Troubleshooting Mac OS X 10.2.2: Mounting removable file systems; Apple confirms iPhoto problem, working on patch

Mounting removable file systems Although the symptoms are only apparent on some system configurations, Mac OS X 10.2.2 has consistently displayed an inability to properly mount removable file systems. The problems seem to occur in the three primary areas:

• Digital Cameras and other Flash media: Although many of these storage devices show up on the USB bus in Apple's System Profiler, many do not mount on the desktop or automatically launch iPhoto. One reader reports that on his system: "The Console shows autodiskmount first seeing it '[not mounted]' and then never completes the loading process. The MS-DOS scan process (fsck_msdos) stays loaded. The system is totally messed up at that point; while I can switch to previously running apps, I seem to be unable to start any new processes. Shutting down hangs the system."
• Disk image files: On many systems, Apple's Disk Copy loads then reports that it is waiting for Disk Copy helper, then gives an error message "error 95: No mountable file systems." Users also have experienced problems with PC formatted CDs.
• iPod Some users cannot mount the iPod after applying the Mac OS X 10.2.2 upgrade, with the device showing up in System Profiler but refusing to mount on the desktop or allow access through iTunes.

For users experiencing these issues, the only current surefire workaround is a reversion to Mac OS X 10.2.1, though some readers have reported a fresh install of Mac OS X 10.2 followed by the Mac OS X 10.2.2 combo updater yields resolution.

Apple confirms iPhoto problem, working on patch After hundreds of posts to Apple's discussion boards, the MacFixIt forums, and e-mail reports, Apple has admitted to a problem with iPhoto 1.1.1 under various system configurations.

The problem occurs when ordering prints or publishing a HomePage from iPhoto. The transfer process will quit unexpectedly, and fail to complete the order or publish the page. There is no error dialog box displayed - although entries are made by the crash reporting systems. Most users report the problem is more apparent when attempting to transfer more than 5 MB of photos.

Apple has now begun telling customers that the problem may be related to Mac OS X 10.2.2, and is recommending (in some cases) that users revert to Mac OS X 10.2.1 and attempt the procedure again.

Earlier this month, an Apple support representative in the online support discussion area wrote:

"We are asking users to send us a couple of CrashReporter logs to assist us in identifying this issue. The 3 specific logs we are interested in seeing and their locations are listed below. If you would be willing to share these items with me for the purpose of investigating this issue please send an email to crashlog@mac.com and attach the logs to the email. It is possible that you may not have any or all of these items, if you do not have these files this is OK.

• /Users/<your OS X user name>/Library/Logs/CrashReporter/HomePageService.crash.log
• /Users/<your OS X user name>/Library/Logs/CrashReporter/PrintsService.crash.log
• /Library/Logs/CrashReporter/???.crash.log

"As a work around until this issue is resolved, often an attempt to reorder prints or republish the page will be successful as this issues is intermittent for most users. Thank you for your patience and understanding."

Apple has promised 100 free prints offer for users of iPhoto's 1-Click ordering. According to some reader reports, the iPhoto order failure has resulted in extraneous credit card charges and other hassles.

UPDATE: Glenn Carter notes that other photo upload/print services are exhibiting failures similar to the Apple iPhoto 1-Click ordering system:

"While I have not yet encountered the iPhoto issue currently being discussed, I have experienced an identical problem when trying to upload images larger than 700 KB to sites such as SnapFish or Costco's Kodak center. As a result I have only been able to submit shots from an older Digital Camera. Shots from my newer 3 megapixel cannot be submitted, either as drag and drop, or when browsing for the images on my hard drive."

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