Software Update Hangs Machine

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Is your data backed up?

Have you tried to repair permisions?

I have been having the same problem for months. The only way I have been able to get around it is to download the actual update from Apple and apply it manually (i.e. for the 10.6.5 update, go to: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1324 , download and install. This applies to any software update I do from Apple). This is hardly an acceptable procedure though.

Most recently, I have been having the issue with the latest iTunes update.

I have cleared out /Library/Recipts, etc. I've run softwareupdate through the terminal, etc. The download begins, but never finishes. I've Repaired Permissions, checked the disk, etc. Nothing.

I don't want to have to download and install every package by hand...that's the point of package management. I know something is wrong, but have yet to find it.

Good luck.

I would download and install the 10.6.7 Combo update. You can install this update even if you are already running 10.6.7. It will replace every file that has been updated by any of the previous updates. It can fix files that became corrupted during previous updates.

I'd Repair Your Permissions after running the update by using the Disk Utility program in Applications/Utilities.

Any news on this thread? I am facing exactly the same issue as we speak. Tried the following to no avail:

- repair permissions, then SU

- install 10.6.7 combo update (which was successful), repair permissions, then SU

- startup from Snow Leopard CD, Repair Disk (even though Verify Disk said OK), repair permissions, restart from HDD, then SU

I felt I had exhausted all possibilities outside of a complete full reinstall. Any ideas?

Finally I think I figured it out...

Looking at install.log, seems like SU was stuck at writing files into /var/folders/zz/*

A quick check over google seems to confirm that files in /var/folders/zz are temporary files (e.g. cache files) and can be safely removed. This is what I did:

Open Terminal

cd /var/folders/zz

pwd

(double check that you are indeed inside /var/folders/zz)

sudo rm -rf *

(type in admin password -- this recursively removes all the files in the current directory... do this with care!)

That did the trick for me. Best of luck!

Sorry, wrong thread.

Message was edited by: dechamp posted info for wrong thread

If the machine is at least functional, backup your data*:

http://www.macmaps.com/backup.html

Then we can talk other options for repair or restoring your system to working condition.

Does your backup have hanging issues, and if so, how full is your backup, and how big is your backup drive?

Pls also see my reply earlier on this thread. It worked for me. Give it a try.

Type: pwd

Pwd prints the current working directory. Therefore you should see /var/folders/zz