software update fails - what could it be?

sweet-rasmus

I have two macbooks here in the household, using the same wireless router. Both on Snow Leopard. Once will run through software update without a bother, whereas the other one gets stuck on the progress bar, early on. And the only way I can get it to successfully work to to connect directly to the router via ethernet. Any idea in which setting my issue lies??

Thanks

Talisman

Usually if the software update sticks just after the blue progress bar starts it's a cache issue. You cache fix it by removing the cache file in this folder: ~/Library/Caches/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate.

However seeing as it works when the ethernet connection is used I wouldn't think that will resolve the issue.

The two areas I would look at are the AirPort configuration of the affected MacBook and the wireless router configuration.

The AirPort configuration of the two computers should be the same if the wireless network is using DHCP to assign IP addresses.

Did it work before through the wireless connection?
Or has it always not worked with the wireless router?
Are there any security restrictions on the router?

ProperDeadly

I'm sure there is a more technical explanation for it, but I find that my software updater only works when I turn off Airport, and plug my laptop directly into my wireless box.

sweet-rasmus

Oh yes, i found that thing about the cache online when i googled it a few weeks ago. I delete it, but the problem is still there. Tried it again for the hell of it; still no luck. "Software Update can't check for updates because of a network problem."

Yes, it always used to work fine... until it didn't! I did let some it guy mess with my mac to set it up on the college network months ago, so i guess he might have changed something. I'll compare the settings... meant to but never got around to it Then again, I don't want to change settings for this to get onto the college wireless and wired networks! I shall report back...

snowyeoghan

The update thing is hanging for me too. I've never seen it do that before...

sweet-rasmus

ok, System Preferences --> Network --> Advanced --> Proxies --> I had Automatic Proxy Configuration ticked. And I had the proxy for my college network in the URL box. I unchecked the box and deleted the URL and the software update works

But, question is, am I gonna have to switch it back and fourth depending if I'm at home or college?! I'll soon find out!

Hope this helps you SnowyEoghan and ProperDeadly.

Talisman

You can define differnet network locations so you have one network setting for college and another for at home.

Using network locations in Mac OS X

sweet-rasmus

Well, seems to work fine in college on wireless without that ticked. Yey! No disasters

snowyeoghan

Yeh it seems to be ok now, even though I never got around to changing any network settings. Strange...

Mars Bar

I have this problem too, I have my macbook 10.5.5 for over a year now and not once has an update worked for me. I am connected through ethernet but once it gets to configuring installation, it just gets stuck. I have tried that cache thing earlier on and tried installing the updates again but still nothing...

Anyone at all?

Mars Bar

No one? Guess it's to the store I go...

Sad Professor

mars bar wrote: »

I have this problem too, I have my macbook 10.5.5 for over a year now and not once has an update worked for me. I am connected through ethernet but once it gets to configuring installation, it just gets stuck. I have tried that cache thing earlier on and tried installing the updates again but still nothing...

Open Disk Utility - verify the disk and repair permissions. Make sure everything checks out.

You can also skip Software Update by downloading and installing the 10.5.8 combo update:
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/apple/macosx_updates/macosx1058comboupdate.html

Mars Bar

Sad Professor wrote: »

Open Disk Utility - verify the disk and repair permissions. Make sure everything checks out.

You can also skip Software Update by downloading and installing the 10.5.8 combo update:
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/apple/macosx_updates/macosx1058comboupdate.html

In the left hand side of the Disk Utility, I can choose iTunes802.dmg and Reason.dmg. Also the Macintosh HD and the disk drive.
What exactly am I supposed to do at the in Disk Utility app?

Sorry:o

Sad Professor

mars bar wrote: »

In the left hand side of the Disk Utility, I can choose iTunes802.dmg and Reason.dmg. Also the Macintosh HD and the disk drive.
What exactly am I supposed to do at the in Disk Utility app?

Sorry:o

It's okay. Click on Macintosh HD - the First Aid panel should appear. Verify the disk first. Then repair permissions. It can take a little while, leave it to do it.

Mars Bar

Thank you!