OS X update brews Java storm
Published: 19 Apr 2005 09:10 BST
A minor update to Mac OS X is causing headaches for some computer owners, who find their systems no longer work properly when using Java-based applications or visiting certain Web sites.
Apple Computer acknowledged the problem late on Monday and posted a workaround to its Web site.
"After updating to Mac OS X 10.3.9, some systems may have issues with Java applications and Java-enabled websites when using Safari," the Mac maker said in a posting to its support Web site. "Safari may unexpectedly quit, and standalone Java applications may unexpectedly quit or not launch."
An Apple representative said the company plans to keep the update available. As of 1700 on Monday, it had not posted information alerting customers to the potential Java problem on the download page for the update. Apple released the OS update on Friday.
Among those hit by the bug were David Geller, CEO of Seattle-based email marketing company WhatCounts, who said it affected both his 15-inch PowerBook and a dual-processor Power Mac G5.
"I found my entire Java development toolset stopped working right after applying 10.3.9," he said in an email interview. Geller said he wondered how such "an egregious error" slipped through Apple's testing.
"I sure hope Tiger is better than this release," he said, referring to the next major update to Mac OS X, which is set to go on sale on 29 April. "I really want to love this stuff, but [Apple is] testing my patience, especially since I've moved all my developers to OS X."
For those who are affected, Apple said the problem can be fixed by reinstalling two earlier security patches: Java 1.4.2 Update 2 and Security Update 2005-002.
The company also offered up a test that people can do to see if their systems are affected. Customers should open the terminal program and type "java -version" (without quotes) and then hit return, it said. Computers affected by the issue will get the message "Segmentation fault."
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10 comments
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We still don't have solid numbers on the percentag... Anonymous -
My system is not affected either. Could it be th... Anonymous
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Ina Fried? Gotta love those clever headlines ther... Wazi Baked
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An E-Mail Marketing company. That says it all. Cou... Eric Throttle
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"...email marketing company..." So ZDNet is inter... orb
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For those with NetGear routers who were affected b... Jared Falvo
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It's probably a pretty common problem if Appl... trex67 -
This all goes to show what a high standard that Ap... studentx
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Storm in a teacup more like...
This problem - whic... Anonymous
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i reinstalled Security Update 2005-002 and that he... Kevin Guernier
