Update to 10.6.8 broke my optical audio - any help?

I tried these instructions but can't seem to get the AppleHDA.kext to work from the Pacifist restored file. The file is in my Extensions folder but none of the HDA extensions are showing up in System Profiler. I'm running the sudo touch command after I install the 10.6.7 version of AppleHDA with Pacifist but no dice. Any suggestions?

I too tried those instructions with no success, after some playing around I managed to get it working.

Here is what I did:

1. Locate AppleHDA.kext in "HD/System/Library/Extensions". Copy to new location and remove from directory (Move to Trash).
2. Download the 10.6.7 Combo Update from: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1361 it will be 1.2 GB
3. Download the Pacifist: http://pacifist.en.softonic.com/mac
4. Double-click the 10.6.7 combo disk image to mount it, and open Pacifist (wait 15 seconds for the registration request if you have an unregistered version)
5. In Pacifist, click Open Package and select the package "MacOSXUpdCombo10.6.7.pkg on the disk image.
6. Navigate to "Contest of MacOSXUpdCombo10.6.7.pkg > Contents of manual > Contetns of SUBaseSystemCombo10.6.7.pkg > System > Library > Extensions". Select AppleHDA.kext and click "Install" in the toolbar.

When Pacifist is done, you should get a new AppleHDA.kext in "HD/System/Library/Extensions".

You can now restart your Mac or do as macbrg suggested (if your admin user has a password set):

1. Open Terminal
2. Type "sudo touch /System/Library/Extensions"
3. It will request your password, just type it and hit enter.

This will cause Mac OS to recheck the Extensions folder and re load them.

The process is pretty much the same as macbrg suggested an as the one found in http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-20075185-263/workaround-for-audio-problems- with-os-x-10.6.8-update/

The only difference is the path to the AppleHDA.kext in the PKG file as the one suggested above was not installing the correct kext, Mac OS kept complaining that it was missing an Info.plist file in order to load it properly.

Hope it helps!

Dan Mcree, the link you posted was to enable playthrough

of the HD formats in Apple Quicktime Apps (iTunes,DVD Player, etc.)

But all these audio issues seem to be independent of any

applications. In my case, it doesn't matter if I use iTunes,PLEX,

VLC, or XBMC. If I play any HD audio, it borks any stereo material.

The only fix that works for me is to stay at 10.6.7.

As for DTS, PLEX,VLC, or XBMC will pass through DTS without

any additional software.

Hi Sebado

yes I can confirm this solution too. It´s working as you described it. In all way make a restart !
Additionally I found out, that cpu usage is more then 20 or 30% less with the 10.6.7 AppleHDA.kext installed then the corrupt 10.6.8 one.

Ex: With 10.6.8 AppleHDA.kext and EyeTV running a HD Station with full Digital sound I have 95 - 100% CPU and "sparkles" or "fractals" on the screen. Sometimes EYE_TV HD Pic freezes a few seconds.

Now with downgrading only 10.6.7 AppleHDA.kext CPU usage is between 75 and 80% when watching HD Television. No sparkles or glitter or freezing pics at the moment.

Thats a good solution for all watching TV with EyeTV to fix this at the moment.

Don´t know what Apple did here with new AppleHDA.kext in 10.6.8.

Thanks sebabo for the tutorial!

Confirmed working on a Mac Mini 2009 connected to a Marantz SR-6005.

did not work for me... It only works using my headphones

Hi, also tried the solution suggested by sebabo.

Unfortunately it did not work for me / my MacBookPro. Could still not use my external speaker / headphones.

.....well, after spending many hours fooling with OS settings, preferences, A/V receiver menu settings, and much more to try and fix these audio problems....I finally found here on the Apple Discussions that 10.6.8 was the REAL problem. I decided that the ultimate fix was to just to GO BACK to 10.6.7....which is what I did, and everything now just works. From what I understand the golden master of Lion STILL has this problem.....so why not wait until 10.7.1 comes out, THEN upgrade. Until then, my Mac Mini running 10.6.7 runs Plex and internet viewing just fine.

I should have mentioned in my original post, that those steps were performed on my Mac Mini 3,1 Early 2009. Not sure that other Macs are affected the same way.

And that did it! I, too, was grabbing the wrong AppleHDA.kext file from the 10.6.7. Thanks for the help!

I tried to apply AppleHDA.kext from 10.6.7 but now I don't have any output sound device. The input and output sound device in the preference panel are empty.

Any advice ??

I tried to restart and reset PRAM but no luck.

thanks

@sebabo: This worked for me. Thanks!!!!!

Hello everyone,

I have the same problem as all of you.
I have a mini (Core2Duo 2.26Ghz (2009) with optical audio + mini-display port --> HDMI.

The sound is cut regularly and can not be retrieved. Unless you restart the Mac !
It's really sad to have all these bugs with Apple!

Hello:

The first thing I have to say is that I'm from Spain so I'm sorry for my english.

I've got a late 2009 Mac Mini and I notice this problem since first week of may. Some day the digital output stopped of working, so I checked the optical wire, the AV decoder, Mac Mini configuration and I realized everything was ok except the led didn't emit any light.

My Mac Mini has stil warranty gave by the reseller (due to the spanish law), I went to the shop and the Mac was shipped to the Apple Technical Service in Madrid.

One month later I recieved my Mac without any change with a note that says "This Mac doesn't need be repaired". I went back to the shop and my Mac was shipped again.

20 days later I recieved the Mac again; the led of the optical output was changed but the first time I tested the sound it didn't work. I turn off the Mac and the AV decoder and unplugged everything, after that the sound has been working right, but today I've tried to play a song and after on second with sound it has stopped and it doesn't work again.

I've just found this post right now and I've tried to restore the AppleHDA.kext with time machine but it hasn't work

I'm not sure the problem is the last update, in any case I can see I'm not the only one with this problem and I hope Apple fix it soon, cause it's lasting 2 months for me (I'm paying Spotify and ADSL flat-fare for nothing)

If you have upgraded it to 10.6.8, then the REAL fix would be to just reinstall and put it BACK to 10.6.7......that is what I had to do....and everything now works. Evidently, the Lion golden master (due out tomorrow?), also has that audio problem......I have no doubt eventually it will get fixed.....but go back to 10.6.7 to fix it now. And your English is excellent.