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Enigmatic

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 22, 2008
49
0
For some reason, finder, mail and all other apple software won't run after the latest update. I've downloaded the combo from apple but since finder constantly crashes, I can't do a reinstall. The disc drive also doesn't seem to work now since it spits out my discs so I can't do a clean reinstall of the OS. Finder also doesn't work on safe mode so all I can do is browse the internet atm.

Are there any ways to fix this?
 
I also have problems since the 10.6.8 update. At bootup the dock appears and then disappears for about 6-8 seconds, during that time the background pictures change continuously, after that the dock reappears and everything is fine.
 
I am getting an overall system slowdown since the update and am experiencing pauses in playback in VLC.


VLC fixed after VLC update....

System still a bit slower than before.
 
Last edited:
This solved my problem.

Hey guys,

So shortly after I installed the new update for 10.6.8 my computer began to behave quite strangely. My Finder would crash when I switched views from list view to icon view, (or any other view for that matter). When I tried to install software, Finder would crash, the desktop would seem to refresh it self and the install would either fail or not execute at all. Over time I would get a panic screen (a small black pop-up that instructs you to do a hard boot in several different languages) and my computer would freeze. Applications that I had used for quite some time would suddenly start doing strange things like failing to save work I completed, or would crash all together. Needless to say this became very frustrating!!!! It was for these exact reasons that I switched to a Mac to begin with.

At first, I thought I had a virus, (I was actually convinced of this, and yes, there are virus' that can infect macs). So I downloaded the best, free, virus scanner I could find. (I recommend sophos, http://www.sophos.com/en-us/products/free-tools/sophos-antivirus-for-mac-home-edition.aspx). After some playing around and 2 hours later I finally got it to install! But because of my phantom virus, the scan would fail after about 5 mins in. I REALLY didn't want to do a re-install of my OS, download and apply all the updates over the last two years, re-install all my software and recover all my data. That process would literally take me days, it would be quicker to try and find a fix over the next 24 hours. So I hit the net to do some research! (That's how I found this forum).

What I discovered, was that there are several other users having similar issues as I was having. However, they attributed their problems to the new 10.6.8 update. That made me think, (...'yeah, it was around that time I started to have problems too'...). This gave me some comfort. Maybe I don't have a virus after all! So I tried a whole new focus in fixing my problem.

I first tried the fix suggested by iLog.Genius above. I booted off my install disk and started the disk utility. Unfortunately, it would not run because the version was too old. So, I tried the same thing except in safe mode, (restart you machine and hold the shift key. You'll see the white screen with the :apple: in the center, then a progress bar will appear below that. Only then do you release the shift key). I noticed right away that my finder would behave normally in this mode, (now I felt really good. This convinced me that the update WAS probably my problem). I then started up the disk utility that was installed on the system, and ran the 'Fix Permissions' option. This ran for about 20 mins and made quite a few changes! I restarted my machine only to find that nothing had changed. :mad:

I was aware that when apple releases their updates, they come in two forms. A smaller quick patch (~250MB) and a more detailed Combo patch found here (http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399) which is a little over 1GB. After download, I restarted my machine in safe mode, ran and installed the combo patch, restarted my machine and voila! Everything was back to normal. Whoohoo!!

So now I have a kick-ass virus scanner installed on my machine and I'm ready to receive the new Lion! So I guess even after some frustration I still came out with a better machine. I thought I'd share my trials with you seeing as I didn't find any solutions or fixes for this issue anywhere else.

Hope this helps!
 
Hey guys,

So shortly after I installed the new update for 10.6.8 my computer began to behave quite strangely. My Finder would crash when I switched views from list view to icon view, (or any other view for that matter). When I tried to install software, Finder would crash, the desktop would seem to refresh it self and the install would either fail or not execute at all. Over time I would get a panic screen (a small black pop-up that instructs you to do a hard boot in several different languages) and my computer would freeze. Applications that I had used for quite some time would suddenly start doing strange things like failing to save work I completed, or would crash all together. Needless to say this became very frustrating!!!! It was for these exact reasons that I switched to a Mac to begin with.

At first, I thought I had a virus, (I was actually convinced of this, and yes, there are virus' that can infect macs). So I downloaded the best, free, virus scanner I could find. (I recommend sophos, http://www.sophos.com/en-us/products/free-tools/sophos-antivirus-for-mac-home-edition.aspx). After some playing around and 2 hours later I finally got it to install! But because of my phantom virus, the scan would fail after about 5 mins in. I REALLY didn't want to do a re-install of my OS, download and apply all the updates over the last two years, re-install all my software and recover all my data. That process would literally take me days, it would be quicker to try and find a fix over the next 24 hours. So I hit the net to do some research! (That's how I found this forum).

What I discovered, was that there are several other users having similar issues as I was having. However, they attributed their problems to the new 10.6.8 update. That made me think, (...'yeah, it was around that time I started to have problems too'...). This gave me some comfort. Maybe I don't have a virus after all! So I tried a whole new focus in fixing my problem.

I first tried the fix suggested by iLog.Genius above. I booted off my install disk and started the disk utility. Unfortunately, it would not run because the version was too old. So, I tried the same thing except in safe mode, (restart you machine and hold the shift key. You'll see the white screen with the :apple: in the center, then a progress bar will appear below that. Only then do you release the shift key). I noticed right away that my finder would behave normally in this mode, (now I felt really good. This convinced me that the update WAS probably my problem). I then started up the disk utility that was installed on the system, and ran the 'Fix Permissions' option. This ran for about 20 mins and made quite a few changes! I restarted my machine only to find that nothing had changed. :mad:

I was aware that when apple releases their updates, they come in two forms. A smaller quick patch (~250MB) and a more detailed Combo patch found here (http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399) which is a little over 1GB. After download, I restarted my machine in safe mode, ran and installed the combo patch, restarted my machine and voila! Everything was back to normal. Whoohoo!!

So now I have a kick-ass virus scanner installed on my machine and I'm ready to receive the new Lion! So I guess even after some frustration I still came out with a better machine. I thought I'd share my trials with you seeing as I didn't find any solutions or fixes for this issue anywhere else.

Hope this helps!
I had alot of issues on my MBP after this update. I ended up r einstalling snow leopard and applying the 10.6.8 Combo Update which helped resolved most of the issues. However my system still feels slower over all and Safari is eating CPU like crazy.
 
At first, I thought I had a virus, (I was actually convinced of this, and yes, there are virus' that can infect macs).
Name one. Just one. You can't, since there are none. To understand what a virus is, as well as other forms of malware, read the link below.
So I downloaded the best, free, virus scanner I could find. (I recommend sophos,
You don't need antivirus software to protect your Mac. Even if you elect to use one, Sophos is not recommended, as it can actually increase your Mac's vulnerability. For details, read the link below.

No viruses exist in the wild that can run on Mac OS X, and there never have been any, since it was released 10 years ago. The handful of trojans that exist can be easily avoided with some basic education, common sense and care in what software you install:
 
i experienced this too. except i've had 10.6.8 installed since it was released. it's been running fine until i decided to restart today. then it kept going from my desktop to a blue screen for like 20 sec then i would see my desktop for a sec. so i booted into safe mode and it kept asking my to log in. i type in my password. it logs in but then goes right back to the log in screen. i'm restoring in time machine now. i will then try to install the combo update.
 
Unfortunately in my case, the disk drive is bunged so I can't boot up off a disc since it just spits it out moments after I insert them.

I also can't reinstall the combo pack which I downloaded, since finder crashes in safe mode too.

I guess the only option left is to bring it to the mac store?
 
Unfortunately in my case, the disk drive is bunged so I can't boot up off a disc since it just spits it out moments after I insert them.

Sorry if I missed it in the thread, but are you using a Macbook ?

If so, I get similar with some discs, hold your macbook on its end, so the disc slot is facing upwards, now insert the DVD, it should spin up and load it, then you can lay your macbook flat again
 
So, obviously late to this discussion but...overall, I've never had problems with 10.6....until I updated my MBP which I use for DJing. I did the update so that I could update Traktor. As soon as I did the update, all recorded sound became distorted and muffled.

I've installed the combo update, all necessary drivers, and even a patch that Apple issued that addressed sound issues specifically - nothing. Sound still F'd.

Anyone else with these issues?

I'm currently backing up the MBP then, I'm going to install 10.8.

My fingers are crossed.
 
same here

after an upgrade to 10.6.3 the imac would only give a blue screen, apple support said it does this - give it 2hrs!
tried a disk and permissions repair ( which was their other suggection) - still no good so re did the 10.6.3 install
fine this time, so ran the update combo for 10.6.8 + a software update.

now iphoto, itunes, mail etc will not run

life is too short to own a mac.
 
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