Did you know that many of the problems we are asked to solve can be traced back to a faulty system update or corrupt system files? While it may sound pretty serious there is usually a very simple way to fix it, reinstall the latest Combo update from Apple.
When Apple is testing Mac OS X updates with its developers they are using the Combo update, which is a package that contains every single update from the day your Mac OS X version was released. However, what they deliver to the end users is normally an incremental update which only contains the changes from say 10.6.1 to 10.6.2. Unless you have a clean install there is a chance that it will replace files it shouldn’t or, on the contrary, that it won’t replace files that have become corrupted and are now causing problems.
The best thing to do if you happen to experience these problems is to reinstall the update, but instead of using the built in Software Update utility which will only give you the incremental update you use the Combo update. The Combo update will replace all the core system files and give you a completely fresh and up to date Mac OS X install that will hopefully make your problems history.
This is also how you fix your computer if an update was interrupted as the Combo update will restore all missing files and make sure they are up to date.
You can download the Combo updates from Apple. It is generally a good idea to repair your permissions before and after installing the update. You can do this in Cocktail by going to the Disks section and selecting Permissions, or if you prefer you can use the built in Disk Utility which comes with Mac OS X. You find it in the Utilities folder in Applications, just select the drive you want to check and press Repair Disk Permissions under First Aid.
When Apple is testing Mac OS X updates with its developers they are using the Combo update, which is a package that contains every single update from the day your Mac OS X version was released. However, what they deliver to the end users is normally an incremental update which only contains the changes from say 10.6.1 to 10.6.2. Unless you have a clean install there is a chance that it will replace files it shouldn’t or, on the contrary, that it won’t replace files that have become corrupted and are now causing problems.
The best thing to do if you happen to experience these problems is to reinstall the update, but instead of using the built in Software Update utility which will only give you the incremental update you use the Combo update. The Combo update will replace all the core system files and give you a completely fresh and up to date Mac OS X install that will hopefully make your problems history.
This is also how you fix your computer if an update was interrupted as the Combo update will restore all missing files and make sure they are up to date.
You can download the Combo updates from Apple. It is generally a good idea to repair your permissions before and after installing the update. You can do this in Cocktail by going to the Disks section and selecting Permissions, or if you prefer you can use the built in Disk Utility which comes with Mac OS X. You find it in the Utilities folder in Applications, just select the drive you want to check and press Repair Disk Permissions under First Aid.
I installed the combo version. The system is running smoother now. Thank you.
Posted by: Austin Cooper | December 16, 2009 at 04:17 AM
Good info. Thanks!
Posted by: p3squid | December 16, 2009 at 05:16 AM
I agree, try this before doing an archive and install. It can save you a lot of time without putting you data at risk.
Posted by: Tucker | December 16, 2009 at 09:56 AM
>>It is generally a good idea to repair your permissions before and after installing the update.
There are some sources that say this is entirely unnecessary. Please can you comment on why you think it is a good idea to do so.
Posted by: Rory Choudhuri | December 16, 2009 at 10:36 AM
Great stuff... we added you to the Blarchive
Posted by: Tony C. | December 16, 2009 at 01:43 PM
Really like Cocktail and it's courteous and quick support staff. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Bill | January 09, 2010 at 06:26 PM
Is it still necessary to do the Combo Updates even if you regularly do Software Updates?
Posted by: Bill | January 09, 2010 at 06:32 PM
Bill, it's not a necessary to do it all the time. However, if you do encounter problems with your Mac OS X install this should be one of the first things you try as it can magically fix all sorts of problems!
Posted by: Mikael Mannberg | January 11, 2010 at 04:40 PM