DP 5.12 and Mac OSX 10.4.10

Frodo · Post by **Frodo** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 4:37 pm

Dubnick wrote:I get the impression that the plists that DW has listed as corrupted on my computer are kind of meaningless - the thing that wierded me out is that the appeared to come from software/companies I don't own, use or know of, but the list was consistent on both my G5 and G4 - maybe we could share our list and see if they're the same. If you still have Applecare, maybe you should give them a ring and ask them what the those preferences belong to? Just a thought.

And a great thought it is!

Yes, I don't recognize any of the plist files-- and even saw one that started with "com.tc....". I don't even have anything from TC, if that's what the tc stands for. There are 'com.MOTU..." plists that checked out fine (and that has generated considerable elation).

It's sort of late in the day to call Apple, so what I may do shortly is do a search in my installer logs to see when these files were installed and with what app. If it's OSX, then I may just follow PeterMcCStrat's lead and do a Combo Update. I've got nothing much to lose at the moment, and numerous users (including magicd) are reporting success after giving the procedure great care. If that doesn't work, I'll be all over Apple in the morning.

The nicest thing with the MacPro is that I've not installed very much on it, so that may narrow the search considerably.

Will report back soon...

robstudio · Post by **robstudio** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 6:25 pm

I'm going to try the update on my test partition to see if it fixes my usb laser printer that won't work after 10.3... will report on any bumbles...(after my back ups finish, that is)
Regards, Rob
Ps and yes I got the combo update, Thanks guys

Frodo · Post by **Frodo** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 7:53 pm

Frodo wrote:
Dubnick wrote:I get the impression that the plists that DW has listed as corrupted on my computer are kind of meaningless - the thing that wierded me out is that the appeared to come from software/companies I don't own, use or know of, but the list was consistent on both my G5 and G4 - ...

That they were both on your G4 and G5 adds a layer of curiosity to all of this.

I've gone through my install logs and cannot find any of these broken plists listed anywhere. I've Googled myself silly and came up with nothing whatsover... except for something called Nets Systems Inc, which turned out to be a fisherman's supply site!

In any case, here are my defunct plists which have been removed from the Preferences and store elsewhere in their own folder.

com.calledesign.sickle.plist
com.Largein.Thoric.plist
com.NetsSystemsInc.DataSoftware.plist
com.SysternatumsCorproation.GoldenLogic.plist
com.tcsilingsdevelopment.selfsame.plist

I'll need another day to run DP projects to see if there is any improvement with the crashes-- and/or these audio swells that are driving me nuts.

richardein · Post by **richardein** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 4:02 am

Frodo,

FWIW, I checked my powerbook g4 and I have none of those plists.

pb g4 167 2 gigs dp5.12, ivory, kontakt player, kontakt2, timewarp2600, london solo strings, sibelius, finale, etc, etc.

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 9:39 am

I've only been skimming this thread, and don't know if this has been covered, but there's a freeware app called Preferential Treatment that will discover and report on corrupt Pref files, and even let you send them to the trash.

Frodo · Post by **Frodo** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:28 am

Sounds great, Jim. Thanks! I'll check it out.

Thanks, Richard.

I've evicted the odd plists and am waiting to see how things play out over longer sessions. Honestly, I'm not quite sure what this will improve, but it can't be good to have irreparable files clogging things up.

Has anyone had any trouble with their NI authorizations going south when upgrading the OS?

Shooshie · Post by **Shooshie** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:43 am

Frodo wrote:Sounds great, Jim. Thanks! I'll check it out.

Thanks, Richard.

I've evicted the odd plists and am waiting to see how things play out over longer sessions. Honestly, I'm not quite sure what this will improve, but it can't be good to have irreparable files clogging things up.

Has anyone had any trouble with their NI authorizations going south when upgrading the OS?

No, not here.

rikp · Post by **rikp** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:51 am

Jim wrote:I've only been skimming this thread, and don't know if this has been covered, but there's a freeware app called Preferential Treatment that will discover and report on corrupt Pref files, and even let you send them to the trash.

It is a great program, I use it every week on my weekly Mac check over. I highly reccommend it!

Peace

rikp

Frodo · Post by **Frodo** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 1:11 pm

hey-- just fyi -- and ONLY fyi where applicable:

RE: OS 10.4.10

Identifying file modifications of the OS update, downgrading to earlier components, and possible fixes for audio pops and clicks
http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?sto ... 2084922319

Audio issues, possible app launch failure
http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?sto ... 1085315862

Dave Bourke · Post by **Dave Bourke** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 2:37 pm

My experience, for what it's worth:

I migrated to OS X at 10.3.3. I've always used Combo Updaters and I've never had a single problem after an update.

I've used TechTool Pro since I moved to OS X (as well as DiskWarrior). I've never had a problem.

The "Optimisation" that installers do is pre-binding, not defragging.

The only corrupt .plist file that DW reports on my systems is the one belonging to LittleSnitch. It isn't actually corrupt ••“ it's just that Objective Development use the .plist format to store essential information in a non-standard way.

@ Frodo: a quick Google of those .com names seems to suggest that some of them may belong to domain name vendors. Another one seems to be an icons developer (Calle Design). Are you the only person who has access to your Mac? Is your firewall turned on and set to Stealth Mode?

I would strongly suggest that, even if you are the only user, you disable Automatic Log-in. I know of one case where a security guard with a master key was entering a facility with unprotected Macs and downloading porn, pirated movies, and music onto his own FW drive. All kinds of odd crap started turning up on the machines. Only a close examination of the system logs revealed what was going on.

Edit: also, remember that a Mac can be remotely logged into. Automatic Log-in is not a good idea for machines connected to a network.

Kind regards.

Frodo · Post by **Frodo** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:08 pm

Brilliant post, David. Thanks so much.

I've separated "calledesign" to "calle design" in Google Search and found at least one reference to some interior design website. For that reason, I'm less reluctant to toss the plists because I have no design software on my computer and have no interest in interior design-- at least not of the variety Calle Design appears to show emphasis. I do have C4D on my G5, but am not experiencing wonky plists there.

Internet access is quite limited on my MacPro, and I don't disagree that automatic log in is not the wisest way to go. Again here-- some people may never experience any problems with it, the same way you've never had a problem using DW and TTP in combo. But all it takes is one single bad experience and your entire take on matters otherwise taken for granted changes forever.

I can't say that I'm still having certain system problems just yet-- these things can crop up without warning at any time, so I'm still riding the waves of hope here.

As a matter apart from this, I am monitoring DP's behaviors as well-- such longstanding behaviors as audio surges which may not be related to plist corruption at all. Crash on boot is still a concern as well.

But, I'm at a point where I've already put in another internal drive to create a fresh new root drive- basically to start over from scratch. So, it's off to roll up those sleeves and to crack those knuckles once again.

One last thought-- the reports of 10.4.9 and 10.4.10 delivering pops and clicks with audio can no longer be isolated to built-in audio. I've experienced this already with iTunes and DP running through my audio card as well as with built-in.

I'm determined to get all these little dings knocked out once and for all.

Cheers!

dosuna11 · Post by **dosuna11** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:11 pm

I sagged this off Macfixit

Mac OS X 10.4.10 (#3): Important files modified by this update, downgrading components; possible fix for audio pops
Important files modified by this update, downgrading components As with all significant updates, it is important to take note of which files are modified by Mac OS X 10.4.10 so that if a problem occurs after its installation, you can reasonably surmise whether or not there is a potential that the update was culpable. For instance, the update has caused audio issues for a number of users -- a problem that can potentially (albeit not necessarily) be linked to the update's modification of the audio input/output kernel extension: /System/Library/Extensions/IOAudioFamily.kext.

If you are experiencing major problems you believe to be caused by a specific component, you can downgrade it to an earlier version via this process:

Download the appropriate Mac OS X 10.4.9 combo updater from Apple's download page.
Download and install the shareware application Pacifist
Drag the Mac OS X combo installer package (e.g. MacOSXUpd10.4.9Intel.pkg) onto the Pacifist application icon.
Scan the list of installed files for items that might be causing your problem by clicking on the disclosure triangles. As mentioned above, /System/Library/Extensions/IOAudioFamily.kext might be implicated in an audio issue, for instance. Pay particular attention to >/System/Library/CoreServices, /System/Library/Extensions(files stored here are kernel extensions -- items that are used to interact through an abstraction layer with the Mac OS X kernel, and can be implicated in kernel panics and other issues) and /System/Library/Frameworks
Find the file you are looking for by clicking the disclosure triangles to reveal the targeted location.
Select the file in question and click the Install button in Pacifist. You will be required to enter your administrator password.
Restart your Mac
You should generally not mix and match components from different system versions because of potential compatibility issues. You will also lose any refinements brought about by the revision. Still, in a bind, replacing newer items with older ones can solve otherwise insoluble issues.

Here is a partial list of important files modified by Mac OS X 10.4.10:

/Applications

Address Book
Internet Connect
/System/Library/Extensions/ (these kernel extensions control a bevy of functionality -- check here if you are having problems with graphics cards, audio, AirPort networking, external USB/FireWire devices and more)

webdav_fs.kext
smbfs.kext
System.kext
IPFirewall.kext
IOUSBMassStorageClass.kext
IOUSBFamily.kext
IOSerialFamily.kext
IOHIDFamily.kext
IOSCSIParallelFamily.kext
IONetworkingFamily.kext
IOAudioFamily.kext
AppleSMC.kext
AppleOnboardDisplay.kext
AppleSmartBatteryManager.kext
AppleSMBIOS.kext
ATIRadeon9700.kext
IOSCSIArchitectureModelFamily.kext
IOPlatformPluginFamily.kext
ATIRadeon.kext
IOGraphicsFamily.kext
IOFireWireFamily.kext
AppleAirPort.kext
AppleFWAudio.kext
AppleFileSystemDriver.kext
AppleBacklight.kext
AppleIntelGMA950.kext
AppleHDA.kext
(many more)
/System/Library/Filesystems (check here if you are having problems with mounting certain disks or shared volumes)

smbfs.fs
URLMount
ufs.fs
AppleShare
webdav.fs
/sbin (more filesystem mounting components [and other important pieces] are here. You may need to replace items here and in /System/Library/Filesystems. For instance, if you are having problems mounting SMB filesystems, try replacing mount_smbfs here and smbfs.fs in /System/Library/Filesystems)
slattach
mount_afp
mount_webdav
ifconfig
routed
rtsol
ipfw
nfsd
mount_smbfs
nfsiod
ping6
route
ip6fw
ping
fsck
More on audio pops, potential fix If you are having problems with audio pops, distortion, etc., try downgrading the /System/Library/Extensions/IOAudioFamily.kext file as mentioned in the section above. Reader reports of the problem continue to flood in, making it one of the most prominent issues with Mac OS X 10.4.10.

One reader writes:

"On my iMac 1.83 Intel Core Duo I also have the annoying audio pops. Every time I start a song in iTunes, first you here a pop (or tic, whatever you call it). Also, when there is no music, every 1-2 minutes you hear a pop. Never had it before, just after the update to 10.4.10."

MacFixIt reader Bryan adds:

"I've had the speaker pop problem suddenly appear after installing 10.4.10. It's a faint pop every few minutes.. like the speaker's lost electricity for just a moment then regains it. This is on my Mac mini core duo 1.66 (first intel generation)."

Tristan writes:

"i am also experiencing a pop sound with my speakers that are always hooked up to my 1st gen rev a macbook. The pop occurs just before actual sound is used, and a short time after, they behave almost as if it is the speakers turning on and off before and after being used, although that is certainly not the case, i'm just trying to find a way to describe the behavior. Up until the recent update there have been no issues in the year that i have run this laptop"

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

Previous coverage:

Mac OS X 10.4.10 (#2): Audio problems -- poor quality; Wireless issues; App launch failure; more
Mac OS X 10.4.10 released: USB, third-party software, security improvements
Mail Story to a Friend
4 comments Most Recent Post: 06/22 01:16PM by bruce.mckenzie_dotmac

Late-Breakers
Odds and Ends: Apple Knowledge base updates
#93123 iTunes: How to convert a song to a different file format
#25667 Mac OS X: Can't access Help content, or content is blank or missing links
#25650 Mac OS X: Printing to an HP printer with binary PostScript
#25609 Mac OS X 10.3: Printer Sharing shares both printers and faxes
#305709 Motion: Compressor does not start after using earlier Motion Content installer
#305533 About the Mac OS X 10.4.10 Update (delta)
#305631 About the security content of Apple TV 1.1
#61766 iSync: Syncing two Macs with iSync and .Mac

Frodo · Post by **Frodo** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:30 pm

hey dosuna-- thanks!

I'm not sure if you got there thru my link above or if we happened upon the same doc without planning it.

That's definitely the same article-- and some pretty serious "geeky" advice there. I'm currently giving it the old college try-- and am doing all of internet stuff right now from my laptop.

At some point, though-- as our friend Mr. Shooshie has pointed out-- that you just get to a saturation point. They say if you want to find the needle in a haystack, the best way to go about it is to just burn the haystack. I really ready to start from scratch if that will do the trick.

Gabe S. · Post by **Gabe S.** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:30 pm

Hi guys.

Add me to the list of people who have gotten hosed by TTPro4....no more for me thank you. I've been going along with DiskWarrior and idefrag.

Drive Genius looks interesting. Never even heard of it.....so much software out there now......and to think, I thought the world was ending when Norton decided to bag NU for Mac....

Cheers.
-gabe

PS. Something odd happened yesterday without any OS upgrades......my Kontakt Player 2 libs all lost their authorizations........stuff like QLSO and StormDrums work fine inside K2, but libs like AIR just stopped working and say they aren't authorized.....I called tech support.....they just recommended uninstalling and reinstalling......this is on my MacPro 8 core, 10.4.9......

Diazruanova · Post by **Diazruanova** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:37 pm

Since I started this topic, I have been carefully following on Macfixit and also on the Apple forums, the reports about the Pops and the Audio quality, and yes, this is a post update issue that lots and lots of people are having, me included.
My experience is only when opening or quiting audio programs:
A not very loud low frequency pop sounds before and/or after but NOT while the programs are running and that includes DP 5.1.2, MSI 1.1.3 and iTunes.
It seems to happen mainly with external speakers attached to the Main Outs and it is either affecting PPC and Intel machines alike.
It is kind of annoying but not show stopping by any means.

Regarding the preferences, I second Preferential Treatment, but it detects as "corrupt" a couple of plist‘s that belong Motu Symphonic Instrument and despite throwing them to the trash, they re-appear supposedly "corrupt", which makes me think that PT detects some plists as damaged even when they are not, so I simply pay no attention as long as MSI works fine.

There is btw this other program that makes the same and much more than DW and it is DriveGenius which from my experience, has proved to be a great product.

Just my 2 cents