Mac OS X 10.4.8 Special Report: Universal Access: New features, processor usage questions

Apple made some significant changes to Universal Access in Mac OS X 10.4.8 including a new zoom-scroll function. A few associated difficulties have resulted.

Even though Universal Access is  turned off, the process UniversalAccessApp is still running (as evidenced by Activity Monitor, located in Applications/Utilities).

Killing this process via Activity Monitor does not seem to have any adverse affects if you are not using Universal Access functions.

Killing the UniversalAccessApp may disable a new feature in Mac OS X 10.4.8 that allows you to hold control while using the scroll function of the mouse and zoom any part of the screen.

Reader reports

One reader writes:

"I've seen this process take as much as 4.8% of CPU on my machine and I'm not using any of it's functions."

Index:

• Release Notes: Delta vs. Combo; Enhancements in this release, more
• Update procedure recommendation: How to apply Mac OS X 10.4.8
• Common workarounds: Resolving typical incremental update issues

• Adobe Illustrator: Problems with pathfinder function, other issues
• Audio issues
• Black border around cursor 
• Burning media issues
• Classic: Problems starting up; launching apps
• Closed-lid portable functions broken
• Display coloring issues: Blue tinting and more
• External devices (USB/FireWire): Not recognized; can cause issues after system updates
• Finder Crashes, other issues
• Flash: Slowness caused by new version
• Incomplete update: Installing Mac OS X 10.4.8 stalls or otherwise fails
• Increased fan activity
• iSight difficulties: "In use," won't turn on, more
• Math problems in Rosetta applications
• Menu items: Disappearance, other issues
• Mighty Mouse problems: Scrolling, more
• Non-launching applications (including Rosetta apps): Fixes
• Printing issues -- fixes
• Safari Issues: Bad plug-ins, caches, more
• Spotlight issues
• Startup problems: Stalls, extremely slow booting, more
• Universal Access: New features, processor usage questions
• Wireless connectivity (AirPort, etc.) issues and fixes

Resources