Software Update Interrupted

Most likely they're blown away.

I think they are .dmg files that are ejected on restart.

Having read these forums about incomplete downloads using Software Update, and it either doesn’t install or causes havoc on the OS, I no longer use Software Update to install new updates.

The safest way to install the updates is to go to the Apple Downloads page:

http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/

Use Software Update to see what updates you need (I usually write them down, but never install them from there). Then go to the Apple website above and download the .dmg file to your desktop. Next, open Disk Utilities (DU), select the .dmg disk image in the left sidebar, and click verify disk. It will let you know if it is a valid disk image. Most take about 2 seconds for DU to verify. When it’s verified, it should be safe to install.

If you are using a modem or DSL it is more likely to download a corrupted disk image. And the larger the download (like 500 MB) the more likely it is to get a blip in it.

Also, if you have several updates to install, it’s best to download them one at a time, verify it, and install each one separately. If you download several disk images, and the first update requires you to restart after the installation (like the recent security update) the other disk images will be ejected on restart and you’ll need to download them again. I don’t think iTunes, iPhoto, or iMovie require a restart. I don’t remember if Java did, but most any OS update will require a restart.

This may seem like a cumbersome procedure, and it is compared to using Software Update to install updates, unless you get corrupted downloads, as apparently you did and had to redo it several times. Fortunately the failed downloads, and attempted installations, didn’t disable your OS - this time.

Wrong. They're packages or folders. Software Update doesn't download images. If you save them when they load into /Library/Updates/ and then install, you can transfer them back to that folder and they'll stay there forever. This is what's in mine on the iMac which I purchased in April:

index.plist
Security Update 2008-007
iTunes 8.0.1
Digital Camera Raw Compatibility Update 2.2
iTunes 8.0
QuickTime 7.5.5
FrontRowUpdate2.1.6.pkg
JavaForMacOSX10.5Update2.pkg
HP_PrinterDrivers 1.1.1.pkg
iTunes 7.7.1
iLife Support 8.3
iWeb_204.pkg
iPhoto_714.pkg
iMovie_714.pkg
HP_AiO 1.1.pkg
iTunes7.7
iLife Support 8.2
QuickTime 7.5
iMovie_712.pkg
Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 2.1.pkg
iDVD_702.pkg
Safari 3.1.1
iMac EFI Firmware Update 1.3
Front Row Update 2.1.3
Aluminum Keyboard Firmware Update 1.0
Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 2.0
iPhoto Update 7.1.3
GarageBand Update 4.1.2
iLifeMediaBrowser.pkg

BTW, I've never had any problems using Software Update, with the exception of it deleting the packages instead of saving them, so your caution is noted, but your method isn't any safer than using it. Additionally, I usually install multiple updates simultaneously which results in no more than on installation process and restart. Except for those updates that don't require a restart, your method results in a restart after installing each. That's time-consuming and not necessary.

Finally, I always update my latest bootable backup/clone before updating to mitigate problems that might occur during the upgrading procedure.

Thanks for the friendly clarification.

Software Update downloads packages, not disk images, but the packages appear to be identical to the packages contained in the disk images downloaded from Apple Downloads.

Happy to hear you have never had a problem with Software Update. You probably have a reliable internet connection. But what about all the failed Software Update downloads, this user and numerous others have reported on this forum who solved their problem by downloading the disk image packages (like the combo updates) and installing from those?

Because you have never had a problem with Software Update doesn’t mean no one else ever had a problem with it. It may save a few minutes having Software Update automatically install everything, but if there is a problem with the download (especially a large one using a modem or DSL), as this user apparently did, it may require a lot more time to figure out what happened. For some users, it required re-installing the OS and then downloading the updates again and installing them either by downloading the disk images, or rolling the dice again with Software Update.

I also update my bootable backup before installing updates, but why bother if there has never been a problem with Software Update?

And what was the purpose of posting all your update packages and when you bought your computer?

To the OP, thanks for the feedback and reward. Good computing.

Software Update downloads packages, not disk images, but the packages appear to be identical to the packages contained in the disk images downloaded from Apple Downloads.

True. IIRC, Software Update downloads them as dmg files and automatically expands them, blowing away the images, and then sets up script to install them, either requiring a restart or not.

Happy to hear you have never had a problem with Software Update. You probably have a reliable internet connection.

Cable connection via RoadRunner. Much more reliable than the DSL system I tried over four years ago.

But what about all the failed Software Update downloads, this user and numerous others have reported on this forum who solved their problem by downloading the disk image packages (like the combo updates) and installing from those?

I usually recommend manually downloading and installing for those having issues using SU, but do want to note that not everyone has the problem.

Because you have never had a problem with Software Update doesn’t mean no one else ever had a problem with it. It may save a few minutes having Software Update automatically install everything, but if there is a problem with the download (especially a large one using a modem or DSL), as this user apparently did, it may require a lot more time to figure out what happened. For some users, it required re-installing the OS and then downloading the updates again and installing them either by downloading the disk images, or rolling the dice again with Software Update.

Never said otherwise, I was just clarifying what you originally wrote.

I also update my bootable backup before installing updates, but why bother if there has never been a problem with Software Update?

Best practices. I've beta-tested Panther, Tiger, and Leopard, including most of their updates, and adopted those practices long ago. I also moderate the Bombich forums, spending most of my time resolving problems with Carbon Copy Cloner. My incremental backups take less than five minutes, so ensuring that one's available for restoration is why I bother. More details contained in:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106941
http://www.macmaps.com/upgradefaq.html
http://www.macmaps.com/backup.html
http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/installswupdates.html
http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/backuprecovery.html

And what was the purpose of posting all your update packages and when you bought your computer?

To provide a data point concerning what's been updated via SU the past six months on my machines. Sorry if you didn't find it useful.