Security Update 2006-007 Special Report: Font Book: Inability to launch

Font Book issue only occurs when stored outside of /Applications directory On numerous occasions, we've noted the importance of leaving applications -- particularly Apple applications -- in their correct directories (usually /Applications or /Applications/Utilities) [see examples 1, 2 and 3]. The reasons for doing so are many, but one of the most pressing is with regard to updates. If an application updater, or major system update (such as Security Update 2006-007) cannot find the appropriate files to modify, various issues can ensue.

Such is the case with Font Book and Security Update 2006-007. If Font Book is not located in /Applications at the time of applying Security Update 2006-007, an issue we described yesterday -- where a non-functional, ~400 KB item called Font Book is placed in /Applications -- is the result.

The solution in this case is to move the actual copy of Font Book (that was moved out of /Applications) back into /Applications, overwriting the defunct ~400 KB file. You should then re-run Security Update 2006-007 to make sure the included security refinements are applied.

One reader writes: "Font Book was replaced with this update. It lost its icon in the process, which is why I noticed and immediately tested it. The new one 2.0.3 was 412kb. An older one, also 2.0.2, on a backup drive was 6.4mb. It works. I replaced the one broken by the update with the older 6.4 MB version. All I can say is: make a backup copy of Font Book before using this update."

Index:

• AirPort connectivity: Loss of
• Application launch delay
• Bluetooth: Loss of
• Excessive iMac fan speed
• Font Book: Inability to launch
• General fixes for common problems
• Getting the update off your Mac
• Login to secure sites fails
• Microsoft Office applications: Problems
• Palm synchronization dificulties
• Release notes, update recommendations
• Slow access to network drives
• Startup problems
• USB/FireWire device connectivity issues

Resources