Techsurvivors

Archives => 2003 => Topic started by: pendragon on May 09, 2003, 02:58:00 PM

Title: OS X Combo Updater
Post by: pendragon on May 09, 2003, 02:58:00 PM
I see on MFI and a few other sites, that some believe it wise (preferable) to use the OS Combo updater, especially if one has been experiencing problems. Apparently, the Combo updater will fix a myriad of problems that the updater available via the System Preferences does not. Often the counsel then goes on to suggest that those with problems may wish to reinstall the OS; this time with the Combo updater.

And so to the question. Is it OK to reinstall the OS over an existing OS of the same version? Or, is that just asking for trouble?

Waddya think?

Curious Harv  
 
 [ 05-09-2003, 04:00 PM: Message edited by: pendragon ]
Title: OS X Combo Updater
Post by: Spartacus on May 10, 2003, 04:21:19 AM
When installing OS X there is an option called something like "archive and install".
If you select that option you can install a new OS over the existing OS.

Personally, I'd alway go for a clean install.

As to the combo installer, I never had a problem with the software update via control panel.
Title: OS X Combo Updater
Post by: Al on May 10, 2003, 04:42:26 AM
Not exactly what your looking for, but on Thursday night I updated the families beige G3 from 10.2.4 directly to 10.2.6 via software update (SU).

While updating, SU told me that it was downloading the combo updater.  All went smooth as silk.

Still am hesitant to update my server, because the last time I updated to 10.2.4 the updater fried a file for PHP (or was it for MySQL?) and it took me a long time to get the server back up.  wallbash.gif  :whistle:
Title: OS X Combo Updater
Post by: pendragon on May 10, 2003, 06:02:29 AM
Sorry all. I was not clear enough. I have installed OSX updaters both ways on two different drives and have no problems. Installing the OS or the updaters per-se is not the issue. The issue pertains to reinstalling an updater over an already updated/current OS.

What I want to know relates to what I should advise others to do.

If they have already updated their OS via the System Preferences updater and are presently having problems, is it OK to suggest they try re-updating via the Combo updater? If the OS has already been updated, will the Combo updater even work or will it indicate the OS has already been updated and then quit? huh.gif

Harv
Title: OS X Combo Updater
Post by: ClayEM on May 10, 2003, 09:50:37 AM
Harv,
For info only...
After the last several updates by using Software Update, and even though all seemed to go okay with no problems, when the Combo updater became available, I elected to run it over the already installed update. I did this after at least the last three updates, and all went well each time...i selected no options (not sure there were any) and had no problems.

Clay
Title: OS X Combo Updater
Post by: Bruce_F on May 10, 2003, 11:33:44 AM
I'm another who "usually" lets System Updater do the job. After reading all the hoopla over Combo vs Incremental, I decided to run the Combo on top of the already updated system.

After the Combo update, it seems to me my computer is quicker. But it could all be in my mind.

One thing I didn't care for is how the Combo updater messed with my Finder preferences. I had to go looking for all the custom settings and change them back again.
Title: OS X Combo Updater
Post by: kps on May 10, 2003, 12:16:13 PM
Good thread, thanks Harv.

I, like Bruce_F,  just let Software Update do the work.  Haven't had any problems.

I just used SU to update my 12" Powerbook. OS X update, QuickTime 6.2 and iTunes 4 all in one shot. Everything's cool. smile.gif
Title: OS X Combo Updater
Post by: daffy on May 10, 2003, 05:14:35 PM
Pendragon, I was very glad to see this thread as I have been pondering the same question.

I have already installed 10.2.6 update & a friend with fast cable download is getting the combo 10.2.6 for me.

I 've read on macFixit's page that the combo has more innards to it  & fixes a lot of minor inner stuff we don't even know about.

Anyway, this thread has given me the confidence to go ahead & install over the 10.2.6 update. I backed up my Home folder a couple of days ago.
Title: OS X Combo Updater
Post by: Randy B. Singer on May 10, 2003, 08:16:38 PM
Not only can you apply the Combo Updater to a version of the OS that has already been updated to that version, but I am told that doing so quite often fixes minor problems that have come about as the result of updating to a new version of Mac OS X.

For more info on troubleshooting OS X, have a look at:

http://www.macattorney.com/tutorial.html
Title: OS X Combo Updater
Post by: MamaMoose on May 11, 2003, 04:14:51 AM
I have previously described my printer problems when I updated to OS 10.2.5 and then to OS 10.2.6 via the update CP. After reading the MacFixit article, I updated 10.2.6 usin the 10.2.6 combo updater. No joy! But no harm was done to my system and I did pick up some additional files not in the original CP updater.

MamaMoose
Title: OS X Combo Updater
Post by: pendragon on May 11, 2003, 07:35:49 AM
A special thanx.gif to Randy and Mama. That is precisely the information I was looking for.

And even though I am not (now) having problems, I will give it a try in the next day or two and then post my results.

Harv
Title: OS X Combo Updater
Post by: kps on May 11, 2003, 10:35:36 AM
Downloaded the 86MB 'Combo' update and ran it on 10.2.6 on my 'tower'....

...followed by DU's repair permissions, it repaired the same permissions as before...go figure.

As my system was running fine before, I expect it to continue doing so after this. biggrin.gif Since I plan to replace the tower's original 10GB harddrive, the 'combo' will come in handy.
Title: OS X Combo Updater
Post by: Bruce_F on May 11, 2003, 10:41:39 AM
kps,

Did you notice any changes in your Finder preferences after running the Combo Updater?
Title: OS X Combo Updater
Post by: kps on May 11, 2003, 10:48:36 AM
Nope, same settings as before...it kept my prefs.

Although it did show the HD in iconview right after the reboot. I clicked column view in the window and that was it...but my Finder prefs are set to show column view always and the pref remained checked even after the update. As I said...no issues at this time.
Title: OS X Combo Updater
Post by: pendragon on May 12, 2003, 01:11:15 PM
It was just like the experts said it would be. notworthy.gif

I installed the 10.2.6 Combo updater over a 10.2.6 that was updated via the System Preferences.

No changes/differences for better or worse are yet evident.

Harv
Title: OS X Combo Updater
Post by: taliesin on May 12, 2003, 05:00:22 PM
Having seen this I've decided not to be idle and run the combo after all.
I usually do, but this time round I did virtually the same as Karl, especially since the update was for once so, ahem ... "small"?
Normally I fetch the combo anyway for safe keeping.