Troubleshooting Mac OS X 10.2.3: iTunes "repetitive download" workaround; more disappearing devices

iTunes 3.0.1 "repetitive download" workaround We previously noted a bug where after installing Mac OS X 10.2.3, the Software Update tool continually asks the user to download iTunes 3.0.1, even though the newest version has already been installed.

We have since discovered that the problem only occurs on systems that use a language other than English, as the file named "language.lproj" (i.e. japanese.lproj) dictates whether or not iTunes will show up in Software Update, and apparently was not revised to recognize the 3.0.1 version in non-English versions.

The file that must be edited in order to resolve the problem is located in the /Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/Resources/language.lproj/infoplist.strings. It can be opened and edited with TextEdit, BBEdit, or other text editing applications. Alternatively, you can control-click the iTunes icon and press "Display package contents" to view the file in the Finder.

After opening this file, locate the line CFBundleShortVersionString = "3.0b4", and change it to CFBundleShortVersionString = "3.0.1". The iTunes update should stop appearing in Software Update.

More disappearing devices The internal CD-RW/DVD combo drive on our in-house Power Macintosh G4/733 is still not working after applying the Mac OS X 10.2.3 update. Several other readers are reporting the same problem, and we are seeking a workaround.

Numerous other readers are reporting disappearing devices, on SCSI, IDE and USB chains. Ahmad Vaziri writes:

"After updating to Mac OS X OS 10.2.3 my computer does not see my ZIP drive. I have a dual 867 MHz G4 MDD. I am using ultra SCSI PCI card and cable adapter to connect my external SCSI Zip drive. I have tried everything, no luck so far."

On the flipside, we have also received numerous reports indicating that SCSI performance and reliability are improved under Mac OS X 10.2.3. Fred Fee offers a comparison to Mac OS X 10.2.2's support:

"I have an Iomega Jaz 1 GB drive and an Epson GT7000 flatbed scanner attached to my SCSI card - both are SCSI2 devices. Here is a summary of the old and the new:

With Mac OS X 10.2.2

• OS X - neither was recognized.
• Classic - neither was recognized.
• OS 9.2.2 - Neither worked although a borrowed SCSI1 drive worked as long as the SCSI2 devices were not in the chain.

With Mac OS X 10.2.3

• OS X - Jaz drive mounts and works as nature intended - Scanner makes a noise like it is recognized by the Mac's SCSI start-up, but OS X lacks the TWAIN driver to run the scanner.
• Classic - Nothing recognized.
• OS 9.2.2 - Iomega Jaz drive mounts and works - Scanner and TWAIN software work."

Sleep: problems and fixes Mac OS X 10.2.3 seems to have resolved sleep issues, particularly with systems being unable to sleep without re-awakening a few minutes later, for a number of readers; while causing new sleep problems for others. Darryl Adams reports:

"Since upgrading to OS X 10.2.3, my Silver Door G4 finally gets a good night's sleep. Before the update, my G4 would never go to sleep, now it goes to sleep on time and wakes up just fine."

Meanwhile, several corroborating reports indicate that after upgrading to Mac OS X 10.2.3, some systems take 2 or 3 minutes to fall asleep, which was almost instantaneous under Mac OS X 10.2.2. Other readers report display artifacts and malformed images after waking from sleep:

"Whenever my PowerBook wake up from sleep, the video is a complete mess. It's as if the Horizontal synch is gone (displaying bits and pieces of video every few lines) and I'm forced to restart. It was fine before with 10.2.2 ."

Feedback on any of these issues? Drop us a line at late-breakers@macfixit.com.

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