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CED Help Desk
412-D Poe Hall
CED_Help@ncsu.edu
515-1760
College of Education
NCSU
last updated
6/28/2006
Mac OS System Updates
Apple periodically releases free updates to the Mac operating system (ex., updating from 10.2.6 to 10.2.8), its component pieces (Java, BlueTooth, etc) and "i" apps (iTunes, iCal, iSync, etc). Mac OS X can check for and download these updates directly from Apple's servers. Software Update in System Preferences allows you to manually check for updates or schedule automatic regular checks. Installing system or software updates requires an account with administrative rights to the computer.
Recommended Procedures for Installing Software Updates
The following steps can help minimize problems that sometimes accompany applying major system updates. As always, backing up your files is a wise precaution.
If you are installing a "named" OS update, like upgrading from 10.2.x "Jaguar" to 10.3 "Panther", the procedures are the same with the exception of Step 4, where you would insert your new OS CD and run the installer instead of running Software Update.
1) Disconnect all external FireWire hard drives
As per Apple's recommendation as of the OS X 10.3.7 update. This includes iPods. Failure to do so can result in data loss on the FireWire device.
2) Repair hard drive errors
Insert the Install Mac OS X CD that came with your Mac and restart the computer while holding down the C key. Then choose Open Disk Utility from the Installer menu. Click the First Aid tab, select the hard drive, and click Verify. If errors are found, click Repair. When repairs are done, restart the computer.
3) Repair file permissions
Launch Disk Utility (located in Utilities, in Applications) and select the First Aid tab. Select your hard drive and click Repair Disk Permissions.
4) Install Software Updates
Open Software Update in the System Preferences and select the update(s) you want to install and click Install.
If
you never plan
to install a particular update, for example iPod Software or BlueTooth
because you don't have iPod or BlueTooth devices, you can prevent the
item from popping up every week by highlighting it in the list and
selecting Make Inactive from
the Update menu.
5) Restart the computer after the installation is done and repair file permissions again.
System Update Problems
If you experience a power outage or system crash during the installation, download and install the combined updater.
If you experience system problems after applying an update, follow Apple's steps for isolating the issue.
If after applying an update you determine that you need to revert to the earlier OS version because of hardware or software compatibility issues, you can try an archive and install and then download and apply the combined updater for the previous version of OS X. However, this should be your choice of last resort. It's usually much easier to update your affected application or hardware than to roll back to an earlier version of the OS.
Mac OS X
10.4 (Tiger)
10.4.7 -- Combined updater for PPC (G4/G5). Combined updater for Intel
10.4.6 -- Combined updater for PPC (G4/G5). Combined updater for Intel
10.4.5 -- Combined updater
10.4.4 -- Combined updater
10.4.3 -- Combined updater
10.4.2 -- Combined updater
10.4.1 -- Download
10.3 (Panther)
10.3.9 -- Final build of Panther, though security updates are still being released via Software Update. Includes previous standalone security updates, improvements to file sharing and directory services in a mixed OS environment, impvroved Safari reliability and other various bug fixes. Available through Software Update or as a download for updating computers running 10.3.8. A combined updater for all versions of OS X 10.3.x is also available. Unplug FireWire devices before applying the update. 4/15/2005
FireWire Firmware Note: "Apple has identified an issue with external FireWire hard drives using the Oxford 922 bridge chip-set with firmware version 1.02 that can result in the loss of data stored on the disk drive. Even with the improvements available in this update, Apple recommends you update the firmware on your FireWire drive. Please contact your drive manufacturer for more information."
Update on FireWire Firmware:
“Apple and Oxford Semiconductor have confirmed that firmware version 1.05 resolves the data loss issue experienced by some FW800 users. FireWire disk drive manufacturers have begun posting firmware updates:
Century Global; Ezquest; Firewire Depot; Firewire Direct; Glyph;
Lacie; Macpower; Other World Computing; TransIntl; Wiebetech.
Only use the updater provided by the maker of your drive, and follow the installation instructions carefully. If your drive manufacturer is not listed, contact them for more information.”
10.2 (Jaguar)
10.1 (Puma)
Classic Mac OS Updates
9.2.2
-- Final build of OS
9. 12/05/2001
System
requirements: OS 9.2.1 on
PowerMac G4, PowerBook G4, iMac,
iBook, PowerMac G3 or PowerBook G3.
9.2.1 -- Provides improved
Classic compatibility and G3/G4 support over 9.1. 6/25/2001
System
requirements: OS 9.1 on
PowerMac G4,
PowerBook G4, iMac, iBook, PowerMac G3 or PowerBook G3.
9.1 -- Update for
9.0/9.0.4. 1/05/2001
CarbonLib
1.6 -- 6/20/2002
CarbonLib
1.6
updates the Carbon API's in OS 9,
enabling better
performance and reliability of carbonized applications in OS 9 and in
Mac OS X's Classic
environment.