Software updater crashes...

[ecche]

I have repeatedly tried to update Mac OS X to 10.4.6 (from 10.4.4.) on my wife's old iBook (G3, 500 MHz, 640MB RAM) using Software Update, but Software Update crashes every time before it even finishes "scanning for new updates". The OS does not seem affected and I can continue working as normal with the un-updated machine. My internet connection is fine and of course I tried repairing permissions, using MacJanitor etc etc.
Are the older iBooks no longer fit for the new versions of Tiger? I have so far never had difficulties with that.

[EricNau]

This may be a stupid question, but have you tried restarting?

[ecche]

This may be a stupid question, but have you tried restarting?
Not a stupid question at all, but yes I have restarted several times.

[mad jew]

Try installing the Combo Update (http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macosx1046comboforppc.html) manually. Then see if Software Update still crashes. :)

[ecche]

Try installing the Combo Update (http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macosx1046comboforppc.html) manually. Then see if Software Update still crashes. :)
Thank you! I forgot to mention that I had already tried that..sadly it doesn't work either. I can downlaod the combo OK, but when the update process starts at first everything is quite normal, it asks for my password etc and then crashes as it starts the update.
Sorry to have wasted your time, I should have mentioned that before.

[mad jew]

No need to apologise. :p

Okay, so is the system otherwise stable? Do you have a nice large amount of free space (ideally 8GB)? Do you have any hacks installed? Have you unplugged all third party peripherals? :)

[ecche]

No need to apologise. :p

Okay, so is the system otherwise stable? Do you have a nice large amount of free space (ideally 8GB)? Do you have any hacks installed? Have you unplugged all third party peripherals? :)

Yes, everything else is fine. I have just over 10GB free HD space (it's one of the rarer 20GB models) and no hacks at all installed. There are no peripherals attached at the moment (a printer and scanner are only connected when needed).

[yippy]

I am going to get shot for this.

Have you repaired permissions or run Run Disk Utilities repair disk?

I think I have had Software Update crashing on me before and that fixed it.

[ecche]

I am going to get shot for this.

Have you repaired permissions or run Run Disk Utilities repair disk?

I think I have had Software Update crashing on me before and that fixed it.
Thanks. Yes, I have. Several times actually. As usual it does a lot of repairs (widgets etc) but when you run it again it does the same repairs again.

[mad jew]

Can you get to 10.4.5 (http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macosxupdate1045combo.html)? I linked to the Combo Update because your problem may be a misplaced system file (possible) so a Combo Update might be beneficial. If you're on dial up, then just use the regular update (http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macosxupdate1045.html) since you have 10.4.4 already. :)

[HughJ]

i have just installed 10.4.6 (from 10.4.5) and on the first start up after the install it crashed twice...seems ok now though

[ecche]

Can you get to 10.4.5 (http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macosxupdate1045combo.html)? I linked to the Combo Update because your problem may be a misplaced system file (possible) so a Combo Update might be beneficial. If you're on dial up, then just use the regular update (http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macosxupdate1045.html) since you have 10.4.4 already. :)

Thanks, I just tried that ---> same problem as with the combo10.4.6.

[mad jew]

Well, I'm stuck, sorry. I assume it's a retail version of Tiger, right? It's not a copy from a different Mac's install disk, is it? If so, I'm not quite sure how it got this far at all. :)

[eva01]

Have you deleted the software update plist?

[EricNau]

If all else fails you could try an archive and install. (Make sure you check the option to keep your system preferences.)

[mad jew]

Have you deleted the software update plist?


Yeah, but I wouldn't have thought that corrupt Software Update PLIST files (there are two) would be affecting the manually installing Combo Updates. :)

[ecche]

yes, it is a retail version and no, i have not deleted the software update list and yes, i would dread doing an archive install.
what to do?

[EricNau]

Unfortunately, I think you may have run out of options. You could always try calling AppleCare. :confused:

[ecche]

well, after all i gave in in tried an archive install only to find out it won't be possible as I have a newer version installed. So I copied everything I wanted to keep onto a DVD and now I am doing a clean install. I'll let you know if that sorts it out. Meanwhile I'd like to thank everyone for their help!

[EricNau]

Good Luck! :)

[mad jew]

I'm sorry we couldn't help you further. :(

Good luck. :)

[ecche]

Here we are, 2 hours later. Clean install done, 300 MB of updates downloaded and reinstalled, personal data copied back on. Everythings fine. If only I knew what the problem was in the first place...