Callie3

Q: Failed Software Update

I did a software upgrade and got a message saying that it failed. When the Mac restarted the dock is gone along with other things like the left hand column on the hard drive (network, documents, music, etc). When I try to login as under the administrator account, it is just a blue screen that comes up.

iBook G4, Mac OS X (10.4.4)

Posted on May 3, 2011 4:09 PM

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Q: Failed Software Update

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  • by Ronda Wilson,

    Ronda Wilson Ronda Wilson May 3, 2011 4:41 PM in response to Callie3
    Level 8 (41,537 points)
    May 3, 2011 4:41 PM in response to Callie3

    Were you updating or upgrading?

     

    From which version to which version of the OS were you attempting to go?

  • by Callie3,

    Callie3 Callie3 May 3, 2011 5:46 PM in response to Ronda Wilson
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 3, 2011 5:46 PM in response to Ronda Wilson

    I was updating.

     

    It all started because I couldn't access the iTunes store without getting the newest version of iTunes which in turn required, I believe, OS X 10.5. I had 10.4. I did a software update on the Mac and got a message saying it failed. Now when I try to click on "About this Mac" to find out which version I'm in, the window will not appear. The computer also does not restart, you have to hold down the power button and force it to shut down and windows will not minimize.

  • by Ronda Wilson,

    Ronda Wilson Ronda Wilson May 3, 2011 6:10 PM in response to Callie3
    Level 8 (41,537 points)
    May 3, 2011 6:10 PM in response to Callie3

    So you were attempting to upgrade from Mac OS X 10.4 to Mac OS X 10.5?

     

    Does your iBook meet the requirements for Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)?

     

    Check that out here:

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3759?viewlocale=en_US

  • by Callie3,

    Callie3 Callie3 May 4, 2011 2:30 AM in response to Ronda Wilson
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 4, 2011 2:30 AM in response to Ronda Wilson

    I wasn't necessarily trying to upgrade to 10.5. I ran the software update assuming that if 10.5 was compatible with my 14 inch iBook G4, that it would automatically update to that version, and if it wasn't compatible, then it wouldn't update to that. I hadn't run software update in quite a while and just wanted to get everything up to date.

     

    Now it's almost as if my OS is in some confused version or doesn't know which version it's in.

     

    Is there a way to just revert back to what I had before and start over?

  • by Ronda Wilson,

    Ronda Wilson Ronda Wilson May 4, 2011 5:46 AM in response to Callie3
    Level 8 (41,537 points)
    May 4, 2011 5:46 AM in response to Callie3

    So, you were using Software Update to do this?

     

    Did you do a clone of your hard drive before updating?

     

    Mac OS X 10.5 is not an automatic update. It is an upgrade that you have to buy.

     

    Hindsight being 20/20, check out macjack's User Tip on updating, especially the first paragraph:

     

    Don't install any update, upgrade, new software until you KNOW if it will work well on your Mac. Your system may have pre-existing corruption and an update will exacerbate it. Apps may not be compatible. Drivers may not be compatible.

     

    (Ignore the references to Time Machine; that is a feature of Mac OS X 10.5.)

     

    Chances are there was a problem with your system prior to updating.

     

    See if your iBook will start up in Safe Mode.

     

    (This will take quite awhile longer than a normal startup because it does a file check and repair of the hard disk.)

     

    If this works you will see your normal desktop. Once completely started up in Safe Mode, try to restart normally, and go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility. Click on the top hard drive icon in the left sidebar and note the S.M.A.R.T. status at the bottom right of the pane. What does it say?

     

    Select the named boot volume in the left sidebar, ("Macintosh HD" unless you've renamed it). Repair permissions on it.

     

    See if a little hard drive maintenance can help things out.

  • by Callie3,

    Callie3 Callie3 May 4, 2011 10:53 AM in response to Ronda Wilson
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 4, 2011 10:53 AM in response to Ronda Wilson

    I was in fact using Software Update to do this so, no, then I would not have been upgrading to 10.5 if it is not an automatic update.

     

    I will try out your instructions on starting in Safe Mode. But I am a little unclear when you say to restart the computer. When I go into safe mode, I restart the computer going back into normal ('unsafe') mode? Or when I restart in safe mode, it restarts the computer and goes back into safe mode? And then I try repairing permissions on the hard drive. And then I would go and restart the computer again and go back into the normal mode and see if it fixed anything?

     

    Thanks for your help.

  • by Ronda Wilson,

    Ronda Wilson Ronda Wilson May 4, 2011 11:24 AM in response to Callie3
    Level 8 (41,537 points)
    May 4, 2011 11:24 AM in response to Callie3

    Holding down the Option key allows you to start up in Safe Mode. When you restart while in Safe Mode, it restarts normally (not in Safe Mode) unless you hold down the Option key.

     

    You repair permissions after you restart normally. In other words, repair permissions when booted normally. Don't repair permissions while in Safe Mode, but after you get back out of it.

  • by Callie3,

    Callie3 Callie3 May 4, 2011 3:55 PM in response to Ronda Wilson
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 4, 2011 3:55 PM in response to Ronda Wilson

    When I hold down the option key to enter safe mode, a blue screen comes up with my HD icon in the middle. There are two arrows below it, one on the left that is circular and one on the right that is straight and pointing right. Which one do I click on for safe mode and what do they mean?

  • by Callie3,

    Callie3 Callie3 May 4, 2011 4:28 PM in response to Ronda Wilson
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 4, 2011 4:28 PM in response to Ronda Wilson

    Ok, the curved arrow does nothing when I click on it. When I click on the straight arrow, it takes me to my login page and I login as I normally do and then it brings up my still messed-up system. I don't think it's in safe mode when it does this, but how do I know?

     

    I am unable to open the Disk Utility. I double click on it and it does nothing.

  • by Ronda Wilson,

    Ronda Wilson Ronda Wilson May 4, 2011 10:33 PM in response to Callie3
    Level 8 (41,537 points)
    May 4, 2011 10:33 PM in response to Callie3

    Right. My mistake. You get into Safe Mode by holding down the Shift key as the startup chime is ending. Sorry about that.

  • by Callie3,

    Callie3 Callie3 May 5, 2011 2:49 AM in response to Ronda Wilson
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 5, 2011 2:49 AM in response to Ronda Wilson

    I actually tried that first because the link you posted above about safe mode said to use the Shift key. When I held it down during start up, after the grey screen with the apple icon came up, the computer just shut off.

  • by Ronda Wilson,

    Ronda Wilson Ronda Wilson May 5, 2011 3:07 AM in response to Callie3
    Level 8 (41,537 points)
    May 5, 2011 3:07 AM in response to Callie3

    Do you have a backup for your hard drive?

     

    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2276

     

    Do you have the Mac OS X 10.4 Install DVD?

  • by Callie3,

    Callie3 Callie3 May 5, 2011 11:39 AM in response to Ronda Wilson
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 5, 2011 11:39 AM in response to Ronda Wilson

    I backed up my hard drive a few months ago, so yes, but not as up to date as I would now like the back up to be.

     

    I believe I still have all the original discs that came with the laptop. Should I try re-installing the OS?

  • by Ronda Wilson,

    Ronda Wilson Ronda Wilson May 5, 2011 3:10 PM in response to Callie3
    Level 8 (41,537 points)
    May 5, 2011 3:10 PM in response to Callie3

    Yes, I know what you mean. After losing several months' worth of work last September, I now back up about twice a week.

     

    Start up from the Install disc and go to Disk Utility and Repair Disk.

     

    Then try starting up normally, from the hard drive.

     

    If it's still showing the errors, try doing an Archive and Install which will preserve your data.

     

    If you get back to a usable system, do a current backup before attempting to update again.

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