Mac OS X 10.3.8 (#6): More printing problem solutions; Routers and slow network performance (cont.); more
Mac OS X 10.3.8 (#6): More printing problem solutions; Routers and slow network performance (cont.); more
Printing problems Continuing our coverage of printing problems under Mac OS X 10.3.8, we have confirmation for a previously reported workaround, as well as some new solutions:
Resetting AirPort (Extreme, Express, Standard) base unit For users with printers connected through through an AirPort wireless network, resetting the host Base Station or AirPort Express unit after installation of Mac OS X 10.3.8 may be required.
We first reported this workaround yesterday, based on a user's experience with an Epson CX5200 connected through an Airport Express unit. In his case, resetting the unit resolved an inability to print.
We've since received a number of corroborating reports.
MacFixIt reader Mike Zalis, for instance, writes:
"I had a loss of rendezvous printing function after upgrading my 20" iMac to Mac OS X 10.3.8. I'm happy to report that the AirPort reset procedure you posted (yesterday) restored full functionality to my HP LaserJet 1012. In retrospect, the printer and its drivers were likely fine. It seems that after the upgrade, the iMac would not recognize the AirPort Extreme Base Station at all. The restart of the Base Station took care of the problem."
Instructions for resetting various AirPort base devices are as follows:
- Resetting AirPort Express
- Resetting the AirPort Extreme Base Station
- Resetting the AirPort Base Station (Dual Ethernet)
- Resetting the AirPort Base Station (Graphite)
Run DiskWarrior Some readers report that re-building their drive directory with Alsoft's DiskWarrior restores proper printer operation.
MacFixIt reader Fritz Mills writes:
"I began to experience printer problems after upgrading to 10.3.8. Restarting and reinstalling the printer didn't help. However, after sending the email, I booted from the Disk Warrior CD and ran Disk Warrior. It found several problems, which it fixed. I then rebooted normally, and found that printing worked again."
Printer Setup Repair A number of readers have had success using the shareware utility "Printer Setup Repair" to eliminate printer issues that appeared in conjunction with Mac OS X 10.3.8.
This highly useful utility is also useful in a number of other problematic printer scenarios. It can verify many system and printing settings as well as repair printing-related permissions and, if necessary, delete a number of printing-related files that can at times develop corruption and lead to printing problems.
Routers and slow network performance (cont.) We continue to cover an issue where some routers -- particularly a handful of models manufactured by NetGear -- can cause a reduction in network performance under Mac OS X 10.3.8. When this situation occurs, users can often resolve the issue by removing the offending router from the network set-up.
Previously reported workarounds include manually entering DNS numbers, updating router firmware, changing the router to a dynamic setting, turning off WEP security, and power-cycling network devices.
Now, MacFixIt reader Alan Knoepfler reports that setting the router MTU ( Maximum Transmission Unit) size to 1432 or lower resolves network slow-down issues.
Changing the MTU setting can be accomplished either through your router's configuration page (usually accessible via the URL 192.168.1.1.) or more easily with a shareware utility like IPNetTuner.
Knoepfler writes:
"I was advised by my ISP to further reduce my MTU size to 1432 and have had no problems since. Except for stalls with opening pages occasionally, but I think that is more a Safari issue. I still have the Netgear router and I'm still on PPPoA, however if this is phased out and only PPPoE is available I think I will be stuck as my DG814 does not work at all on that setting. The router is using the latest firmware from Netgear v4.10. It seems that there is an issue with the Netgear but to date I?m not sure what the kernel of the problem is, except that the router seems stable with MTU being set at 1432 ? I have access to internet and emails and the slowdown issue seems to have normalized, though can be erratic occasionally but this could be due to traffic."
Displays pane of System Preferences not working A handful of MacFixIt readers are reporting that they are unable to access the "Displays" pane of System Preferences after updating to Mac OS X 10.3.8.
One reader writes:
"After having used 'Software Update' to install Mac OS X 10.3.8, I can no longer start/load 'Displays' in System Preferences."
This problem is sometimes directly related to the presence of certain ATI graphics card drivers, which may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- /System/Library/Extensions/ATIRadeon9700.kext
- /System/Library/Extensions/ATIRadeon9700DVDDriver.bundle
- /System/Library/Extensions/ATIRadeon9700GA.plugin
- /System/Library/Extensions/ATIRadeon9700GLDriver.bundle
Users have reported that deleting these files and using an alternate graphics card from another manufacturer (such as NVidia) re-allowed access to the Displays pane of System Preferences. Note that deleting these files will render your ATI Radeon card unusable at the next restart.
Clearing font caches for faster startup For users experiencing slow startup times after upgrading to Mac OS X 10.3.8, font-related corruption may be to blame.
Using the shareware utility Font Finagler to delete font caches will often restore normal startup speeds if indeed the bloated or corrupt files are to blame.
iBook G4 F12 key not working: Another workaround Yesterday we reported a number of workarounds for an issue where the F12 key does not function to eject media on some iBook G4 models under Mac OS X 10.3.8.
Now a handful of readers have reported that the multi-purpose workaround of re-applying the most recent Mac OS X combination updater [99.2 MB] works in this instance as well.
MacFixIt reader Scott Kissinger writes:
"I have a 933MHz G4 iBook that had the F12 eject problem after installing the 10.3.8 update (via the software updates tool)
"I downloaded and installed the Combo update over top and that corrected the issue."
Trackpad problems A number of users are reporting erratic PowerBook trackpad behavior after installing Mac OS X 10.3.8. Some report that the "Ignore Accidental Trackpad Input" option no longer seems to works, while others report "hopping," "pausing" and other phenomena.
A preliminary workaround has emerged: Resetting PRAM. For some users this has restored normal operation in both this case, and the aforementioned non-functional F12 key problem. Resetting PRAM is accomplished by holding down the Option, Command, P and R keys at system startup until the computer restarts again and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
Reverting to Mac OS X 10.3.7 A number of readers have asked how they can revert from Mac OS X 10.3.8 to Mac OS X 10.3.7, generally in the case of major system malfunctions associated -- directly or indirectly -- with the update.
Instructions for doing so can be found in our tutorial "Reverting to an earlier version of Mac OS X."
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