How to reinstall Safari?

Question

Level 2

478 points

How to reinstall Safari?

I need to reinstall Safari 3.0.4 on my 10.5.2 system. Is there a way to do so without running the gauntlet of reinstalling the whole system from scratch - 10.5.0+updates?

This is because I have a problem with Safari's contextual menu which shows 'localized string not found' instead of 'open in new window' and the other standard CM options. According to my research, the fix is to delete system/library/frameworks/webkit.frameworks and then install a fresh version of Safari, reboot and repair permissions. But if there's another way, I would be glad to hear about it.

Simon

iMac 2.4GHz, MBP 2.2GHz, Dual G5, Mac OS X (10.5.2), TiBook 1GHz, PM7500

Posted on Feb 28, 2008 10:47 AM

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Answer 1

nerowolfe

Level 6

13,090 points

Feb 28, 2008 11:02 AM in response to pr100

You can retrieve Safari from your Leopard DVD using Pacifist, available free here:
http://www.charlessoft.com/

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Answer 2

pr100 Author

Level 2

478 points

Feb 28, 2008 11:44 AM in response to nerowolfe

Thanks, I did wonder about this but I need an installer of sorts since I don't think the webkit.framework gets replaced automatically when Safari is opened. I also wasn't sure whether Safari and its various associated files has been updated since the version on my 10.5.0 DVD...

Simon

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Answer 3

macjack

Level 10

111,168 points

Feb 28, 2008 11:50 AM in response to pr100

You can replace Safari from your install disks without pacifist. Read Custom installs in Mac OS X 10.4(same for 10.5 plus some)

-mj

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Answer 4

nerowolfe

Level 6

13,090 points

Feb 28, 2008 12:15 PM in response to pr100

Whichever way you reinstall Safari, yes it will be the old version.
I would expect that the automatic update would update it to the most recent version.

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Answer 5

pr100 Author

Level 2

478 points

Feb 28, 2008 3:22 PM in response to macjack

Thanks. I wasn't sure if my Leopard CPU Drop-in DVD would allow this or whether I would have to use the 10.4 install disk which also came with my iMac. However, Safari 3.04 happily installed from the Leopard 10.5 DVD so perhaps it has been untouched by the subsequent 10.5.1 and 10.5.2 updaters.

Unfortunately, even though I removed the webkit.framework (following instructions found on the web), it was not installed with the new Safari. Attempting to launch Safari did nothing - it just quit. And even Software Update quit on me with the webkit.framework missing. So I had no choice but to put it back, whereupon everything worked again - but my Safari contextual menu was still kaput.

However, I have found that, despite the wrong text showing up multiple times in the CM, the commands still work correctly as long as I remember which line the function I want is on! If this is as bad as it gets, I don't think it's worth going to great lengths to fix.

Thanks for the suggestions though - I will keep them in reserve in case things get worse.

Simon

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Answer 6

macjack

Level 10

111,168 points

Feb 29, 2008 10:10 AM in response to pr100

Are you experiencing problems with other contextual menu commands or just in Safari?

-mj

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Answer 7

Yang

Level 6

9,125 points

Feb 29, 2008 10:39 AM in response to pr100

Hi all,

I was reading this thread out of interest and I seem to be missing something. (Go easy on me!) Is there a particular reason you're not reapplying the 10.5.2 combo update? I'm looking at the package contents with Pacifist and notice that it's designed to install both the Safari application bundle and the WebKit.framework.

Yang

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Answer 8

pr100 Author

Level 2

478 points

Feb 29, 2008 10:42 AM in response to macjack

Just Safari, it seems.

Simon

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Answer 9

macjack

Level 10

111,168 points

Feb 29, 2008 10:45 AM in response to pr100

Try emptying Safari caches and if that isn't enough resetting Safari both in your Safari menu.

-mj

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Answer 10

pr100 Author

Level 2

478 points

Feb 29, 2008 10:47 AM in response to Yang

Two reasons: a) I would have to download it; and b) when I looked at the Safari installed by my 10.5.0 DVD, it was the same version number as I had in 10.5.2 so I figured I would have nothing more to gain. But if it will install the webkit.framework, I obviously would have something to gain so I will probably do it when I can tolerate the CM no longer!

Simon

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Answer 11

pr100 Author

Level 2

478 points

Feb 29, 2008 10:49 AM in response to macjack

I already did that with Leopard Cache Cleaner. It didn't specifically tell me it had deleted the Safari cache but I presume it did.

Simon

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Answer 12

macjack

Level 10

111,168 points

Feb 29, 2008 10:49 AM in response to Yang

You're right, the combo should install it along with the webkit as long as the OP still has the receipt. I got away from suggesting that in 10.4 when folks who didn't have their utilities folder, didn't have installer.app 😉

-mj

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Answer 13

Yang

Level 6

9,125 points

Feb 29, 2008 10:54 AM in response to macjack

Ah, thanks guys. Crystal clear! :o)

Yang

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Answer 14

pr100 Author

Level 2

478 points

Feb 29, 2008 11:21 AM in response to Yang

OK - I grabbed the combo updater and it did the necessary. Safari is fine again. Thanks.

Simon

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Answer 15

rjrjj

Level 1

10 points

Feb 29, 2008 1:33 PM in response to pr100

I just finished reinstalling Safari, Mail, and Address book -- had to do it with the full installation of Leopard after trying just to find specific applications on the Apple disks. It was a LONG process, but I selected the option of "Archive and Install" so it saved everything on my MacBook! My only question now is what to do with the weird looking icons on my dock -- the "shadow question marks" of my old Safari, Mail, and Address books. Any help would be great.

BTW, this morning I somehow had 2 icons on my desktop for those three application, so assumed I could put the duplicates in the "trash" - no! Wrong idea. The applications were totally deleted, not in my finder, no where at all. At least the Library saves all preferences and settings. Sure wish I had been using Time Machine on that MacBook!!

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