System Freezes Randomly after 10.6.3 Update

Hi,

I have seen other people post various other problems they have experienced after 10.6.3. But I want to dedicate this thread specifically to Macs freezing randomly during operation after applying the 10.6.3 update.

It has happened twice in the past 24 hours. While using my iMac, the system becomes unresponsive and exhibits the following symptoms:

1. Though the mouse pointer moves, I cannot click on icons, links, select text or interact with anything using the mouse.
2. The system is also unresponsive to key presses on the keyboard, whether they be individual key presses or pre-defined keyboard shortcuts.
3. The only way to make the system respond is by holding down the power button until the iMac shuts down.

I cannot tell if the problem is related to the specific activity I was performing on the Mac - the freezing may seem random to me but it could be caused by the same event (maybe Flash, Javascript, or some background program)

If you are having the same issue, please post here by copying and pasting the text below and entering your answers:

1. Problem started happening after 10.6.3 update? Yes/No
2. Did you get any errors during 10.6.3 update process? Yes/No
3. Mouse cursor moves? Yes/No
4. Mouse clicking does nothing? Yes/No
5. Keyboard key presses do nothing? Yes/No
6. Only way to re-animate system is by holding down power button? Yes/No
7. Mouse/Keyboard Model?

I'll fill in mine to start:
1. Problem started happening after 10.6.3 update? Yes
2. Did you get any errors during 10.6.3 update process? No
3. Mouse cursor moves? Yes
4. Can you click anything with the mouse? No
5. Does the system respond to keyboard key presses? No
6. Only way to re-animate system is by holding down power button? Yes
7. Mouse/Keyboard Model? Magic Mouse/Apple Aluminum KB w/number pad

iMac 24" (Late 2008), Mac OS X (10.6.3)

Posted on Mar 30, 2010 11:06 PM

Reply
682 replies

May 13, 2010 9:07 AM in response to batondor

batondor wrote:
So in my humble opinion it is not worthwhile to attempt to analyze the internal aspects of specific drivers. The very fact that the "freezing" problem occurs on different platform, albeit under varied circumstances, is what leads me to this conclusion.


The problem with that is it ignores all the systems that don't have any freezing problems. If you look only for ones that do, you will find them mentioned in a few topics titled like this one. But, if you start searching through all the topics, you will find many posts from users with the same model (whatever it is) that make no mention whatsoever of any freezing problems with 10.6.3.

Just look at the diversity of models mentioned in this thread. There are 7,1 & 8,1 iMacs, recent vintage Mac Pros & MacBook Pros, plus a few that aren't clearly specified. There is not one of these models for which you can't find dozens of posts in assorted other topics that either say they are having no problems with 10.6.3 or whatever problem they are posting about has nothing to do with freezing, randomly or otherwise.

So there must be a reason why the drivers are completely stable with some Macs but not others. If you are right that some Macs can't handle the greater use of OpenGL acceleration in 10.6.3 (assuming there is any) that doesn't point to a defect in the driver but to one in those Macs that can't run the driver stably. The obvious answer isn't to slow down these Macs with less demanding drivers but to figure out & correct whatever is causing them not to be able to perform as well as the others.

Think about it. Would you really be happy with a software fix from Apple that in effect downgraded the performance of the OS so it would run on Macs that could not perform as well as the others? If not, why suggest other users do exactly that, but without any assurance from Apple that the missing or downgraded driver won't cause some other issue(s) on some of their Macs?

May 13, 2010 10:42 AM in response to R C-R

R C-R:

You can rationalize the issue all you want, but there are three things that are very clear to me:

(1) There is a systemic problem in 10.6.3 that many people are experiencing, if in a variety of forms... and only a subset of them have both updated and are reporting their experiences in this forum, so the full extent of the phenomena is undefinable...

(2) The problems described in (1) have been confirmed by Apple through multiple avenues (not just me) and are being investigated. It might turn out to be a problem that manifests itself with a subset of stock systems such as mine because of variations in components, etc., but that's Apple's to fix for all of us with warranties. I'd be willing to bet, however, that something more fundamental is at work that is more or less debilitating to the system depending upon the hardware in use (with some platforms apparently unaffected, but that does not mean there is not an underlying issue that should be identified and fixed)...

(3) Some people in group (1) are stuck and are looking for a short-term solution so that they can have access to their systems... and yes, even if it means a return to performance at the Safe Boot or 10.6.2 Full Boot level... which was already very acceptable.

I could ask you "what's the alternative" other than to return to 10.6.2, wait for the next upgrade, and then cross one's fingers that all will go well... and if not, reinstall 10.6.2 again and wait for the next time around?

May 13, 2010 11:32 AM in response to Tomeranaray

The new combo update is only via this link below ... and NOT provided via your Software Updates.

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1017

If you read some posting earlier on ..they also stated to run the other Apple security patch which either show up in software updates or might be a manual download on Apples site just like the update link above.

I would run diagnostics via your disk utility and or maybe via your original DVD for that specific,
Mac, iMac, MBP, etc. check data structure and permissions checks also.

Then see if these updated "patches" work for you. If it fails, then I would do like some others have
and resort to dropping back to Mac OS X 10.6.2

PS - I have learned that you should always wait at least a month or so once new software updates
are available. However, I believe the 10.6.3 software upgrade just had a bug did not fair very well
as we all have painstakingly experienced.

May 13, 2010 3:06 PM in response to batondor

batondor wrote:
I could ask you "what's the alternative" other than to return to 10.6.2, wait for the next upgrade, and then cross one's fingers that all will go well... and if not, reinstall 10.6.2 again and wait for the next time around?


Simply put, I suggest not to assume the freezes must be due to 10.6.3 & because of that to quit looking for other causes. There must be a reason these freezes occur only on some systems. It makes no sense to ignore that easily verifiable fact.

May 13, 2010 5:34 PM in response to R C-R

If a nationwide problem causes an operating system on various different Macs to act irrational, freeze
up or possible startup behaviors, etc. that would lead one to believe that the software upgrade to (10.6.3) is probably the underlying culprit here.

Apple is aware of the issue and has released this fix back on April 12th: (Read all details 😉 )

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1017

Some individuals have said that after the update another security upgrade .. (sry I forgot that version) was installed and they were having no more problems. Of course that does not mean the everyone will still be fine due to the fact when owners begin running various troubleshooting techiques on their own like zapping the PRAM, NVRAM resetting and a whole plethora of other tricks that might not be needed that corruption could happen (not highly usual - but very possible) in some cases here.

Basically if the released patch 10.6.3 x.x software fixes do not work for one .. then I would definitely make sure I was running the older OS X 10.6.2

Do get me wrong either I do know about the other iMac 24 and 27 problems just so everyone is on track.

May 13, 2010 5:44 PM in response to sherifhanna

I'm scared of updating because it won't allow you to use Migration Assistant.

When I upgraded the Migration Assistant didn't work.

Also when you have the superdrive with a disk inside attached, start up has problems. It won't start up and the screen will flash between apple logo and a question mark forever. It's stuck on that blue screen.

Ridiculous.

Do they ever test their stuff?

May 13, 2010 6:56 PM in response to xtech

If the superdrive is hurting really bad then your left with a couple options.. You could also purchase or borrow an external USB or firewire DVD drive for your Mac or use another intel Mac w/OS disk image and networked together to install it if possible. Lastly, contact the local Apple store or Apple authorized service provider near you if all else is not feasible.

Message was edited by: xtech

May 13, 2010 8:31 PM in response to xtech

xtech wrote:
Apple is aware of the issue and has released this fix back on April 12th: (Read all details 😉 )

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1017


Read the last section of About the Mac OS X v10.6.3 Update. The only issue was the original version of the 10.6.3 combo update did not include a few of the update files that the 10.6.1 upgrade did. Thus, if you used the original version of the 10.6.3 combo update to update directly from 10.6 to 10.6.3, then you would be missing those few updated files. If you did not update directly from 10.6 to 10.6.3 using the original version of the 10.6.3 combo update, you would not be affected.

This has been well documented by independent sources, as well as the fact that the issue was so subtle than essentially nobody noticed its effects until Apple released the newer version. You can also verify difference in the two combo versions yourself if you happen to have them.

No offense, but if you are going to say, "Apple is aware of the issue," it would be a good idea to verify what the issue actually is before you do so.

Basically if the released patch 10.6.3 x.x software fixes do not work for one .. then I would definitely make sure I was running the older OS X 10.6.2


Because of the above, I obviously do not agree with this bit of advice.

May 13, 2010 8:55 PM in response to sanmarcos

The fact that you still have the freezing issue in no way changes the fact that the only issue the second version of the combo update corrected was the missing files in only the first version of the combo update.

BTW, there is often more than just a combo & delta version of an update. Software Update will often download & install what Apple calls a "smaller delta" if one is available for the Mac running the update app. See Mac OS X: Software update sizes can vary for the details.

May 13, 2010 9:10 PM in response to R C-R

I don't understand, Apple would have released a quick fix to such as serious issue, through software update, or would have notified us.

I see nothing in the update description as it relates to the system freezes. Can you please elaborate?

Is it safe to install that v1.1 combo update to our 10.6.3 machines?

What files are exactly missing?

May 13, 2010 10:28 PM in response to R C-R

Ok my question to you is that if Apple was not aware of any issue(s) then why did they post this note
quoted below and release version 1.1?

"Note: The Supplemental Update is for any system that was updated from Mac OS X v10.6 using the Mac OS X Update Combined v10.6.3, build 10D573. It is not needed on systems that were updated from Mac OS X v10.6.1 or 10.6.2, and it is not needed on systems that were updated from Mac OS X v10.6 using the Mac OS X Update Combined v10.6.3, v1.1."

Now if it has no bearing on the OS systems freezing then I will agree to your objection. I'm trying figure out why those users that are dropping back to 10.6.2 or even 10.6.3 all seem to be running
just fine now?

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

System Freezes Randomly after 10.6.3 Update

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.