QuickTime 7.6 breaks games, add-ons; downgrading

We continue to report on a number of significant issues apparent after the QuickTime 7.6 update. The most widely reported issues concern the inability to launch various games and use some system add-ons.

Games and add-ons broken Several users have reported problems launching videogames after the QuickTime 7.6 update. Afflicted titles include Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005, Call of Duty 2, The Sims 2 and Roller Coaster Tycoon.

One reader writes:

"Installed it and discovered that my Tigerwoods 2005 game would no longer launch. Went back to QT 7.5.5(via Superduper) and all is well again. Glad I backed up before installing it."

For instructions on downgrading, see below.

Downgrading to QuickTime 7.5.5 Because QuickTime 7.6 modifies so many files, it would be tedious to use manually delete every item then re-install an older version of QuickTime. A better, and safer method (if you are experiencing dire issues after applying the update) is the following process, adapted from our tutorial on reverting to a previous iteration of Mac OS X.

Note, however, that reverting to an earlier version of QuickTime will remove any refinements brought by the update and leave your system open to potential vulnerabilities.

First, make a backup of your current Mac OS X installation with QuickTime 7.6 applied, problematic as it may be. If there is an issue along the way, your valuable data will be safely intact in its current form.

Next, you'll need to perform an Archive and Install process to remove all of the Security Update's (and potentially problem-causing) components, and replace them with the components of a fresh copy provided by the Mac OS X disc that shipped with your system, or a retail Mac OS X disc. Unfortunately, this means you will lose some system settings and some or all third-party system add-ons.

To begin the process, insert your Mac OS X CD or DVD, as indicated above. Restart your machine and hold down the "C" key to boot from the newly inserted disc. Follow the on-screen instructions, and after accepting the license agreement, click "Options." Select "Archive and Install," and check the "Preserve User and Network Settings" option if you'd like to do so.

After the installation process is complete, you will be left with an earlier Mac OS X system that (hopefully) does not suffer from the problems generated by QuickTime 7.6.

Next, you can re-update to QuickTime 7.5.5 (download for Tiger or Leopard)

An easier, albeit more potentially problem prone method for downgrading is to download the shareware program Pacifist, install it, then drag the disk image of QuickTime 7.5.5 (which can downloaded above) onto the Pacifist icon. Select the main package and click install, then allow Pacifist to replace files, selecting "don't ask again." Restart, and check for persistence of the issue.

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