Apple Update just 'bricked' my iMac

[bogeyman]

Apple's Security Update 2008-008 on OS X Tiger 10.4.11 left my iMac unable to boot after restart - it just sits at the grey screen with the little revolving cog thing going around and around forever.

Seems I am not alone. Apple's 'solution' is to reinstall the OS from DVD - this causes all kinds of pain with many 3rd party apps not working afterwards, and having to reapply all the cumulative updates (except the last one!).

Luckily I have a backup drive that I can boot from and restore the disk image pre-update (after saving today's work on another drive).

So, if you run Tiger and haven't installed this update yet, BE WARNED!

Nice one Jobs & Co. You effing arseholes

[VectraMan]

Try a PC.

[NickFitz]

The Register had some info on this a few days ago - you might want to try the various ideas mentioned there before re-installing.

FWIW, I've had several experiences over the last couple of years of an update leading to the symptoms you describe. Forcing a power-down (hold the power button in for five seconds) then powering up again fixed it every time.

[bogeyman]

Try a PC.

Well luckily, I had my old IBM Thinkpad on the workbench so could Google the problem.

Some utter fanboy on discussions.apple.com said something like "it's the user's fault for not making sure their Mac are in Tip-Top condition before applying updates".

I would have put his face in 'tip-top' condition with my knuckles if he'd been standing in front of me.

When MS does this kind of thing there is uproar. Mac users just seem to take it up the fundament.

[bogeyman]

The Register had some info on this a few days ago - you might want to try the various ideas mentioned there before re-installing.

FWIW, I've had several experiences over the last couple of years of an update leading to the symptoms you describe. Forcing a power-down (hold the power button in for five seconds) then powering up again fixed it every time.

Thanks for the info Nick, but all restored and working fine now.

Thank goodness for SuperDuper!

Recycling power had no effect.

BTW the Reg article is a different problem affecting 10.5.6. Seems they've managed to bollux that as well. It's a win-win for Mac users of both OS X vintages this christmas. Hurrah!

[HeliCraig]

I've just applied it to my Leopard iMac with no problems!!

HTH.

[bogeyman]

I've just applied it to my Leopard iMac with no problems!!

HTH.

No it doesn't help, you gimp!

I said I was running Tiger 10.4.11.

[NickFitz]

No it doesn't help, you gimp!

I said I was running Tiger 10.4.11.

I'm also still on Tiger - I think I'll do a full backup before experimenting with this one

[AtW]

At least in new Mac they use Intel processors so you can wipe them clean and install Windows...

[HeliCraig]

No it doesn't help, you gimp!

I said I was running Tiger 10.4.11.

Which is why I thought my comment would be particularly helpful!