10.3.9 - just installed security patches, won't boot up

m_ahlenius:

Repair Disk
Insert Installer disk and Restart, holding down the "C" key until grey Apple appears.
Go to Installer menu (Panther and earlier) or Utilities menu (Tiger) and launch Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in the left panel.
Select First Aid in the Main panel.
(Check S.M.A.R.T Status of HDD at the bottom of right panel, and report if it says anything but Verified)
Click Repair Disk on the bottom right.
If DU reports disk does not need repairs quit DU and restart.
If DU reports errors Repair again and again until DU reports disk is repaired.
If DU reports errors it cannot repair you will need to use a utility like Tech Tool Pro or Disk Warrior

Reboot from internal HDD
Repair Disk Permissions
While booted from your internal HDD
Go to (Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in left column and First Aid in main column.
Click Repair Disk Permissions at bottom left.

Please post back with update or further questions/comments.

Good luck.

cornelius

It seems that every time a new security update comes out we see a bunch of these types of problems in the forums. I deal with the SUs by:

1) Waiting to see if anyone else is having problems that appear related to a flaw in the update rather than caused by failure to do number 2:

2) I always repair permissions both before and after applying any update.

This has kept me running smoothly, Maybe it's just dumb luck (knock wood) but then maybe the "wait and see" approach plus repairing permissions really works.

A

Allan:

It seems that every time a new security update comes out we see a bunch of these types of problems in the forums.

I have noticed the rash of issues, too. I have never taken any special precuations with our two Pismos, --come to think of it, neither have any of the other six Mac users in my family-- which makes me wonder, what gives? Of course, now that I have said that, I may be next.

My theory is that the updates themselves are not necessarily the problem, but the installation of the updates on vulnerable systems exacerbates the vulnerability. I wonder if proper maintenance routines, including a reliable backup strategy, has more to do with it than any particular installataion. Just a theory though.

Cheers.

cornelius

m_ahlenius:

Do you have an up-to-date reliable backup of your computer, or at least of your Users Folder?

I am not sure what you mean by a saft install, but I don't that is indicated at this time. If you don't mind, let's try a couple of other things.

First, Reset PRAM
1. Shut down the computer.
2. Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
3. Turn on the computer.
4. Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
5. Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the third time.
6. Release the keys.

I recommend that you try starting up in Safe Mode. If you are able to do this successfully, empty Trash, restart computer and log in normally. If this does not help, let me know.

Good luck.

cornelius

Message was edited by: cornelius

What exactly does the grey screen with the spinning clock like wheel indicate anyway?

init is starting. It runs various scripts (ie. rcboot) then starts System Starter.

A verbose start up might show you where the trouble is.