If you haven’t been notified by software update already, Mac OS X Tiger 10.4.8 Update is now available for download, and offers a variety of enhancements, fixes and features for both PPC and Intel Mac users.
According to Apple, the update is recommended for all users and includes general operating system fixes, as well as specific fixes for the following applications and technologies:
– Connecting to wireless networks using the EAP-FAST protocol
– Apple USB modem reliability
– Using OpenType fonts in Microsoft Word
– Compatibility with 3rd party USB hubs
– Scanner performance
– RAW camera support
– Printing documents with Asian language names
– Performance of the Translation widget
– Broadband network performance
– Security updates
Both the Delta (206MB) and the Combo (294mb) updaters for Intel-based Macs are significantly larger than the PPC versions, suggesting Rosetta has been altered, but there is no confirmation on that as of yet. If any users of Intel-based Macs discover enhanced Rosetta performance, please write to the MacCast, or leave a message in the forums about your experience.
Some users of MacBooks have complained of having a bluish-tinge to their screens after install the update on Apple discussion forums, and Apple has not formally addressed this issue as of yet.
If you are the owner of a MacBook, it might be a good idea to wait a few days before installing this update, as hopefully a resolution or clarification on the problem will be posted shortly.
For the record, make sure you do a full system Backup prior to installing this or any update to your system. I use SuperDuper! personally, but there are many backup software solutions out there for Mac users, and Adam has on many occasions mentioned some of them. SuperDuper! and CarbonCopyCloner and two top picks, and offer free backup solutions- However, supporting the authors of the software by purchasing the full version not only supports the continued efforts of the developer, but gives you enhanced options when choosing your backup preferences.
Happy updating!
i wonder that “- Broadband network performance” is referring to…..
Thanks Dan for recording your issue. I have an intel iMac 17″1.83 Core Duo, which I will attempt to update later tonight, and see if I can replicate your issue.
I have an Airport Extreme wireless network, so I wonder if it will be a problem for me.
Considering that the update address ‘Broadband Network Performance’, I surely don’t think it was meant to worsen it!
Try repairing your disk permissions (Open applications/utilities/Disk Utility->Select your startup disk->Repair permissions).
Additionally, in your system preferences, check both the network and sharing settings to make sure they’ve remained intact and correct for your network.
I will comment after my own iMac update, as to whether I expereince any difficulties.
For the record, both my iBook 1.42 14″, my g/f’s 1.33 12″, my brother’s 14″ 1.42 iBook and my mother’s 1.07 12″ iBook had no problems with the update. I haven’t heard PPC users recording issues yet, just the Intel users.
In addendum to the post, there’s an extended article on Apple’s site that details the update, and gives additonal installation instructions.
Please read before updating.
(PPC) The update caused something to go wrong with iphoto. It comes on and then flashes on and off like a slow strobe. I think I have to roll back for now.
I fixed the permissions – no change.
I checked the network settings and found that they were messed up. I use static IP for my home network and found it had been set to DHCP. After correcting the settings I now have internet connectivity.
It seems to work after a sleep as well.
Thanks for the help Dale.
Incidentally, when I upgraded by G4 iBook I got a big black box outline following my cursor around. Looking in the activity monitor utility I found that the only suspicious thing was the UniversalAccessApp. When I killed it – the box went away. Going into system preferences, I found a box option for zooming. Turning off the option fixed it.
OK, I spoke too soon. My Intel iMac lost network connectivity again. The network settings are correct.
Rebooting recovered it but I thought I would post this before I lose it again.
Darn it – I know better. Never buy Version 1.0 of anything – that includes software updates from Apple.
But I wanted my iPod connectivity fixed – it got flakey with iTunes 7.
Why did I upgrade to iTunes 7? Hey I wanted to play Zuma on my iPod. It was hard to resist. :-)
Never buy Version 1.0 of anything!
Never buy Version 1.0 of anything!
Never buy Version 1.0 of anything!
Never buy Version 1.0 …
OK, I spoke too soon. My Intel iMac lost network connectivity again. The network settings are correct.
Rebooting recovered it but I thought I would post this before I lose it again.
Darn it – I know better. Never buy Version 1.0 of anything – that includes software updates from Apple.
But I wanted my iPod connectivity fixed – it got flakey with iTunes 7.
Why did I upgrade to iTunes 7? Hey I wanted to play Zuma on my iPod. It was hard to resist. :-)
Never buy Version 1.0 of anything!
One cool feature that was reported was the ability to zoom-in using your mouse’s scroll wheel. Just hold down the Control key and use the up and down scrolling action on your mouse (apparently it works on trackpads with the two finger scrolling as well).
I can see how this would be very useful for the sight-impaired, or if you were doing a screen cast and wanted to show the specifics of a window’s settings.
It is an awesome feature, one that was present in 10.4.7 for me as a result of having the Wireless Mighty Mouse, and it’s accompanying software installed.
It does seem that the feature was causing strange anomalies with MacBook users after the update. Those that were troubleshooting the issue and turned off the feature seemed to solve thier issue. So it would seem at least right now, there’s a couple glitches with the new feature.
Dan – Try switching form Automatic to Preferred Networks in your Airport Confirguration under the Network settings in System Preferences.
I had the same issue, and this resolved it for me. Everyt time I rebooted, it wouldn’t connect to the network. I switched from Automatic to Preferred, and the problem was solved. Until there’s another update, I’d use this tactic for now :)
Just to let everyone know, a bunch of people in the Adobe Illustrator Forum running Intel Macs are having issues with the update. When using the Pathfinder tools, Illustrator will quit. Some say the problem seems to be spreading to other tools as well.
Just a heads up folks.
After installing this update, my dock doesn’t magnify properly anymore. If I move my mouse around the dock, it sorta clicks and jumps as if it was trying to grow bigger, but something was holding it back. Weird. Also, clicking on menus and stuff is a bit strange now. Sometimes I have to hold down on a sub-menu to get it to expand open, instead of just hovering or clicking it. Also, my mouse pointer doesn’t highlight menu items anymore, or change to a clicky finger-hand icon when I hover over a link to click. Totally odd.
Hi Charles-
Can you tell me what model and make your Mac is? I would like a bit more information about it, and maybe I’ll be able to assist you.
Additionally, I would advise you to do a full backup of your system, or at very least your important files as soon as you can.
Doing a backup just before installing ANY update from Apple, big or small is always a good idea.
If you’ve already got one, than we can try and tinker a little bit to get you back and rolling.
I have a iMac G5 1.8GHz 20″ with 2GB RAM and a 250GB HD.
And you have no idea how backed up I am… I have backups of backups!!!
It’s not anything that’s really stoping me from “rolling”, just some weird behavior after the update.
I appreciate any ideas you may have however :-)
If you’ve got Onyx, you can run a couple things that may fix the glitches. if not, grab it– it’s a useful program to have around to run maintenence on your Mac in one handy App.
Try running ‘Reset LaunchServices database’, under the maintenence tab.
Under the Cleaning tab, you could also clean out all caches. In each case, you’ll be asked to restart.
After doing so, it’ll take a little longer to boot as OS X re-builds the cache and LaunchServices files.