So is it safe to run 10.6.8 combo update on a 10.6.8 system?

My stock answer is to make a 100% bootable backup clone of your drive (as you should before doing anything to your computer in any situation) then try. If you're living without a OS installer disc then you're living life dangerously as it is because your drive could go at any time and then you'll be back to Tiger.

Runing the 10.6.8 Combo Update won't hurt a bit.

However you should seriously consider getting a bootable clone drive or two.

Most commonly used backup methods

Welcome to Apple Support Communities.

Though not directly related to your question/issue with System Preferences, be aware that the OS X Combo Update 10.6.8 v1.1 does not include the last release of Safari 5.1.7, and Software Update will not offer to install it.

If you're currently using Safari 5.1.7, it will be overwritten by Safari 5.0.5, and a few things will get wonky, in particular, the + sign to add a bookmark will often disappear.

Re-downloading and restoring Safari 5.1.7 at this non-Apple link from a reliable Mac software vendor will restore full functionality. Use Download Older Version to get Safari 5.1.7 for OS X 10.6.8.

http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/15675/apple-safari

I don't think applying or reapplying the 10.6.8 Combo will overwrite the Safari 5.1.7.

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1569kostby wrote

Re-downloading and restoring Safari 5.1.7 at this non-Apple link from a reliable Mac software vendor will restore full functionality. Use Download Older Version to get Safari 5.1.7 for OS X 10.6.8.

http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/15675/apple-safari

Wrong. Stop posting that misinformation. Safari 5.1.7 for SL is available at http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1569

teahousemoon wrote:

I do not have a 10.6.3 installation disc (only 10.4.7, which I would prefer not to revert to) Likewise, I want to keep my personal files intact.

Then, do yourself a favor and buy it for $20 USD from Apple;s online store's telesales agents: 1-800-MY-APPLE (1-800-692-7753) or Customer Service and Sales Support at 1-800-676-2775.

WZZZ wrote:

I don't think applying or reapplying the 10.6.8 Combo will overwrite the Safari 5.1.7.

IIRC, it shouldn't. However, since I wanted it because I can't the loss of the Downloads window and other so-called iOS improvements of later versions, I moved it out of /Applications, reinstalled the COMBO, and got a usable Safari.😉

WZZZ and baltwo,

Thanks for your feedback.

Maybe the OS X 10.6.8 combo update v1.1 is not supposed to overwrite an installed version of Safari, but it did on my mid-2007 MacBook 2,1.

I upgraded to OS X 10.6.3 from a retail upgrade disk sometime shortly after the 10.6.3 retail package was released.

I installed the OS X 10.6.8 combo update in early 2012, and subsequently installed the later Safari updates related to Flashback. On August 20th, 2012, I was running Safari 5.1.7.

Then I changed internet providers and did not connect again until the morning of August 23rd.

Trying to cure an issue related to some networked printers, I downloaded and re-installed the OS X 10.6.8 update combo v1.1 on August 23rd, 2012.

The combo update DID overwrite Safari 5.1.7 with 5.0.5.

The reason I realized something was different was because I noticed that the + sign to add a bookmark often disappeared from my toolbar, even after I reinstalled the default toolbar.

When I checked Safari, About Safari, 5.0.5 was installed, not 5.1.7.

Running Software Update did not offer to install any Safari updates.

I attempted to find Mac OS X 10.6.8 Safari 5.1.7 on the Apple site, so I could re-download and reinstall, but was only successful in finding a link to Safari for Windows 5.1.7 after multiple searches on two different occasions.

Sorry to cause so much trouble.

Please tell me who I contact to remove this account and all my misinformation, because I certainly don't want to leave any trace of bad information behind.

As I noted, I said it shouldn't have overwritten a newer version and in my case when I reinstalled to get 5.0.5 back, I had moved 5.1.7. As for the posts, don't worry about it. I've pointed out that the updater exists. Sorry, if I jumped too hare on your submission and thank you for the reasoned response. I attribute it all to my new chemo meds.

I attribute it all to my new chemo meds.

Sorry to hear that. Hope you are well soon.

If you can't give me the contact, I understand, but please forward my request to the appropriate admin to have my account disabled and my info removed.

kostby wrote:

If you can't give me the contact, I understand, but please forward my request to the appropriate admin to have my account disabled and my info removed.

There's nothing so horrible there that requires anything like that. We all post misinformation at times. You need to go easier on yourself. You're OK. 🙂

Long, drawn out process, but I'm well past expected efficacy and not something I discuss or dwell upon. Sometimes I don't know that anything's amiss. Just continue to hang on, waking each day, and pushing the envelope. 😉