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renpar61 · May 7, 2003, 02:24 PM

I've read here and there that the incremental updates via Software Update sometimes can carry along older framework files that cause problems. This isn't the case if you download the "combo" updater (80+MB).
Is it possible to run the "combo" after the incremental update? Would this replace these so-called "older" framework files?

Webscreamer · May 7, 2003, 02:36 PM

I think that rumor is sh*t that the Auto-Update installs older files... Pffff. I have never had a problem either way.

You people must like force quit it in the middle of install.

renpar61 · May 7, 2003, 02:51 PM

Originally posted by Webscreamer:
[B]I think that rumor is sh*t that the Auto-Update installs older files... Pffff. I have never had a problem either way.

Maybe I was not clear: the Updater doesn't install older files, it simply doesn't replace some files with a "fresh" version, the "combo" doesn't look for the version you are updating from, and simply installs all new files. It's not really a rumor, check out Macfixit.com

Webscreamer · May 7, 2003, 03:04 PM

Still I really find that hard to believe. I have never ever had a problem. BUT, if you think it is, you could get the normal update and not the combo, I am sure thats IS fine. I do think it is a rumor though that you gotta get the combo update... nah. I still think the auto-update is fine... but do what you like

Dale Sorel · May 7, 2003, 03:55 PM

Originally posted by Webscreamer:
You people must like force quit it in the middle of install.

But why is my Mac screwed up after this

update...

OpenStep · May 7, 2003, 06:17 PM

I've never had a single problem using software update to install updates. Fire up software update and let 'er rip

Old Toad · May 7, 2003, 09:11 PM

It's my understanding that if you used the Software Update method to update from a version other than 10.2.5, you might run into problems. In that case, you should run the "combo" updater.

I had run every incremental update from 10.2 to 10.2.5 so the last update, at least for me, ran perfectly with NO problems.

Good Luck.

Brass · May 7, 2003, 09:58 PM

Well, I've never had a problem with the incremental upgrades, however the article at MacFixIt today is interesting.

A reader there submitted a test, after having two identical systems (software and hardware) upgraded from 10.2.5 to 10.2.6, one with the incremental upgrade and one with the combo upgrade.

Before the upgrade there were very few files that were different (of course there must be some). After the upgrades, there were 2,800 files that were different!

So what is the combo updater doing that the incremental one doesn't.

I find this very disturbing, even though I've never had problems with the incrementals. I like to hear Apple's explaination for this.

(See MacFixIt for the original story)

Art Vandelay · May 8, 2003, 12:21 AM

It would be nice to see what exactly the differences were. Were the versions different or just modification dates? It could just simply be that the Combo updater is reinstalling every file that's been updated from 10.2 to 10.2.6, whereas the normal updater just installs the differences from 10.2.5 to 10.2.6.

jimcpherson · May 8, 2003, 05:58 AM

The original question was could the 10.2.6 combo updater be installed after the incremental 10.2.5 to 10.2.6 update. I have always used the incremental updates via Software Update from 10.2.1 through 10.2.5 without ever ahving a problem. But after running the 10.2.6 updater a couple of my apps (Photoshop and Illustrator) have been acting funky - freezing, force quitting, etc. I caught the attention of the MacFixIt article, as well and was wondering if I could rerun the 10.2.6 updater, this time using the combo. I had read that users upgrading to 10.2.5 using the combo installer helped fix several bugs they were experiencing after running the 10.2.5 incremental update.

B.I.L · May 8, 2003, 04:34 PM

I have installed a combo update over an incremental update for the same version. I believe it was for 10.2.4. My friend's iMac was exhibiting the HP Communications CPU over-usage issue. This was supposed to be fixed in 10.2.4, which she was running. So I applied the 10.2.4 Combo and this cleared up the problem.

I personally always use the combo for every update now. I'm on cable modem, so I don't care if the file is bigger. I like the idea of it replacing lots of files with fresh copies, in case anything is screwed up that fsck or repairing permissions doesn't find. The guy who runs the excellent xlr8yourmac.com recommends always using combo updates, or using them the try to solve problems.

So I would recommend using combo updates all the time... doesn't it sound good to do periodic semi-clean-installs?

wtmcgee · May 8, 2003, 09:06 PM

my guess is that's exactly what's happening.

Originally posted by Art Vandelay:
It would be nice to see what exactly the differences were. Were the versions different or just modification dates? It could just simply be that the Combo updater is reinstalling every file that's been updated from 10.2 to 10.2.6, whereas the normal updater just installs the differences from 10.2.5 to 10.2.6.