I had tried installing xcode previously but there was a network interruption.
Now, when I try to update it in "App Store", I get a "failed to download" error, suggesting I "use the purchases page to try again". But using that page produces the same error.
I've tried the menu item "check for unfinished downloads" but that suggests that everything is up to date.
Is there a way out of this?
Back up all data.
I've tested these instructions only with the Safari web browser. If you use another browser, they may not work as described.
Triple-click anywhere in the line below on this page to select it:
open $TMPDIR../C
Copy the selected text to the Clipboard (command-C).
Launch the Terminal application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Terminal in the icon grid.
Paste into the Terminal window (command-V). A folder should open. From that folder, delete the subfolder named "com.apple.appstore".
Quit Terminal. Launch the App Store and try again.
Back up all data.
I've tested these instructions only with the Safari web browser. If you use another browser, they may not work as described.
Triple-click anywhere in the line below on this page to select it:
open $TMPDIR../C
Copy the selected text to the Clipboard (command-C).
Launch the Terminal application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Terminal in the icon grid.
Paste into the Terminal window (command-V). A folder should open. From that folder, delete the subfolder named "com.apple.appstore".
Quit Terminal. Launch the App Store and try again.
I got it working by other means that are not entirely clear to me in retrospect, so I cannot say whether this works.
What I can say, however, is that this reply is both generous and wonderfully detailed. As it turns out, I've been a unix user since the "ed" days so I didn't need the hints on starting the terminal, etc., but otherwise I would have this level of detail to be enormously helpful.
I looked at other answers by Linc Davis, and see advice on the problem of OSX mail beachball-spinning. Maybe I'll look into that. Linc Davis, my new hero!
Dear Linc
I had the same problem like Dan and the procedure you decribed solved it immediately. Thank you very much for your advice.
Best
Goetz
I had the same problem with an update to Pixelmator. Following this tip solved the problem.
Thanks Linc
Thanks for this, pointed me in the right direction
For the console users out there, in terminal just go to ~/Library/Caches/ and delete the com.apple.appstore
Just an update, I was attempting to get the server update installed, it was stalled. Eventually I had to open launchpad and try to delete Server, this froze launchpad and all other apps, I then rebooted the server with ARD and bingo after reboot I was able to finish the download and get Server updated. Oddness.
app store "update" fails to download
