Software Update problem?

My Mac Mini is running OS X 10.8.5. When I click on Software Update (via the Apple logo, top left of menu bar), nothing happens: no window appears as it did in older Mac OS, even if there are no updates to download.

When I go to Software Update via System Preferences, it says that Software Updates are available - see below link - but clicking on the 'Show Updates' button does nothing (apart from briefly flashing blue when clicked).

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s156/snagged_01/ScreenShot2014-03-12at080546_zps10a30d8b.png

Based on the options I have ticked in the above Software Update screenshot, is my Mac behaving normally for 10.8.5 or do I appear to have a problem?

Think I've found the reason for the above: I appear to have deleted the Mac App Store App (software updates are now through the App Store?):

OS X: Updating OS X and Mac App Store apps

Any ideas how I can reinstall the App Store for Mountain Lion 10.8.5 would be appreciated...

You may need to reinstall your OS from the Recovery partition to fix that. I'm very surprised you were even allowed to trash the Mac App Store.

You will probably be required to upgrade to Mavericks in the process. Good time to do that.

You could try the 10.8.5 combo update. Don't know if that will restore the App Store or not.

Restore it from your backup.

Reinstall 10.8.

Thanks for your replies. I haven't yet updated to Mavericks as I've read that Adobe CS5 applications have problems with Mavericks and I can't afford to have Indesign, Photoshop and Illustrator not working as they should...

bobtomay... I'm currently running 10.8.5. is the combo update you mention different?

It's the same you already have installed, but it includes all the updates from 10.8.1 - 10.8.5; hence, combo update.

Am thinking that "if" the App Store app was updated during one of those updates, then it's possible it may reinstall without you needing to reinstall 10.8 and then updating. Only taking a chance that it might save you some time - other hand it won't and you're back to installing 10.8 and then the combo update.

Here is one occasion a Time Machine backup would come in handy.

Will I be able to install the 10.8.5 combo update 'over' the existing 10.8.5 or is it a case of 'try it and see'? Could I do some damage trying this?

Have never seen a problem - use this technique to fix many issues.

That being said - I still don't do any updates without a backup in place first.

Thanks. I have everything backed up so will attempt it from the combo link above.

As I have 10.8.5 already installed, will installing the 'combo' version over the top wipe all my existing applications (CS5 etc.) or just replace/update the OS bits needed?

Downloaded the above combo update .dmg, launched, installed and restarted: the App Store app is still missing so Software Update is still not working although some of the Apple applications that I didn't delete appear to have been updated (DVD player, Font book, Quicktime, Mail, Calculator etc.).

So it looks like I need to do a clean install of Mountain Lion 10.8 from scratch and then download the subsequent updates to 10.8.5?

Is this the correct procedure I need to follow?

Erase and reinstall:
OS X Mountain Lion: Erase and reinstall OS X

Or this?

Reinstall only:
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH10763

Here are my Mac specs:
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s156/snagged_01/mymac_zps107e2a2b.jpg

No need to erase - reinstall right over the top of your existing installation - that will take you back to 10.8 - leaving all your apps and data in place - then install the 10.8.5 combo update - no need to install all those updates - that's what the combo is for - then let it go through the Software Update for everything else - e.g. individual app and security updates.

Don't think so (pretty sure Apple does not update the original installer), but's it's been 2-3 years since I've re-installed from internet recovery - after 1st boot goo ahead and verify the version it's installed. That'd be pretty nice if it does include the latest version.

Started the 'reinstall' process and part way along I am asked for my Apple ID. I didn't have one so created a new one which has been 'verified' via my email address.

When I key my new Apple ID in at the reinstall stage, I get the message 'this address has not been used with the apple store, please review'.

Any ideas how I get passed this to enable the 10.8 reinstall (if it makes a difference to anything, I bought this Mac off ebay and the seller did a 'clean install' of Mountain Lion before the handover).

pod said:

Started the 'reinstall' process and part way along I am asked for my Apple ID. I didn't have one so created a new one which has been 'verified' via my email address.

When I key my new Apple ID in at the reinstall stage, I get the message 'this address has not been used with the apple store, please review'.

Any ideas how I get passed this to enable the 10.8 reinstall (if it makes a difference to anything, I bought this Mac off ebay and the seller did a 'clean install' of Mountain Lion before the handover).

Click to expand...

That usually means they do not have a credit card on file to go with ID.
You can review your account and see if any info is missing in iTunes >Store>Account.

I've spoken to the seller: from memory, he says this Mac Mini came with Lion. He upgraded to Mountain Lion via the App store using his Apple ID, therefore, when I try to reinstall with my Apple ID there is understandably no record I ever initially downloaded/purchased Mountain Lion. Think my only options are:

a) Ask the seller of this Mac for his Apple ID so I can reinstall ML (unlikely) or

b) With my own Apple ID, buy a version of ML 10.8 from the App Store for £14

I'm happy to go with option B but am wondering if there will be a conflict between the existing ML already installed and the 'new' one I purchase via the App Store with my Apple ID?

No, there is no conflict.
And if your other Mac is not registered with Apple with your Apple ID, you should do that.

Option B is definitely the best choice and really the only choice unless the seller is a close friend/family member that is going to trust you with their ID.
Once you purchase it, it's yours to install on all your personal Macs.

At least you have access to another Mac there to make this semi painless.
The ones that don't have another Mac and end up in this situation, it's a pitr because the OS now belongs to the user and not the machine.

pod suggest Erase and Install. That will format the drive and do a clean install of Mountain Lion, everything on the drive will be wiped leaving a nice clean drive for the new install.

One thing you do have an Apple ID to access the App Store I take it?

Got to ask if you Mac is capable of running 10.8.5 and you have a valid Apple ID why not get Maverick's its free.