A few problems, with a few apps (mail, iTunes, software updater)

[EasyB]

I have a few mac problems, If anyone has any ideas, I would appreciate them. Thanks in advance.
-B

1) Macs Software Updater
Error Message after from software update, after it downloads the update and ask for my password.
__________
The update "Security Update 2006-007(Intel)" can't be installed.
Software Update could not expand the package correctly.
-----------------
This message always comes up, like when iTunes was updated, I had to go and get the file from the website to make it work.

2) Mail never remembers my earthlink PW, but it remembers .mac mail
-even in account preference page, I have my password there, and it still asks me.
-If it is a pref file, I don't want to lose the way my mail program is set up, if it changes everything (rules, folders,etc) I would rather live with typing in the password always.


3) iTunes& iPod
a-When I plug in my iPod, The iPod does not mount (the screen says DO NOT UNPLUG) I have to physically rest the iPod and then no problems.

b-Itunes music store always times out, And I have a very good cable connection.

 

[mad jew]

To ensure this isn't a messed network connection problem, create a new user in System Preferences and see if you get the same problems there.

1) Macs Software Updater
Error Message after from software update, after it downloads the update and ask for my password.
__________
The update "Security Update 2006-007(Intel)" can't be installed.
Software Update could not expand the package correctly.
-----------------
This message always comes up, like when iTunes was updated, I had to go and get the file from the website to make it work.

Okay, try trashing the PLIST file for Software Updater. It's in the Preferences folder and it's called com.apple.SoftwareUpdate.plist. Drag it to the Desktop and try again.

2) Mail never remembers my earthlink PW, but it remembers .mac mail
-even in account preference page, I have my password there, and it still asks me.
-If it is a pref file, I don't want to lose the way my mail program is set up, if it changes everything (rules, folders,etc) I would rather live with typing in the password always.

I think this might be a server-side issue. Every now and then, my email provider does the same thing but it eventually passes. Nevertheless, check with EarthLink as to whether you need SSL authentication.

3) iTunes& iPod
a-When I plug in my iPod, The iPod does not mount (the screen says DO NOT UNPLUG) I have to physically rest the iPod and then no problems.

b-Itunes music store always times out, And I have a very good cable connection.

Strange. The time out errors may be related to the Software Updater errors, in which case the new user account may be beneficial in telling us what's happening. As for the iPod, have you tried restoring its firmware?

 

[EasyB]

1) I deleted the plist for software update, still the same problem.

3) iPod syncs without reseting it now, good call. I was managing it manualy, so I must redo my playlist and stuff, but worth it.

I want to reinstall over my accounts, but I hate to because the machine is working pretty good. But there are times it will not shut down, there are times when the beach ball spins forever and other small problems. I think it might be better to live with the small annoyances. I think there will always be something not working quite right.

Thanks for the help
-B

 

[mad jew]

Rather than reinstalling the OS, open a new user account in System Preferences and see if things are better from there. Also, try running fsck to ensure your file system is okay. Neither of these methods should lose any data.

 

[EasyB]

Yea, acutely I forgot to write that I did that and the problems persisted there too.

-B