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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Installation does not work

hanyoul - Feb 17, 2007 - 2:48 pm

Hi

Whenever I try to install some programs on my iBook(Tiger 10.4.8) the installer starts bouncing in the dock for a couple of seconds and then it disappears and then the installer doesnt run. I was wondering how I could fix this problem?

Thank You

earthsaver - Feb 19, 2007 - 3:15 pm

First I suggest repairing permissions from Disk Utility. If that doesn't work, try downloading and reinstalling the 10.4.8 combo update. Might also try trashing Installer's preferences file, located at Home/Library/Preferences/com.apple.installer.plist.

- Ben

hanyoul - Feb 20, 2007 - 9:10 am

May I ask how I go about using disk utility for repairng permission?
Im pretty much knowledge-less when it comes to Mac computers

Thank you

earthsaver - Feb 20, 2007 - 12:06 pm

Go to Utilities. Open Disk Utility. Click your startup disk (normally called Macintosh HD). Click Repair Disk Permissions.

hanyoul - Feb 22, 2007 - 12:09 am

Oh...it seems like the disk utility does not work when i open it.

earthsaver - Feb 22, 2007 - 12:18 am

Can you be a bit more elaborate about what doesn't work? What did you do? What behaviors resulted? I can't help with such a vague statement. If it's crashing, you'll need to startup with your OS X Install DVD to access a working copy of Disk Utility to repair permissions. Or, you could try reinstalling the combo update linked earlier.

hanyoul - Feb 22, 2007 - 9:42 pm

oh sorry...

well i tried the repairing permission via disk utility.
But when i double-click on the disk utility button it just bounces once in the dock and then disappears and nothing happens.

earthsaver - Feb 22, 2007 - 9:50 pm

That, then, is clearly a problem with Mac OS X, which I would suggest attempting to repair by reinstalling 10.4.8 combo. Another option which might be useful to consider is to download and run Applejack. You might also want to read Dan Frakes' summary of its advantages and caveats on MacFixIt.

hanyoul - Feb 23, 2007 - 9:30 am

Okay...well i tried the applejack..and that needs the use of the installer or so...it didnt work...I can't seem to install anything.

So Im guessing my last option is to repair by reinstalling 10.4.8 combo?...May I ask how that is done?
Sorry...just really new to MAC

earthsaver - Feb 23, 2007 - 9:44 am

Oh, right. Forgot we're back to the original problem. And, the combo update will require the same. Hmm. Did you ever try trashing Installer's preferences file? It's in the Preferences folder inside Library in your home directory. I suggest you try the same with Disk Utility. You'd be looking for com.apple.installer.plist and com.apple.diskutility.plist.

Are there any other applications that fail to open as you've described?

hanyoul - Feb 23, 2007 - 9:55 am

Okay...Uh...in the folder...I have many com.apple. things but
I cant find either of the com.apple.installer.plist and com.apple.diskutility.plist....

Also.. I can't even remember the last time I actually got something installed...Only when it's the files we copy and paste, but whenever it uses the installer, I don't remember the last time it worked.

earthsaver - Feb 23, 2007 - 10:05 am

When was the last time you ran Software Update? You can check for updates right now via the Apple menu. Software Update's installer may work even when Installer.app doesn't. In the Preferences folder, are you sure you're looking in your Home Library?, not the one at the root of your hard disk. For example, you should also see loginwindow.plist but not com.apple.loginwindow.plist.

hanyoul - Feb 23, 2007 - 10:49 am

Yea, I ran a software update couple of days ago because I read a suggestion on the web... but it still hasn't fixed it

Uh....I am not sure if im looking in the home library....but
I see BOTH loginwindow.plist AND com.apple.loginwindow.plist

earthsaver - Feb 25, 2007 - 3:26 pm

As I said, if you see both loginwindow files, then you're in the main Library folder located at Macintosh HD/Library. Instead you need to click the Home icon in your sidebar or go to it in the Go menu and click the Library folder inside there, then preferences. That's where you want to remove Installer and Disk Utility preferences files, and then try to open each application again.

hanyoul - Feb 25, 2007 - 11:27 pm

hm.....I did that exactly....

Go-> Home -> Library -> Preferences -> But I see both files of loginwindows.

But I found the com.apple.diskutility.plist file and i erased it and tried to install it but it still does not work

earthsaver - Feb 26, 2007 - 7:11 am

You can also try repairing disk and permissions by starting up from your Mac OS X Install DVD and opening Disk Utility from there. If that doesn't help the installer issue, short of reinstalling Tiger altogether, I think you need to try forcing the 10.4.8 combo update using QuickInstaller, an AppleScript that calls the command line version of Apple's Installer and automatically installs packages to their default locations on the startup disk.

I should have asked before: When was the last time you were able to install anything or run Disk Utility?

hanyoul - Feb 28, 2007 - 11:54 am

well ... I do not remember the exact time range...But I know it has been like that for at least half a year....that I think I ever got something installed.....

Would I need to buy the Mac OS X install DVD or would i be able to get it somewhere else?

earthsaver - Feb 28, 2007 - 12:45 pm

The install disc came with your iBook. If you don't have it, you can buy one or wait for Leopard to come out this spring if you plan to upgrade.

Did you try QuickInstaller?