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Has anyone had crashes during OS X software updates?

Recently, I've updated my MacBookPro to OSX 10.7 . After a few weeks, the software update program notified me that I had an install pending (security updates, JAVA update and 1 more I think). I dutifully downloaded the updates and Software Update told me that I had to restart the computer. So I did. The computer restarted and began with the "Installing Updates" message and progress bar. Part way through the install, the process hung. An hour later it was still at the same place. Had to leave so shut down. Now can't the computer to start normally. Attached it to home computer via Target Disk mode and used disk utility, but still no luck.


Then today I was reconnecting a old iMac running OSX 10.5 to my home network. All started up normally, I was again notified by software update to install the OS Security update and JAVA updates. After the download and the restart, the install progress bar started up. 1/4 of the way through the entire process hung again! Now this iMac is also unable to start!


So 2 of 3 computers are now out of commission because of installing updates that did not install properly. How very very frustrating. I have now experienced this twice. Has anyone else out there had this issue? Any recommendations? Because it seems that no one knows anything about how to fix this issue except to wipe the disks, reinstall the OS and lose all the data. Help!


HJO


PS Now I'm trying to connect the laptop to my last working computer via target disk mode to copy off the document files, and the transfer is hanging up somewhere in the Firewire system. I got a vew files over but it has taken hours and hours. Aaaarrrrgggghhhh.

MacBook, iMacx2, iBook, 2006

Posted on Oct 14, 2012 4:21 PM

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6 replies

Oct 14, 2012 4:57 PM in response to hjortega

Well don't update your last computer.


I suspect there is a problem with your router/home network, perhaps it was compromised or the router is failing.


Some older routers have a file size download limit, I think it was old Rogers routers if I recall, I've seen this problem here before, it just cuts off after a certain limit.


So here you go updating and the file download is not complete and bricks your machine.



also 10.5 is outdated and insecure, you need to get the files off that machine and call Apple for the 10.6.3 white retail disks if it's a Intel Mac.


I would consider all your machines and network compromised and requiring full resets of everything to leave no stone unturned.


I would get a new router, make it super secure first apply it's firmware updates and very secure WiFi (WPA2 AES), test the Internet connection and your ISP speeds are whay your paying for.


Then data recovery on each machine, then wipe and install OS X (10.6.8 at least) on each and then use ClamXav to scan the possibly infected files and vet them before returning to the cleaned machines.


Don't use any sort of migration or TimeMachine business, just bare bones files that don't have executable code.



It's ok, all this can be fixed. All files recovered and everything back to normal.


Break the job up and tackle each piece, or if your not willing, call in a local PC/Mac specialist, they will fix you right up.



Step by Step to fix your Mac


Most commonly used backup methods


My computer is dead, is my personal data lost?


Create a data recovery/undelete external boot drive


WiFi security issues, at home and WiFi hotspots


Reducing bad sectors effect on hard drives


Why is my computer slow?


Install/upgrade RAM or storage drive in Mac's

Oct 14, 2012 6:00 PM in response to hjortega

hjortega wrote:


Recently, I've updated my MacBookPro to OSX 10.7 . After a few weeks, the software update program notified me that I had an install pending (security updates, JAVA update and 1 more I think). I dutifully downloaded the updates and Software Update told me that I had to restart the computer. So I did. The computer restarted and began with the "Installing Updates" message and progress bar. Part way through the install, the process hung. An hour later it was still at the same place. Had to leave so shut down.

If this had been me I would not have shut it down for twenty-four hours. I have observed my computer to appear to hang at this point, but left it and went to bed. It was completely updated when I got up the next morning, but I didn't check the log to see how long it took.


I seem to remember doing what you did many years ago and that turned out OK, but I'm pretty sure it was before OS X.


ds store's suggestions should get you back in business.

Oct 14, 2012 7:02 PM in response to ds store

The two machines were updated on completely different internet connections. The iMac was from my home network - Apple Time Capsule using WPA2 security with a Time Warner Cable modem (Arris TMG502). The MacBookPro was over a hotel's wireless network on a business trip in VT. They both have been Norton Antivirus scanned, as well. But both hung during the "Install" phase.


I have an external drive to copy files onto but I can't seem to get past the hang in the firewire target disk mode. I'll give your suggestions a try for data recovery. Thanks.

HJO

Oct 14, 2012 7:12 PM in response to hjortega

hjortega wrote:


They both have been Norton Antivirus scanned, as well.


Well the other shoe drops, the worst piece of software for Mac's ever and complaints from numerous Mac folks everywhere.


Norton


Uninstall it using their uninstaller from all your machines and rebuild, it's highly restrictive, problematic and most certainly blocked something in OS X to run normally.


No wonder nothing worked. 😁



Run a "as you need it" antivirus like the free ClamXav, it's not like Mac's get a whole lot of malware, just needs a occassianal scan to get the Windows filth off and that's just about it really.

Oct 14, 2012 7:10 PM in response to hjortega

hjortega wrote:


The two machines were updated on completely different internet connections. The iMac was from my home network - Apple Time Capsule using WPA2 security with a Time Warner Cable modem (Arris TMG502). The MacBookPro was over a hotel's wireless network on a business trip in VT. They both have been Norton Antivirus scanned, as well. But both hung during the "Install" phase.

There's a good chance that Norton was what caused it to hang. Apple advises users to disable A-V software when performing updates. The way I do that is to boot into "Safe Mode" (shift key down) to avoid any unnecessary processes form interupting.


I don't believe Norton is as evil as most of contributing users here do, but it's well documented that it can interfer with installations.

Has anyone had crashes during OS X software updates?

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