Security Update 2006-007 Special Report follow-up: Only solution for some app launch problems may be uninstalling the update

Yesterday we published our Security Update 2006-007 Special Report. While most issues apparent after the update have reasonable workarounds, the inability to launch specific applications -- particularly Microsoft Office v.X and 2004 apps -- continues to be a sticking point for a surprisingly high number of users.

As exemplified by MacFixIt reader James Mona, uninstalling Security Update 2006-007 -- as described in this section of our special report -- is the only viable option in some cases.

James writes: "My 3-week old MacBook Pro 2.33GHz had several apps borked after installing this update (and as always, I repaired permissions before and after the d/l and install, and had no peripherals attached), which seemed to d/l and install without problems. After restart, however, I had several key apps that refused to start, including Microsoft Office (I use Microsoft Word and Microsoft Entourage throughout each day), Now Up-To-Date and Contact, Snapz Pro, and TexEdit Plus. Nothing I did would make them startup (repairing permissions, fsck ?y, disk utility, etc.) I d/l?d the 10.4.8 Intel Combo Update, but it wouldn?t work on my MBP, giving me an error message that it wasn?t compatible, or something similar (and yes, it was the Intel version). I was finally forced to restart with my install discs and do an 'Archive and Install,' and all was well then, all apps worked again. I still get the prompt to d/l the 2006-007 Security Update from 'Software Update,' but refuse to try it again, until Apple fixes it.

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

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