Solving an issue where Classic will not start properly A handful of readers have reported an issue where the Classic environment will not properly startup under Mac OS X 10.4.3.
MacFixIt reader Daniel Milligan writes:
"I use Classic mode occasionally to play old games. I've never had a problem with this, but since I installed the 10.4.3 update, launch of Classic fails every time, even with extensions turned off."
In some cases, this issue is caused by the presence of a DivX plug-in located, in /Library/QuickTime as per Knowledge Base article #301585. The solution is to remove the "DivXNetworks" folder from /Library/Application Support.
More on Address Book data disappearance We continue to report on a serious issue where Address Book data suddenly disappears from systems recently upgraded to Mac OS X 10.4.3.
Jari Kokko writes:
"I had read that Address Book entries might disappear after the new Tiger update. So I took precautions and exported all cards into a .vcf file. I updated and - POOF - my addressbook only had two entries. I double-clicked the vcf file and the import function warned that all cards are duplicates and would be updated. I let it, and true enough, all cards were back. I believe that the data doesn't disappear after all, it just becomes invisible. This is backed up by the fact that the 'empty' Address Book data file is not smaller than the ok one.
Monty Lee adds:
"Just to let you know, I have two computers, each experienced the loss of the Address Book. One is a Dual G5/2, the other a Dual G4/800. After updating to 10.4.3, both lost their address books in a couple of days. I thought it had to do with Dot Mac Sync, so I turned it off. I restored the Address Books from a backup (unfortunately several weeks old), only to find out that a couple of days later it was gone.
"I've reverted (painfully) back to 10.4.2 because of other problems with 10.4.3 (won't print) on one machine, and will have to do it on the other if I lose the Address Book again."
Safari difficulties A few readers report issues with Safari after the update to Mac OS X 10.4.3.
Sylvan Lionni writes:
"I updated to 10.4.3 last week and everything was fine except for one thing. When I quit Safari it takes a long time for it to close -- usually between 10 and 20 seconds. I get the rainbow timer wheel and it usually just lags for a while. In addition, sometimes when I start Safari the window is off to the side of where it should be -- as if I was in Safari and hit 'New Window' and closed the original one."
There are a few quick fixes that generally resolve these issues:
- Empty the Safari Cache (an option in the application menu ["Safari"])
- Clear the browser history (an option in the "History") menu.
- Delete the file com.Apple.Safari.plist, located in ~/Library/Preferences/ (various settings may be lost)
- Delete the Icons directory from ~/Library/Safari/ (the small icons that load in the URL field will no longer be cached)
- Delete site-specific cookies by opening the Safari Preference pane (accessible via the application menu ["Safari"]), then opening the "Security" tab and selecting "Show Cookies." Remove cookies that correspond to the sites you are experiencing issues with.
- Failing the above options, reset Safari. This is accomplished by choosing "Reset Safari" from the Safari menu. Resetting Safari clears the history, empties the cache, clears the Downloads window, and removes all cookies. It also removes any saved user names and passwords or other AutoFill data and clears Google search entries.
iChat problems -- try removing plug-ins A few readers are reporting issues with iChat after the update.
MacFixIt reader Jim Gibson writes:
"Just a note to let you know that after the 10.4.3 upgrade three out of the four Macs in my vicinity are unable to get iChat to launch. It bounces in the dock, but quits almost immediately after it shows up on screen."
In many cases, these issues can be resolved by removing problematic iChat plug-ins from the following folder:
- ~/Library/Application Support/SIMBL/Plugins
Check for any recently added third-party items in this location, and temporarily move them out of the folder. Log out then back in, and check for persistence of the behavior.
Another fix for non-mounting FireWire drives Over the past few days we've posted numerous solutions to problems with unrecognized or non-mounting FireWire devices under Mac OS X 10.4.3.
MacFixIt reader Larry reports that, in his cases, re-building his FireWire drive's directory with DiskWarrior allowed proper mounting.
He writes:
"The Mac OS volume on my external Maxtor OneTouch FireWire drive failed to mount after I had updated to Mac OS X, 10.4.3 (curiously, the TechTool eDrive partition on the drive would mount). There was no change when I re-installed the 10.4.3 combo updater, and repaired permissions.
"However, I was able to get the drive to mount by rebuilding the directory with DiskWarrior 3.0.3."
Previous coverage
Sony DRM debacle affects Macs too Secure OS X reports that Macs have not been left out of the privacy debacle generated by Sony's controversial DRM (digital rights management) technology used on some new audio CDs.
The Mac DRM scheme involves a small application labeled "Start.app" that requests the username and password that inexplicably quits.
RealPlayer vulnerability Secure OS X also reports on a critical vulnerability in RealPlayer 10 for Mac OS X that has recently been discovered, and patched:
"This vulnerability allows a remote attacker to reliably overwrite stack memory with arbitrary data and execute arbitrary code in the context of the user who executed the player."
The company has issued a patch for the flaw, available via the "Check for Update" menu item under Tools on the RealPlayer menu bar or from the company's Web site.
Knowledge Base updates
- #302797 About the WebObjects 5.3.1 Update
- #302392 How to back up your media in iTunes 5 or iTunes 6
- #302788 Final Cut Pro: All text in a field is cleared instead of the portion desired
- #302418 Mac OS X: How to change the keyboard layout at the login window
- #302787 Final Cut Pro 5: Timecode accuracy when using the Import Panasonic P2 function
- #300277 Learn about iPod Universal Dock
- #302782 Pairing the Apple Remote with the iPod Universal Dock
- #302729 PowerBook G4 (Double-Layer SD) OPTION Globetrotter GSM/GPRS card causes two AirPort ports to appear
- #302679 iMac G5 (iSight): iChat or Photo Booth doesn't show video
Firefox 1.5rc2: web browser. The new release contains several fixes to the automated update system.
Apple Xcode 2.2: Development Environment. The new release provides overall stability and performance enhancements to Xcode IDE, as well as improvements to debugging, workflow, and the Xcode build system. It requires Mac OS X 10.4.x.
StuffIt Expander 10.0.1: expands downloaded files. The new release fixes a crash that occurred at startup when StuffIt's version checking code attempted to find an active network connection. This crash only occurred if no IPv6 address was available.
MimMac 1.7: clone, backup, and synchronize your data. The latest release adds a new backup set file management system, including a new window for importing, exporting, loading, and examining backup set files.
Default Folder X 2.0.4b2: enhancement for open/save dialog boxes. The new release fixes a crash that sometimes occurred when you clicked on the Favorites button. Default Folder X would quit unexpectedly when building menus containing items that point to offline servers.
Inquisitor 2.1: predictive search extension for Safari.
NetRestore 3.1: mass deployment utility for system administrators. The new release fixes some bugs introduced by the Mac OS X 10.4.3 update.
Apple WebObjects Developer 5.3.1: web app development. This installer updates the Application Server components in Mac OS X Server 10.4 to WebObjects 5.3.1
IPNetRouterX 1.1c11: router, firewall and network management utility. The new release adds support for Transparent Proxies (apparent address wild cards). It also fixes a bug in matching data content.
Tamper resistant code the key to continued hardware growth Writing for the MacDevCenter, Derrick Story identifies the ability to create tamper-resistant code as the key to Apple's continuing hardware growth. "Apple has always been about the hardware. Mac OS X is about selling computers. iTunes is about selling iPods. This might seem cold at first, but I think it keeps them on track. Many of us have a passion for Apple's software. To me this means they've done a good job of analyzing the situation and executing upon it. But how's this equation going to hold up with the Intel switch? One solution seems to be creating tamper-resistant code. Whew. That's a steep mountain to climb. And how much resource will it require? At a time when Apple hardware sales are on the rise, the Intel switch seems, well, shall we say "bold"? Of course, dumping the iPod mini for the nano took some cajones. Maybe they can get away with this one too." More.
Analyst bullish on possibility of Apple 'iPhone' Forbes reports that Gene Munster of Piper Jaffray maintained an "outperform" rating on Apple Computer and raised his price target on the company in anticipation of continued iPod and Mac innovations and a possible "iPhone" in the next 12 to 18 months. More.
The case for Mac Clones The Business on the Mac blog takes a stab at making the case for a re-birth of Mac clones "Time has progressed and the world has moved on from the Mac clones. We’re now in a substantially different place then when OS 7.5 roamed the land and cloners swept up all of Apple’s marketplace with reasonable priced computers. The dominant computer platform are variations on Microsoft Windows. The new and energized Apple, with its powerful OS X operating system and well designed consumer and professional software and equipment, is still very much in the minority." More.
Previously on MacFixIt