Security Update 2008-002 v1.1: worse than the original?

Security Update 2008-002 v1.1 was released as a revision to Security Update 2008-002, ostensibly designed to eradicate some of the more pressing issues, including an inability to print, SSH issues and more. Unforunately, the update has, for some readers, proven more problematic than the original.

Most notably, Security Update 2008-002 v1.1 reintroduced some of the printing issues extant in the original Security Update 2008-002, which users had fixed with some of our published solutions (stopping then starting CUPS, uninstalling or updating the "Instant Hijack" component of Rogue Amoeba's "Audio Hijack Pro"). Most troubling, however, is the fact that many of the previously published fixes are not effective with the revised edition.

MacFixIt reader Dennis Brun writes:

"The same printing problems that occurred with the previous Security Update came back with the installation of 2008-002 v.1.1.  I found none of the previous fixes resolved the problem.  Finally, I had to reinstall OS X 10.5 and use the Combination Updater 10.5.2, downloaded from the Apple website, to correct the problem. I have not reinstalled the Security Update and things are running just fine."

Removing the 2008-002 v1.1 Security Update, as Dennis did, is a viable option for many.

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 (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 -- in this case apply the Mac OS X 10.5.2 combo updater and any other subsequent updates that didn't initially cause problems.

Soem more andecdotal reports on problems caused by the "revised" 2008-002 security update:

• "This is basically worse than the first version.  It has completely broken my network printing and when I try to re-apply the OSX 10.5.2 combo updater, it tells me that Macintosh HD does not meet the requirements for the update, so I can?t even do that now. I re-applied the combo updater successfully four days ago after the first version of this security update. At that time, the re application of the combo updater repaired the network printing. I have cleaned the caches, repaired permissions and done everything possible with Leopard Cache Cleaner, to no avail." -- Jack Froelich
• "I have a dual 2 GHz G5 OSX Tiger server (10.4.11), 2 Gb of RAM,  that has been running wonderfully until Security Update 2008-02 was installed this week.  The issue is that after 30-60 minutes or so, it goes to sleep and I can't wake it up.  BUT, I can "ssh" into it just fine and via the remote bash shell all looks find.  Rebooting does NOT ring up the monitor but powering down, disconnecting the Cinima 23" monitor for just a second or two, and then powering up works great.  I have a ATI Radeon 9600 Pro Graphics card and the Apple Cinima 23" HD Display When in the Deep Sleep mode, my Cinima Monitor goes into it's maintenance '3 blinks' mode" -- Ron

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

Previous coverage:

• Security Update 2008-002 v1.1: requirement confusion, Safari instability
• Security Update 2008-002 v1.1 released

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