Troubleshooting Mac OS X 10.2.5: Kernel Panics after restart; combo updater; refresh rate selection and image distortion; more

Combo UpdaterAs has become common practice with recent incremental Mac OS X updates, applying the 10.2.5 combo updater can resolve a number of otherwise unexplainable problems that crop up after upgrading through Software Update.

Kernel Panics after restart While every revision to Mac OS X has generated at least a handful of kernel panic reports, the number of corroborated complaints from users who have applied the Mac OS X 10.2.5 update is markedly higher than previous releases.

In most cases, systems restart normally after application of the updater, and operate for a few seconds, then are suddenly stricken with kernel panic. In other cases, the kernel panic can occur after up to 10 minutes of normal operation.

Console logs are reported to indicate a problem with the "com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily (1.9..8)." file at or around the time of kernel panic.

In other cases, users are receiving the following error message instead of a login screen after applying the Mac OS X 10.2.5 upgrade:

If you experience one of this severe system failures, your best bet is to re-install Mac OS X 10.2 from your original CD via the Archive and Install process noted in Knowledge Base article #107120, then re-apply the Mac OS X 10.2.4 combo updater.

Refresh rate selection and image distortion We've received several reports of problems with resolution switching and inability to handle some refresh rates with Mac OS X 10.2.5. Jim Reffner writes:

"I run a Sony Artisan 21" CRT monitor at 1280 X 1024 in millions of colors at 85 hertz. After applying the Mac OS X 10.2.5 update, I was pleasantly surprised to find that 100 hertz was available as a refresh rate. When I select it, everything on my screen is stretched from right to left thereby making things look 'fatter.' Switching the refresh rate back to 85 hertz eliminates the problem."

Jonah Lee accurately describes a separate, corroborated issue:

"I just installed the 10.2.5 Update on my Dual 800 G4 Quicksilver, and on restart the monitor resolution on my second display switched to 800x600 and I cannot change it. I am running 2 monitors off of a GeForce 4Ti from Apple with a 17" Studio Display and a 19" ViewSonic CRT."

LaserWriter printers and PDFs Mark Standen reports that since updating to Mac OS X 10.2.5, he can no longer print PDFs to his Apple LaserWriter IIg. Other printer models connected to his system seem to work normally.

USB Issues: Logitech 2 button mouse; Apple Studio Display We have scattered reports of problems with Logitech's 2-button optical scroll mouse scroll function after upgrading to Mac OS X 10.2.5.

In addition, some readers are reporting that the built-in USB ports on their Apple Studio Displays are non-functional after the update.

Potential security hole fixed @Stake mentions a MacOS X DirectoryService Privilege Escalation and DoS Attack to which systems running Mac OS X 10.2.4 and below are vulnerable. In order for an attacker to exploit this vulnerability, they must first cause DirectoryServices to terminate. This can be done by simply connecting to port 625 repeatedly using an automated program.

According to @Stake, Apple was notified of the problem on March 25th, and verified the problem on March 28th. Mac OS X 10.2.5, released yesterday (April 10th) resolves the issue.

Feedback on Mac OS X 10.2.5? Having Problems? Have a Solution? Drop us a line at late-breakers@macfixit.com.

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