Security Update 2004-12-02 (#3): Loss of network connectivity, potential solutions; Startup stalled at login window; more

Loss of network connectivity We continue to report on loss of network facilities -- including inability to access Web sites through Safari (or in some cases, any browser -- after application of the 2004-12-02 Security Update.

Barry Peers writes "Have never had this problem before after previous security updates. Problems connecting with both Safari and Firefox. Tried some of previously suggested fixes such as IP address in DNS server configuration, permissions repairs (using system disk utility), reboot ethernet modem but so far to no avail."

Curtis Evarts adds "I also loss my ethernet/ADSL internet connection after the update; however, can still connect to another computer on the network. Looking for a solution other than using the internal modem/phone line connection."

Other users are experiencing degraded network performance, but not a complete loss of connectivity.

Kevin Podsiadlik writes "In response to your call for reports on post-update problems with the December security update: I, too, am experiencing badly degraded network performance, but not complete loss. My situation does not appear to be browser-specific; using "curl" in the Terminal window encounters stalling as well, as does email retrieval. One thing I have noticed: in my case, anyway, the degradation was relatively minor at first; it was only noticeable when running network-intensive scripts. But after a couple of days the degradation became markedly worse."

Potential Solutions

Cycling router/modem power Several users have been able to resolve this issue by simply cycling the power on their modem as well as their local router (if one exists). Tim Garden writes:

"I have random loss of connectivity with my cable modem internet connection after installing the security update. Switching off the router and the cable modem and then turning them on seems to cure it most times."

Nathalie Sato corroborates "Yesterday after installing most recent security update, and booting up I was unable to receive email or connect to Internet. I assumed that the problem might be linked to satellite and airport network, so shut every thing down, waited a few seconds, reconnected satellite modem, then after another short wait rebooted computer. And then I was able to receive email and connect to internet. And on second day, no further problems."

Re-applying Mac OS X 10.3.6 combo updater Others have found success in the tried-and-true method of re-applying the most recent Mac OS X Combo Updater -- either Mac OS X 10.2.8 or an iteration of Mac OS X 10.3.x.

John Engberg writes "After installing the latest security upgrade. I was unable to access the internet using Safari, VersionTracker Pro, and Software Update. However, I was able to access the internet with Mozilla, Foxfire, IE, and Netscape. My local Ethernet connection with my other computer was not affected.

"I resolved the internet connection problem by changing my Network Preference Location from Automatic to EarthLink Cable (I have a high speed connection). However, that disabled my local ethernet connection. Changing back to automatic resolved that situation, but that disabled my internet connectivity with Safari, etc.

"Reinstalling the Mac OS X 10.3.6 update resolved all the problems. With the Network Preference Location set on EarthLink Cable both the internet connectivity with Safari, etc was restored, as was my local Ethernet connectivity."

Startup stalled at login window We continue to cover an issue where Mac OS X refuses to proceed past the "Loading Login Window" process after applying Security Update 2004-12-02.

As reported yesterday, the only viable, consistent workaround at this point is reverting your Mac OS X installation to a point before the most recent security update.

MacFixIt reader Sean Penny writes "I wrote you last week regarding the login stall that happened after installing the latest security update and ended up solving it by reinstalling panther over the weekend. I read the website today and do find the Spoken Interface beta issue interesting. I had also installed the beta back when it was originally released."

Chuck Hudlow adds "I joined the group of those with bad luck, I guess, last night. I was about to get on Quicken to pay some bills online only to find the window telling me I needed to update my Mac's security with Security Update 2004-12-02. As I usually do, because I've had no problems in the past. I continued with the updating. In the process, the update failed and I was instructed to download the update to my hard drive and run it manually. The next thing I know I'm re-starting only to find the blue activity bar moving across until it got to the point of 'Loading login window," and that was it. No more activity. I could not open the CD drive with using a paper clip and even then couldn't get the computer to start up from the Utility CD."

In what is likely an isolated case (but still worth a shot for those who already have the software), one user reports that using Norton Systemworks' disk repair function restored proper startup capabilities:

"I had the same startup problem with my PowerBook G4 12". I repaired with systemworks 3.0 which repaired a major directory problem. Starts fine now."

Another reader, Tony Kennedy, reports that he was able to resolve the startup issues by running fsck in single user mode (startup while holding the "s" key, the type the command "fsck -f" when prompted):

"I had this problem too, not at work I hasten to add, on my own computer at home, in The workaround I used to get up & running was fsck -f in single user mode and then exit rather than reboot: My machine continued the boot process perfectly afterwards. I've not restarted since however."

Meanwhile, Geoff Smith reports a strange variation of this issue for which we are seeking confirmation:

"I am having a startup issue as well, although not quite as severe. When logging in everything proceeds normally, desktop appears, finder starts, but disk never stops working, and within a few seconds I am logged back out (returned to the login screen). Logging in a second time and the login proceeds normally. Something similar happens when attempting to shut down -- shutdown seems to be happening, but then the login screen reappears.... selecting shutdown again results in a normal shutdown."

Safari Instability We're also beginning to track an issue with Safari instability after applying the update. Nusret Hisim writes "Ever since last Saturday when I ran the security update, Safari has been unstable to the point where I can't depend on it anymore. I've switched to FireFox temporarily. Tonight 'Mail' quit twice. I hope this isn't related to the Security update."

If you are experiencing a similar issue, please drop us a line at late-breakers@macfixit.com.

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