[zandacar]

Lately, I'm unable to perform updates using the Software Update Control
Panel. I activate an "Update Now" request, the thing sits and spins
for a minute, then a get the following error message:

"Software Update is not able to connect to the Internet. Please check your
configuration and try again."

I have no clue what it's complaining about. I'm able to access the internet
just fine with things like Netscape Communicator, Fetch and BetterTelnet.
I've checked my TCP/IP settings, and all appear to be correct.

Could this be a firewall problem, perhaps? Do I need to enable another
port through it?

I'm using a Wallstreet Powerbook G3, Mac OS 9.0.4, and Software Update
Control Panel version 1.1.3.

I checked the Apple web site, and couldn't seem to find anything relevant
about this.

Note - this used to work. I'm not sure what may have changed.

[crazycylon]

I have had that happen sometimes and it seems to occur around the time that a new update is announced in a website such as Macworld etc. If you are using a firewall look at what access has been denied when you run the software update. This way you will know if your firewall is blocking the return of information for software update or not. I hope this helps.

zandacar,

You're not alone; lot's of complaints on Apple's board. Check out this thread for example.

Art

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[This message has been edited by Art D (edited 10-27-2000).]

[zandacar]

Well, what do you know - suddenly, it's started working again, all without
any modifications on my part. I can only assume the problem must be at
the Apple server end, although if that's the case, why doesn't the error
message report that as the problem, instead of making it sound like there's
something wrong at my end? Or does that make too much sense? :-)

[rambo47]

I was having intermittent failures with software update on my B&W G3 with OS 9. I allocated more memory (10MB) to the software updater and now it always works. Well, almost always.


------------------
-bo47

"There is no spoon."

I not only have this problem but Software Update also crashes my machine ALOT. Everything just freezes. I have scaned with Norton and Disk First aid. I have even done a low level format on the drive and a fresh install. But it still crashes. BTW the machine is a G4 450 128 RAM 10gb HD.

[baliset]

Software Update has always been once of the best ideas Apple have had, coupled with the most woeful implementation I've ever seen. I agree- I get regular crashes, inabilities to connect, slow transfers, odd hangs.

Why doesn't Apple leverage the distributed abilities of Akamai to provide localised servers for downloading these updates?
Why don't they allow an install cache so that aborted downloads can be resumed without starting from the beginning again?
Why don't the dialogs and progress bars give a better indication of the progress of the download?
Why can't I download updates while leaving all my other applications open?
Why does the list of available updates often leave out updates I know exist and that I can download individually from Apple's web site?
Why doesn't the utility quote the version number of the software I currently have installed as well as the newer version available, plus a brief description of the differences between the two?
Why doesn't Software Update fold in the ability to update Quicktime, reducing the need for a separate updater?
Why doesn't Apple take the best elements of "WindowsUpdate" (which I have a grudging respect for) and make SU like that?

Let's hope Apple are listening. Like I said- great idea, bad try.

------------------
Nathan Zamprogno,
Manager, Baliset Solutions
[email protected]

[spicyjeff]

First of all, Software update reports that it cannot connect to the internet if it cannot even connect to one of Apple's servers. Thus, even if Apple brings down it servers or they are overloaded or any part of the network in between causes a longer period of time to pass that the app likes it will say it cannot connect to the internet. Its a badly worded error message.

Second, Apple posted Software Update 1.2 tonight...of course the only way you can get it right now is through the software Update control panel.

[herbert68]

I just installed the 1.2 update, now I can't launch the CP. Error: "Software Update is unable to run". Go figure! Any ideas out there? OS 9.04 on Pismo 400 with 640 MB RAM.

[Camelot]

IMHO, Software Update has to be one of the least-poorly implemented technologies to come out of Apple in a long time (and there's been some doozies, for sure).

It's not only slow, but unreliable.

I switched to using Update Agent from Insider Software.

It not only downloads updates from Apple, but it also scans your hard drive checking for updates on any applications, extensions, control strips...basically anything any software publisher releases an update for. It's fast, too.

The only caveats are:

a) it doesn't install the updates, just downloads the updaters for you to install yourself (could be good or bad depending on your point of view)

b) it's not free, but well worth it.

(Note: I'm not an employee or associate of Insider Software in any way other than as a satisfied user)

[This message has been edited by Camelot (edited 11-05-2000).]

[iPaul UK]

HANDS UP who doesn't have problems with the Software update control panel!?

Sorry Steve Jobs, your hand doesn't count..

Howdy..

Most, if not all, real issues with Software Update CP can be resolved by the following two actions:

1. Remove (and trash) all Software Update items from your Preferences folder.

2. *Increase* the RAM partition to Software Update Control Panel to two megs. Close and try again.

-Cheers

I seem to be having a problem with downloadiing updates now that i switched to DSL. On some downloads it quits all applications, which also disconnects my internet connection since I'm using MacPoET connection.

Is there a way around this?

[iPaul UK]

Guess what!? I downloaded the latest version of the Software Update control panel (v1.2), surprisingly enough I managed to get the update via the software update control panel (Yes! It really is true!), And much to my surprise, It now doesn't work at all! It doesnt even load! I just get a message "Software Update is unable to run" And thats it!

Whatever next...

[WDL]

This may be of help to someone here:

Today's Tip: Stayin' Alive - Macworld 25 Sept �00

Tip level: Intermediate

If you have an "always on" Internet connection that requires a "keep
alive" application -- such connections might include cable and
Virtual Private Networks (VPN) -- to maintain a connection to the
Internet, you'll be interested in this workaround.

When Apple's Software Update control panel does its job it quits
running applications -- including these "keep alive" programs. When
the "keep alive" application dies, so too does the Internet
connection and Software Update can't complete its mission. The
workaround is to open the Software Update control panel and click the
Update Now button to receive a list of files that need to be updated.
Once you have that list, quit Software Update and venture out to
Apple's Software Update site (www.apple.com/swupdates) and manually
download the files you desire.

WDL

[kwyjibo]

>Once you have that list, quit Software Update and venture out to
>Apple's Software Update site (www.apple.com/swupdates) and manually
>download the files you desire.

Shouldn't this be an option of the control panel. Why can't it just download the files and leave installing for another time, than all other programs would not have to quit and that way those of us with always on connections could still use it.

[mkg]

If you force quit MacPoet while it's tunning, your mac still retains the DSL connection. Software Update works just fine after the MacPoet force quit.

[sosumi]

I was getting that "Software Update cannot run" message as well, and I found out from the Apple Forum that SU needs all the security extensions to be enabled. After I reinstalled them, SU works, no problemo...