Installed Updates and Now Have Big Problems With Macbook

Hello,

My wife installed updates using the auto-update utility...I believe it was iTunes 10 and maybe something else...Quicktime? Unfortunately, she doesn't even know...she was asked to update and she clicked yes.

What a disaster. This is a Macbook bought in late 2007 with Intel duo...probably 2.83 ghz if I recall correctly. We never bought a new operating system, but I can't tell you what version I'm running. Read and you will see why.

Here are the problems:

1) The dock has disappeared. This isn't because it is hidden. Dock preferences shows that the auto hide is off, and even if I change the location from bottom (which is checked) to side, it doesn't work. When I go back into preferences, "bottom" is still checked.

2) A click on "about this mac" does not produce anything. The menu disappears but nothing happens. (Thus I can't see what OS I'm running.)

3) I cannot drag icons to move them.

4) Various programs will not run. I am getting an error code -600 on some of them, but others just won't launch. Other times I get a message that the system is updating (or something like that).

5) I can't open a document directly from email.

6) I cannot minimize any window.

7) I cannot shut down, sleep, or log off. A forced restart (holding down the power button) is necessary each time.

8) I was able to open the Activity Monitor once (but now can't open it) and it showed almost every application running. Yikes!


I hope someone could help. I am not really that good with Macs. With Windows I would just restore to a prior point. Had I known that Macs didn't have this automatic restore point, I would have done the Time Machine thing. As it is now, there is no backup or anything like that. If I need to restore the computer, does this wipe out all my data (photos, music, etc)?

I really appreciate any help that I can get on this...thanks!

I would download the "combo" update for your OS and apply that. Hopefully that will resolve your issues. Do you have ANY idea which version of OS X you have? It should be Leopard (10.5.x) unless you upgraded to Snow Leopard (10.6.x) since buying it. Here are the relevant links:
Mac OS X 10.5.8 Combo Update
Mac OS X v10.6.4 Update (Combo)

lifeisabeach said:

I would download the "combo" update for your OS and apply that. Hopefully that will resolve your issues. Do you have ANY idea which version of OS X you have? It should be Leopard (10.5.x) unless you upgraded to Snow Leopard (10.6.x) since buying it. Here are the relevant links:
Mac OS X 10.5.8 Combo Update
Mac OS X v10.6.4 Update (Combo)

Click to expand...

It is Leopard...I never upgraded to Snow Leopard. I'm fairly sure that I have installed updates to the OS, but not sure if the combo was installed. I do know that I tried once to update to the latest version of Safari, but was unable to do so since I did not upgrade to Snow Leopard. (To be honest, I'm not into paying the $200 or so to upgrade since I paid $1500 for the machine only about three years ago. Yes, I am cheap, but I figured the $1500 would keep me going for a while...this machine is used casually, not for intensive purposes.)

Thanks!

I am sure an installation disc came with your computer, just insert it and reinstall OSX. Reinstalling will not remove anything, but more like repair the OSX.

jazzyj said:

It is Leopard...I never upgraded to Snow Leopard. I'm fairly sure that I have installed updates to the OS, but not sure if the combo was installed. I do know that I tried once to update to the latest version of Safari, but was unable to do so since I did not upgrade to Snow Leopard. (To be honest, I'm not into paying the $200 or so to upgrade since I paid $1500 for the machine only about three years ago. Yes, I am cheap, but I figured the $1500 would keep me going for a while...this machine is used casually, not for intensive purposes.)

Thanks!

Click to expand...

Snow Leopard is $29 to Leopard owners, not $200. If you like that price better, then just go ahead and upgrade. If not, try the 10.5.8 combo update and see if it resolves the problems.

Tarek said:

I am sure an installation disc came with your computer, just insert it and reinstall OSX. Reinstalling will not remove anything, but more like repair the OSX.

Click to expand...

Thanks, Tarek.

Before I do that I think I would want to back up everything anyway. Pardon my ignorance, but what is the best way to back everything up? I would die (actually, my wife would kill me) if I lost the family photos.

lifeisabeach said:

Snow Leopard is $29 to Leopard owners, not $200. If you like that price better, then just go ahead and upgrade. If not, try the 10.5.8 combo update and see if it resolves the problems.

Click to expand...

$29 I could swallow.

Should I try to first reinstall the original operating system, or do you think the Snow Leopard upgrade would do the trick?

jazzyj said:

$29 I could swallow.

Should I try to first reinstall the original operating system, or do you think the Snow Leopard upgrade would do the trick?

Click to expand...

There is no need to reinstall Leopard first. You should, as a matter of good computing practice, back up your important files first. They should remain safely in place after the upgrade, but you should ALWAYS be prepared in case something happens rather than just hope for the best. Hard drives do crash, often unexpectedly, and if you don't have backups now, you are vulnerable NOW to losing your stuff.

lifeisabeach said:

There is no need to reinstall Leopard first. You should, as a matter of good computing practice, back up your important files first. They should remain safely in place after the upgrade, but you should ALWAYS be prepared in case something happens rather than just hope for the best. Hard drives do crash, often unexpectedly, and if you don't have backups now, you are vulnerable NOW to losing your stuff.

Click to expand...

I fully agree with you, and I appreciate your help!

But what is the best way to do a backup? Again, pardon my ignorance.

Time Machine. But since you said System Preferences doesn't even open and the same with most applications, you can just get an external HD or flash drive and copy all the important files (in this case, pictures) you need and keep them safe.

OR you can try one of these methods:

Mac OS X v10.5, v10.6: How to back up and restore your files

jazzyj said:

To be honest, I'm not into paying the $200 or so to upgrade since I paid $1500 for the machine only about three years ago.

Click to expand...

I can totally understand your reluctance not wanting to spend money to upgrade (at least $200)...but also realize that your $1500 3 year-old Macbook is probably worth about $750 now (depending on it's exact specs).

And of course $29 bucks for the Snow Leopard upgrade is certainly a heck of a deal!

- Nick

jazzyj said:

I fully agree with you, and I appreciate your help!

But what is the best way to do a backup? Again, pardon my ignorance.

Click to expand...

Well for the time being, I would get an external hard drive and use SuperDuper (free backup tool) to clone your drive as-is to that. Once you have installed Snow Leopard and it is working to your satisfaction and you are certain all your important files are intact, I would wipe that external drive and start using it as a Time Capsule for use with Time Machine.

I recently posted this, but I supplied the wrong information. Instead of running Leopard operating system, I am running Tiger. (That's why the upgrade is so expensive...I need to upgrade with the Mac Box Set.)

The Macbook was purchased in May, 2007 (earlier than I thought) and runs with the Intel processor with 2.16 ghz. (or something like that).

I am willing to upgrade with the Mac Box Set....I was able to find it on Amazon for about $100, but wanted to make sure that this would be a good fix. What do you think? (And sorry for wasting your time earlier today...I am going to get an external hard drive for backup as well...thanks for the advice!)

Here is my original post from a previous thread:

Hello,

My wife installed updates using the auto-update utility...I believe it was iTunes 10 and maybe something else...Quicktime? Unfortunately, she doesn't even know...she was asked to update and she clicked yes.

What a disaster. This is a Macbook bought in late 2007 with Intel duo...probably 2.83 ghz if I recall correctly. We never bought a new operating system, but I can't tell you what version I'm running. Read and you will see why.

Here are the problems:

1) The dock has disappeared. This isn't because it is hidden. Dock preferences shows that the auto hide is off, and even if I change the location from bottom (which is checked) to side, it doesn't work. When I go back into preferences, "bottom" is still checked.

2) A click on "about this mac" does not produce anything. The menu disappears but nothing happens. (Thus I can't see what OS I'm running.)

3) I cannot drag icons to move them.

4) Various programs will not run. I am getting an error code -600 on some of them, but others just won't launch. Other times I get a message that the system is updating (or something like that).

5) I can't open a document directly from email.

6) I cannot minimize any window.

7) I cannot shut down, sleep, or log off. A forced restart (holding down the power button) is necessary each time.

8) I was able to open the Activity Monitor once (but now can't open it) and it showed almost every application running. Yikes!


I hope someone could help. I am not really that good with Macs. With Windows I would just restore to a prior point. Had I known that Macs didn't have this automatic restore point, I would have done the Time Machine thing. As it is now, there is no backup or anything like that. If I need to restore the computer, does this wipe out all my data (photos, music, etc)?

I really appreciate any help that I can get on this...thanks!

Please do not cross post! Always post back to the original thread otherwise it causes confusion and clutter in the forums. I moved your new post to the original thread.

Sorry!

To be honest, there's no guarantee that upgrading your OS will fix your problems. You may well have some hardware problem… perhaps a failing hard drive. I would back up your hard drive PRONTO to save while you can. Afterwards, you can try running the Apple Hardware Test.
Intel-based Macs: Using Apple Hardware Test

If that comes back clean, you may want to run some disk checking utilities. You can do a SMART check using Onyx, as well as verify the startup volume. There are some other disk utilities that do more extensive testing, none of which are cheap.

If that all comes back clean, you can try running the various maintenance tools in Onyx, though to be honest I'm skeptical they will fix this. Anywho… try all this first and let us know how it works out.

I purchased an external hard drive and was able to back up most of my data -- pictures, etc. Although the drive was pre-formatted for mac, i couldn't do a full backup. I can't get the software to run. That's ok for now. I feel so much better with a copy ofost everything


Now here is my problem. I'm missing the installation disks that came with the machine. I have everything else-- the original box, other paperwork etc. But no disks. I even have the AppleCare disk, but of course the AppleCare warranty expired three months ago.

Is there any way to get a copy of these disks, preferably by download so I can get this machine going again?

I truly appreciate all the help!!!

You can't download it, but if you call Apple, they can send you a replacement set of discs for that specific Mac for around $20-40, or you can get Snow Leopard from Apple or reseller for US$29

For the record, if it's a late 2007 MacBook, it is either the 2GHz or or 2.2GHz Model, and if it's mid 2007 it's either the 2GHz or 2.16Ghz model.
If calling Apple for the original install discs, all you will need to supply them with is the serial number which is located on the box and on the bottom of the Mac under the battery when it is removed.

Right... It's the 2.16 Ghz model...May 2007.