Since Mac OSX Leopard 10.5 release, many updates have been rolled out to improve its performance. Today, Apple released 10.5.3 which varies in size. This all depends on the system you are running, and the updates you have applied. I will provide somewhat of a walkthrough to minimize problems which you might run into installing 10.5.3.
1) Please! Backup all you data (All of it!!).... That is the most important thing. Disconnect any peripherals attached to your Mac. This may cause some problems along the way.
2) Check if any new update, for apps which you install has become available for download.
3) Run maintenance scripts before the update and then restart your Mac. Apps such as Onyx and Mainmenu will cover all the maintenance corners for you.
4) Make such all apps are closed (check login items which might slow down, performance), then launch software update.
5) Downloading the update might take some time, depending on your internet connection. You can also download the 10.5.3 combo update from Apple’s download section. This helps if you are at work and the internet connection speed is faster than your home network. You can download the file and put it on a disk or usb drive, and then install it when you get home.
6) Launch the install and begin, the install might look unresponsive but it is still working. You might not want to be surfing the web and that sort of stuff when doing this.
7) After the install is done, it will ask to restart or do it on its own if you updated in software update. At startup it might take a while, DO NOT TURN OFF OR RESTARTED THE MAC WHILE THIS IS BEING DONE! Allot of Mac user had to perform a clean install because they restarted their Macs during this process.
*When restarted check for updates till there is nothing left.
8) When you return to your desktop run maintenance scripts or apps again, and then restart. Your Mac at this point will be very active; the reason for this is because in the background many processes are being performed e.g. spotlight indexing etc. Leave your Mac on for about 10-30 mins, this depends on your system configuration. This gives the processes time to do their stuff and return back to normal.
9) Lastly, restart again and enjoy.
Note*Many Mac users have been complaining that their wireless connection keeps dropping; here are some good tips to reduce this problem.
1) Check for updates (firmware) for you router
2) I suggest resetting the router and reconfiguring again.
3) Make sure you router is not too far from the device which needs it.
4) Also be aware that there might be interference such as cordless phones and such.
I normally advice to disconnect the router and modem for about 20 seconds, then connect modem again, then wait till all lights are back on, then plug your router again.
*Read all the improvements Apple has rolled out in the update.
*Also remember if you perform an upgrade, or achieve and install from a previous OS (Panther,Tiger); you might carry over bad preferences from your previous OS. This might cause problems for you system and make it unstable. Starting from scratch might be your best bet.
If you are still having problems after all of this, check system preferences in case you set something wrong.
The Macrumors forum users are always here to help, if you cannot find help here, then contact apple that will be your best bet.
*I advice advance Mac users to wait before doing another clean install, Apple might be rolling out many new updates during this week and early next week, to take a few remaining bugs out which the update might have caused.
1) Please! Backup all you data (All of it!!).... That is the most important thing. Disconnect any peripherals attached to your Mac. This may cause some problems along the way.
2) Check if any new update, for apps which you install has become available for download.
3) Run maintenance scripts before the update and then restart your Mac. Apps such as Onyx and Mainmenu will cover all the maintenance corners for you.
4) Make such all apps are closed (check login items which might slow down, performance), then launch software update.
5) Downloading the update might take some time, depending on your internet connection. You can also download the 10.5.3 combo update from Apple’s download section. This helps if you are at work and the internet connection speed is faster than your home network. You can download the file and put it on a disk or usb drive, and then install it when you get home.
6) Launch the install and begin, the install might look unresponsive but it is still working. You might not want to be surfing the web and that sort of stuff when doing this.
7) After the install is done, it will ask to restart or do it on its own if you updated in software update. At startup it might take a while, DO NOT TURN OFF OR RESTARTED THE MAC WHILE THIS IS BEING DONE! Allot of Mac user had to perform a clean install because they restarted their Macs during this process.
*When restarted check for updates till there is nothing left.
8) When you return to your desktop run maintenance scripts or apps again, and then restart. Your Mac at this point will be very active; the reason for this is because in the background many processes are being performed e.g. spotlight indexing etc. Leave your Mac on for about 10-30 mins, this depends on your system configuration. This gives the processes time to do their stuff and return back to normal.
9) Lastly, restart again and enjoy.
Note*Many Mac users have been complaining that their wireless connection keeps dropping; here are some good tips to reduce this problem.
1) Check for updates (firmware) for you router
2) I suggest resetting the router and reconfiguring again.
3) Make sure you router is not too far from the device which needs it.
4) Also be aware that there might be interference such as cordless phones and such.
I normally advice to disconnect the router and modem for about 20 seconds, then connect modem again, then wait till all lights are back on, then plug your router again.
*Read all the improvements Apple has rolled out in the update.
*Also remember if you perform an upgrade, or achieve and install from a previous OS (Panther,Tiger); you might carry over bad preferences from your previous OS. This might cause problems for you system and make it unstable. Starting from scratch might be your best bet.
If you are still having problems after all of this, check system preferences in case you set something wrong.
The Macrumors forum users are always here to help, if you cannot find help here, then contact apple that will be your best bet.
*I advice advance Mac users to wait before doing another clean install, Apple might be rolling out many new updates during this week and early next week, to take a few remaining bugs out which the update might have caused.