Mac OS X 10.4.2 Special Report: Release Notes, Download Links, Installation recommendations

On July 12th, 2005, Apple released Mac OS X 10.4.2, the latest incremental update to Tiger. The new version contains fixes for several issues reported here on MacFixIt (see our Mac OS X 10.4.1 and Mac OS X 10.4.0 special reports), including improvements in the following areas.

• file sharing using AFP and SMB/CIFS network file services
• single sign-on authentication and reliable access to Active Directory servers
• autologin for managed user accounts
• AirPort and wireless access
• Core Graphics, Core Audio, Core Image, including updated ATI and NVIDIA graphics drivers
• Finder updates including finding on Kind and using Slideshow
• synchronizing your iDisk with .Mac
• installation reliability
• managing Dashboard widgets
• Address Book, Automator, iCal, iChat, Mail, Safari, and Stickies applications
• compatibility with third party applications and devices

For a full list of enhancements, see Knowledge Base article #301722.

As usual, we recommend that users avoid performing any other operations (in Mac OS X or third-party applications) while the update process is occurring.

In addition, before installing this Mac OS X Update, make sure all Apple-installed applications and utilities are in their original locations. Moving one of these applications to a different location on your hard drive can lead to an incomplete update.

Finally, we recommend that users disconnect any FireWire/USB devices before applying Mac OS X 10.4.2, then re-connect the devices one by one after the update process is complete and the system has restarted.

Mac OS X 10.4.2 is available through Software Update, or as a 44 MB standalone download.

A 58 MB combo updater, which will update both Mac OS X 10.4.0 and Mac OS X 10.4.1 to Mac OS X 10.4.2 is also available.

Problems after installing Mac OS X 10.4.2? Please let us know.

Apple has also released Mac OS X 10.4.2 Server, which likewise resolves a number of issues reported here on MacFixIt, making improvements in the following areas:

• file permission inheritance when using AFP network file services
• Open Directory password and single sign-on authentication services
• authentication in Windows Server 2003 Active Directory environments
• file system management operations (more reliable)
• Workgroup Manager application (editing a user's home directory location)
• compatibility with third party applications and devices

Mac OS X 10.4.2 Server is available through Software Update, or as a 44 MB standalone download.

A 57 MB combo updater, which will update both Mac OS X 10.4.0 and Mac OS X 10.4.1 to Mac OS X 10.4.2 is also available.

• New repair capabilities in Disk Utility
• Ethernet Connectivity Issues
• FireWire Drives spontaneously unmounting
• General-purpose workarounds (Try these first)
• iChat "Insufficient Bandwidth"
• Mail.app: Problems with IMAP, SMTP servers, sluggish performance
• User poll reveals increased stability in progressive Tiger releases
• Resolution/brightness issues for PowerBooks
• Problems starting up/shutting down
• Release Notes, Download Links, Installation recommendations
• Spotlight cannot find single asterisk filenames
• AirPort connectivity issues
• FireWire/USB volumes refusing to unmount
• iCal search no longer working -- solution
• Installation fails partway through
• Menu items disappearing
• More on malfunctioning network adapters -- ISDN modems
• Remember to repair permissions after performing some workarounds
• Safari conflict with old version of Saft
• Sleep Problems/Solutions (system re-awakens, blank screen on wake)
• "System does not meet requirements" error message
• Misc. third-party application issues
• Widget, TCP/IP security updates

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