Security Update 2006-004 yesterday afternoon I could not launch a number of applications that depend on Webkit. Mail, NetNewsWire and Dashboard all yielded the following error indicating a problem linking with the JavaScriptCore:
- Link (dyld) error: Symbol not found: __ZN3KJS9ObjectImpC2Eb
- Referenced from: /System/Library/Frameworks/WebKit.framework/Versions/ A/Frameworks/WebCore.framework/Versions/A/WebCore
- Expected in: /System/Library/Frameworks/WebKit.framework/Versions/ A/Frameworks/JavaScriptCore.framework/Versions/A/JavaScriptCore
"As I have Firefox I was able to access the web."
Workaround A potential workaround for this issue is to install the latest version of the nightly WebKit build, though doing so may obviate Apple-created security enhancements and possibly introduce other conflicts.
Inability to properly startup Some users are experiencing an inability to startup after applying Security Update 2006-004.
MacFixIt reader Philip writes:
"I have two Macs: A 1GHz G4 PowerBook with 768meg of RAM and a Dual G5 2.0GHz with 2Gb of RAM. Update was applied without problems on the PowerBook.
"On the G5, it now refuses to boot past the "spinning cog" stage, despite repairing the drive, permissions etc in both single user mode and with the restore DVD.
"When booting to single user mode (with the sh /etc/rc command) the boot process goes as far as: DNSServiceRegister("_ftp._tcp."): -65537"
In order to resolve problems starting up after applying the update, see our tutorial "Startup will not proceed after a system or security update; solving."
Bluetooth devices not discoverable A handful of readers are reporting Bluetooth issues after the update -- particularly a problem where devices are not discoverable, but continue to function normally.
Apple made minor modifications to the Bluetooth components of Mac OS X with this update, so a few hiccups are to be expected.
MacFixIt reader Pat writes:
"After installing this security update on my original issue 20" G5 iMac with Bluetooth and completing the requisite restart the Bluetooth Setup Assistant started up and attempted to find my Apple Bluetooth (original) mouse which was not tracking.
"The Apple Bluetooth keyboard was already working normally. I switched the mouse off and on and it was still not discovered. Using the keyboard I quit the Setup Assistant and the mouse started working instantly.
'I then launched the Setup Assistant again and despite the fact that the mouse was working normally the Assistant still reported that no mouse was discoverable. Using my working but undiscovered mouse I worked backward through the Setup Assistant and clicked on the Keyboard option.
"Alas, the Apple Bluetooth keyboard is not discoverable either - although it continues to work as expected."
Keychain issues Some readers are reporting Keychain issues after applying the update.
Most of these issues can be resolved by following the procedure outlined in our tutorial "Keychain issues; resolving".
MacFixIt reader John had success with one of the workarounds -- deleting then re-establishing the problematic keychain -- listed in the tutorial. He writes:
"Immediately after installing Security Update 2006-004 for Mac OS X 10.4.7 Client PPC, Safari, Keychain and Mail started to ask for my password, but wouldn't recognize it.
"Oddly, at startup I could login into the computer, and into all other usernames using my usual password, but Safari, Keychain and Mail continually asked for, and rejected my password.
"Keychain repair didn't work. I finally went into User/Library/Keychains and removed my user file; restarted, and rebuilt the Keychain file by reentering my old password each time I was asked. This did the trick.
I have an iMac 2 GHZ PPC running 10.4.7. I did have a firewall up, but no firewire connections or anything else not recommended. I have never had this problem before after installing a security update.
Removing the update If you are unable to properly startup, launch critical applications, or are experiencing other serious issues after applying Security Update 2006-004 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
Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.
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