Apple OS X security fix busts 64-bit support

Apple Computer's most recent security fixes for Mac OS X break support for 64-bit applications in the operating system, a software maker has warned.

Apple released a large security update for Mac OS X on Monday. Security Update 2005-007 provides fixes for flaws in various parts of Apple's software, including the Safari browser, Bluetooth wireless and various networking tools.

But the update doesn't just fix security bugs; it also breaks support for 64-bit applications in the operating system, according to Wolfram Research, maker of the Mathematica computation software. It's unclear whether applications other than Mathmatica's are affected.

"Due to an error on the part of Apple, this update prevents any 64-bit native application from running," Wolfram told its customers in an e-mail alert on Tuesday. In particular, the problem means that Mathematica 5.2, released in July, will not run on a G5 computer with Mac OS X and Apple's latest security update, according to the e-mail.

Apple is aware of the issue and plans to fix its security update, Ben Wilson, a Wolfram spokesman, said in an interview on Wednesday.

Apple did not comment on the problem Wednesday, but early Thursday morning the company said it had released a new security update that fixes the issue.

"We have issued a new version of the 2005-07 security update which resolves an issue affecting 64 bit applications," an Apple representative said in an e-mailed statement.

The new update is available through Apple's Web site. Users who have already installed the earlier update should install the new version as well, according to Apple's Web site.

[Maxwell Studly]

Irresponsible Apple & this Garbage

It's this type of irresponsible garbage that reduced Apple to only 3% of the desktop OS marketshare.

big f deal

so how many are using real 64 bit programs, I know your not.

No big deal, its to be expected for a OS that is running 32 and 64
bit programs, lots of line of code, things can go wrong. Still better
than when they took out the ethernet on a lot of 64 systems a year
ago, haha that was bad. Had to redo the system from scratch.

[Andrew J Glina]

Ooops

That is an odd mistake to make. Surely Apple would have tested for that? It is possible though that it was a deliberate move to make the PowerPC->x86 move easier. Reducing the number of 64 bit applications would make Rosetta not need to support them fully, or even at all.

[Earl Benser]

Yes, oooops....

Apple simply did not include the 64 bit version of a OS component
in the first patch. It was nothing more than an oversight, and a
second correct version of the patch was issued within a couple of
days.

All is now well in both the 32 and 64 bit worlds of OS X.

[Mendz]

Fix your fixes...

Patch your pathes... What is happening to QC and QA in the software industry?

[PCCRomeo]

Well, well, well...

Not only is Mac not as user friendly as Windows, but it also has pretty much the same flaws as Windows. Tisk, tisk, tisk...

in your dreams

you wish pcboy.

[wazzledoozle]

44 fixes and breaks 64 bit support

Great day to own a mac.

[R. U. Sirius]

Nothing on my Mac was affected

Dudalot, I ran the update yesterday and have had smooth sailing on my Mac all day. Now go back to your PC and resume your video game.

[rodnarms]

Put it in perspective

Certainly a better day then to own a Windows machine. Wait, they
don't even have 64 bit in the mainstream yet.

they're not the only ones...

It's not like Apple is the only one to do this kind of thing, there have been plenty of times that Microsoft has broken things with their updates and service packs.

Still, it's nice to know Microsoft isn't the only one that does things like this. ;)

oops...

Clicked the wrong link, that was intended to be a response to Maxwell Studly's comment.

Everything has bugs....

Nice that M$ isn't the only one? Hah! Where have you been? All software has bugs! What you need to care about is how it affects your work.

That's why I stopped maintaining computers and started actually using them, by dumping windoze.

Job Sharing

Sounds like someone from Microsoft got a job at Apple.

[aemarques]

Wow!

It should be great to be a Mac fan(atic): it seems that even when Apple go wrong, it's not their fault.
Truly amazing...

[Maxwell Studly]

..lets continue with the job sharing idea.

The real question is...how did an ex janitor from MSFT become a programmer at Apple?

Hilarious!

I think it's absolutely hysterical that all the people making excuses and defending their Mac pals would be ripping Microsoft to shreds if the same thing happened with them.

Are you all blind to how pathetic that is?

[Maxwell Studly]

What can you say...

Blind Apple zealots are a comical bunch :)

[NeverFade]

Maxwell Studly - 8 Times?

Your have responded on this thread 8 times?! Eight times in a
thread about Apple? And every post about how bad and full of
garbage Apple is.

If you don't like Apple, who cares? Do you have to come back
here and get all hyped up and tell someone else and someone
else and so on, until your belief is thrown out on the public?

Get a life dude, and go back to your Dell POS. Apple already
fixed the issue with 64bit addressing. Microsoft has got a new
worm. Look into it.

Out.

[Maxwell Studly]

You can count

This makes it 9 :)

Don't cry

[S R]

Shouldn't the headlines be changed.. ?

after the "update" that after released a version?

especially, when the update just notes "oh btw.. it has been fixed,
but it is not worthy of headlines."

[Llib Setag]

OLD NEWS C/NOT! Apple fixes update for 32+64 bit

Go to www.apple.com/download

Get the LATEST NEWS & FACTS,

(not yesterday's news with a negative spin to it as usual C/NOT!)

The Curse of BeOS!

If only Apple would of selected BeOS instead of NeXT...BeOS was already doing the 64bit processing. Yes, I still run BeOS R 4.5 as my main puter at home.

[rslavelle]

*One quickly repared snafu doth not a tempest make*

Windoze Zombies: Read em and weep.

Study: Dell customer rating plunges; Apple leads pack
Customer service, not products, were source of dissatisfaction
for Dell
Computerworld:
Study: Apple, Dell lead PC customer satisfaction index
News Story by Tom Krazit
AUGUST 16, 2005 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - U.S. consumers
lambasted Dell Inc. for poor customer service in a survey
conducted last quarter, sending the world's largest PC vendor
into a virtual tie with the rest of the PC market behind the
industry-leading efforts of Apple Computer Inc.
For the second year in a row, Apple received the best rating from
PC buyers in the American Customer Satisfaction Index, said
David Van Amburg, general manager of the ACSI. The University
of Michigan compiles the ACSI in numerous product categories
by randomly calling U.S. residents and surveying their buying
habits, he said.

Apple received a score of 81, compared with an industry average
score of 74, in results released today.

[IchibanJay]

Why is this story here? Already has been fixed yesterday...

I don't understand why this story is here. Apple released an updated patch yesterday (8-18-05) that fixes the 64-bit support. Since it only took them a day and a half to fix the problem it probably means they accidently released the wrong patch. It commonly happens because sometimes you just can't keep track of what versions are most stable.

At least Mac OSX HAS 64-bit application support. And at least Apple can fix their problems within a couple of days, more can be said of Microsoft....

I'm glad this story is here

I, for one, am glad the story is here. It is important to note if a
change made by an update in an operating system will cause
one feature or another to cease working. Seeing articles like this
saves me a lot of time when deciding whether or not to update
the may Windows boxes in my office, the Linux or Novell servers
I run, or even the Powerbook laptop I use.

But let's get the rest of the story.

To me, the measure of company that makes operating systems
is not just how well the operating system works, but how quickly
fixes are out.

How many times have you installed an update to your OS to find
that even though it fixed A, B, and C, it broke X, Y, and Z? And
how frustrated have you been when the company that released it
denies when there is a problem?

Yes. The last Software Update from Apple had a bug. A BIG
one, breaking the 64-bit code. I don't complain when it
happens. I don't complain when a Service Pack breaks my
Windows servers or workstations. Or when I miscompile a
program on my Linux boxes.

What I complain about is when said problem is revealed and not
only is nothing done about it, but said company refuses to
acknowledge there is a problem?

(And, yes, "Mr. Studly". I mentioned Microsoft. I also mentioned
Apple. I could've also mentioned IBM with how they handled OS/
2. Or even Commodore with how they handled the Amiga. Care
to call me a zealot?)

[rslavelle]

Because CNET dislikes Apple

CNET loves Microsoft. There is simply no accounting for taste.

Fixed

It's amazing to me that this story is still up. Yes it ir true that the
upgrade did bust the 64 bit but to my knowledge a fixed was
provided two days later. I don't know if your staff is able to
update your site or do follow up stories but it makes no sense
that this story and headline still goes on.
Look yes I am Mac user but by no means am I an apologist for
them nor do I excuse them when they screw up. It is fair to point
out flaws and mistakes any company does it is also fair to follow
up when such companies fix and acknowledge the problems or
ignor them.
I would respect the journalistic professions of your site/staff if
they give a complete factural story no matter the topic. I can
only wonder why no follow up has been printed or refered to.
Thanks
RE

[shadowself]

Why? Is c|net truly anti Apple?

Why is the story about Apple's patch breaking 64 bit support still
headlined when a) it's no longer true and b) you have a more
recent story stating Apple has fixed the patch?

AND
It is not possible to read the story from the link on the main
page! Just the headline that Apple had broken 64 bit suppor with
no way to read the details without a search through your past
articles. The link goes to a page which says absolutely NOTHING
about Apple breaking the 64 bit capabilities and absolutely
NOTHING about Apple fixing it.

Definitely looks like all the Apple/Mac fanatics are right. c|net
hates Apple.