Can security update be un-installed?

Question

Level 1

16 points

Can security update be un-installed?

After downloading and installing Apple's latest security update ["Security Update 2009-002 (Intel)" (1.0)] my MacBook fails to recognise the Lacie portable drive I've been using for some years. Never had this problem before. The drive connects with a firewire cable, the green light comes on, and the hard disk spins. But the drive icon doesn't appear on the desktop or in Disk Utilities.

My desktop computer (G5, PPC), which did not have the update, still recognises the portable drive.

I've tried using other firewire cables to confirm the problem isn't the cable.

I've been in touch with Lacie who say since the portable drive is still functioning well, I should try to un-instal the latest Apple update. Is this possibe? If so, how can this be done.

Thanks.

iHope

G5 Dual 2GHz PowerPC; MacBook 2GHz Intel, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Jul 11, 2009 9:09 AM

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Answer 1

BDAqua

Level 10

238,979 points

Jul 11, 2009 10:03 AM in response to iHope

Hi, I don't think it would help to uninstall it.

Check Finder>Preferences>General, toggle the Show Hard Disks off & on.

Open Disk Utility, does it show up there? Can you highlight it & mount it?

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Answer 2

Király

Level 6

10,017 points

Jul 11, 2009 10:09 AM in response to iHope

The only two ways to uninstall a security update is to restore your whole system from a backup made prior to installing it, or to reinstall OS X and update to the last update before the security patch was issued.

But I agree with BDAqua. Try to isolate the problem. Will DIsk Utility see the drive if you are booted up from your Tiger DVD?

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Answer 3

iHope Author

Level 1

16 points

Jul 12, 2009 9:22 AM in response to BDAqua

Thanks BDAqua,

The drive doesn't show up in Disk Utility (which I called Disk Utilities in my post). I've tried toggling on-off in Finder preferences without joy.

I regularly verify permissions in Disk Utility.

The portable drive is good, has functioned fine for some years. It also plays a big part in my workflow. What do you suggest I do?

iHope

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Answer 4

iHope Author

Level 1

16 points

Jul 12, 2009 9:26 AM in response to Király

Thanks Király,

I'll try booting up from the Tiger DVD and report back. I'd hate to re-install the original system!

iHope

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Answer 5

Steve M.

Level 5

4,757 points

Jul 12, 2009 9:30 AM in response to iHope

In addition to all the good suggestions, do you have access to another Firewire device to connect to your Macbook just as a test to see if your Macbook's Firewire will work with another device?

Regards,
Steve M.

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Answer 6

iHope Author

Level 1

16 points

Jul 13, 2009 3:07 AM in response to Steve M.

Thanks for the suggestions.

I can confirm the MacBook seems to be firewire-blind.

1) It doesn't recognise another external hard drive
2) When booting up from the Tiger Installation CD, Disk Utility doesn't recognise either the portable drive or an external hard drive.
3) In Target Disk Mode it fails to recognise the desktop G5 PowerMac. Interestingly putting the G5 in Target Disk Mode, it can't see the MacBook! Is this significant? The G5 has no trouble recognising other firewire devices.

Disk Utility continues to verify the MacBook hard drive and permissions and the S.M.A.R.T status.

Could the security update have created this issue? Is it a permissions issue? In both computers, ownership of the hard drive is 'System'. Ownership of all external devices is 'iHope'. Is this correct?

What next?

iHope

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Answer 7

BDAqua

Level 10

238,979 points

Jul 13, 2009 4:25 AM in response to iHope

I doubt it was the update per se that did it.

Resetting an Apple portable's System Management Controller (SMC)...

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1411

Also might try a PRAM Rest... hold these 4 keys... CMD Option+pr at bootup.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379

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Answer 8

Steve M.

Level 5

4,757 points

Jul 13, 2009 8:58 PM in response to iHope

Was the FW drive connected when you actually performed the update on your MacBook? Seems like it's been reported, more in the past--haven't heard it much lately, to be a possible cause of subsequent problems with FW. Just wondering.

Regards,
Steve M.

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Answer 9

iHope Author

Level 1

16 points

Jul 14, 2009 2:26 AM in response to Steve M.

Hi Steve M,

No, the FW drive wasn't connected.

iHope

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Answer 10

Steve M.

Level 5

4,757 points

Jul 14, 2009 8:11 AM in response to iHope

iHope,

Maybe there are some more ideas lurking out there that might help.

Regards,
Steve M.

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Answer 11

Limnos

Level 10

411,109 points

Jul 14, 2009 9:18 AM in response to iHope

[What to do if your computer won't recognize a FireWire or USB device |http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1317?viewlocale=en_US]

[abrody's Firewire Conundrums|Dealing with FireWire problems (drives not mounting, devices unrecognized, etc.)|http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20041221081432908] - Specific OSX version issues with specific drive versions.

[http://www.macmaps.com/firewirebug2.html]

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Answer 12

iHope Author

Level 1

16 points

Jul 14, 2009 9:25 AM in response to BDAqua

BDAqua,

Thanks for your continuing advice.

Here's what I've done.
1) Run the 'Apple Hardware Test' on the MacBook. (Unplugged all devices, inserted Install Disk 1, restarted holding down D key). The test reported all was well.

2) Reset the laptop's System Management Controller. (Disconnected power adaptor, removed battery and held down power button for at least 5 seconds). The MacBook still couldn't see the portable FW drive.

3) Reset PRAM. (Booted up pressing power button and immediately holding down Command-Option-P-R keys until the second startup sound). Unfortunately this made no difference.

The MacBook recognises an external hard drive using a USB cable, but not the same drive using a FW cable. Could the laptop's firewire port be the culprit? It looks to be in excellent shape, and as I reported earlier it successfully powers up the portable drive (though the icon doesn't appear on the desktop).

What do you make of it so far?

iHope

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Answer 13

iHope Author

Level 1

16 points

Jul 14, 2009 9:28 AM in response to Limnos

Thanks Limnos. Will follow up and report back.

iHope

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Answer 14

iHope Author

Level 1

16 points

Jul 14, 2009 12:02 PM in response to Limnos

Hi Limnos,

I've read the links with interest, but to be honest at this stage I don't think they offer anything new. What would you advise?

I've examined the laptop FW port with a magnifying glass (really!) and it appears to be in pristine condition.

After resetting the PRAM and System Management Controller I expected some preferences and settings to have altered, at least the time settings. But no, nothing so far seems to have changed. Is this unusual?

iHope

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Answer 15

BDAqua

Level 10

238,979 points

Jul 14, 2009 12:17 PM in response to iHope

Yes Date & Time would change with a PRAM reset, but if you're connected yo the Internet & have Date & Time's Pref Pane to set Network Time, it'd be changed/updated before you could see or check it.

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