Following the tips in the Apple Tech note, I deleted the version.plist file in the Java frameworks resources directory and applied the download version of the Java 1.4.1 update for Panther. After a restart I checked again and all was ok.
Some readers reported on problems that I didn't see with the update or downloading it (corrupted download/checksum failure), at least one (PB G4/500 owner) reported a severe problem (failure to boot after the update). I've added this info and reader reports to the previous page on Java 1.4.1 Update tips/feedback.

" BBEdit 7.1 is a significant update, now with support for SFTP (the SSH File Transfer Protocol), FTP and SFTP server discovery via Rendezvous, and "Preview in BBEdit" live HTML rendering. The new Preview in BBEdit feature allows customers to view a rendering of their HTML code under construction, in a window which automatically updates as the code is changed. This feature takes advantage of Apple's WebKit technology, and so requires Mac OS X 10.2 with Safari installed (or Mac OS X 10.3).

BBEdit can now open and save files on SFTP servers via the same standard menu commands used for FTP. BBEdit's FTP dialogs also provide a new Rendezvous pop-up menu allowing easy selection of local servers. This new release also adds several other minor enhancements and refinements and addresses reported issues. On Mac OS X, BBEdit 7.1 now requires version 10.2 or later, and is fully compatible with Mac OS X 10.3 "Panther." For Mac OS 9, the minimum system requirement remains Mac OS 9.1 (with CarbonLib 1.5 or later).
The BBEdit 7.1 update is available free of charge to all registered BBEdit 7.0 customers. www.barebones.com/support/updates.shtml "

Version 3.5.1 adds the following:

• Anti-cheat for Ghost Recon now handles differences for the French version
• Fixed a problem that affected a number of game plug-ins including Medal of Honor
• Worked around a Mac OS 10.1.x text field bug that would lock up
• Worked around a Mac OS 9.0.4 text field bug that would crash

• Safari 1.1: Safari Quits Unexpectedly When PithHelmet is Installed
  If you have installed PithHelmet software on Mac OS X Panther, Safari may unexpectedly quit when opened.
  
  
• Mac OS X 10.3, iDisk: Local iDisk Sync Issues, Some Folders May Appear Empty Update to Mac OS X 10.3.1 or later if your Mac OS X Panther computer hasn't been restarted in three or more days and some iDisk folders appear empty, or if you have issues syncing your iDisk.
  
  
• Mac OS X 10.3: Security Update 2003-11-04 Doesn't Install
  You may not be able to install Security Update 2003-11-04.

" Mike, I don't know if my experience was typical, but I thought I'd let you know in case anyone else had this problem.
After installing the 10.3.1 update to my bootable external firewire drive, I got the blinking folder (on the first restart and on multiple retries), and a second later, it would revert to my internal drive's 10.2.8 to boot.
Only after repairing permissions on the firewire drive (i.e., from 10.2.8 of my internal drive) would it boot to 10.3.1 from the firewire drive. I had just applied the OWC/Oxford firmware update a couple of days ago (even though it is a firewire 400 from another vendor). I don't know if that had anything to do with it.
- Paul
Emac 700 with WD 200GB special edition in a Oxford911/USB2 combo enclosure (mfg unknown). "

Another reader wrote about boot from FW drive problems in 10.3.1:

" Mike, I, too, cannot start up from my firewire drives. I have 2...a 45GB Maxtor and a 160GB Maxtor...both installed in OWC FW400 cases. After installing 10.3.1 (using Carbon Copy Cloner) on both drives, I found neither one would boot...got to the Apple, but no round spinning start-up icon. Both drives just hung at that point.
Then I updated the OWC firmware...same issue.

Could be that I didn't start with a fresh 10.3 install, followed by an upgrade to 10.3.1. Could be that CCC doesn't work over FW drives. (it does, I've used it in the past for years to make bootable clones of OS X installs to FW drives, but I have not used it for a 10.3.1 install yet. Make sure you get the latest version released the same day as Panther shipped.-Mike) Could be a lot of things...I just don't know. What I DO know is that it's frustrating to have back-up drives that cannot start up. (Used to work with 10.2.8, but haven't 'downgraded' to try that out since I did the OWC firware update.) Next step is to reformat drives and try again...but all this is so time-consuming! I just wish it would work!!!

Also, having problems getting 10.3 AND 10.3.1 to boot from the second partition on my brand new (white-spotted) 15" Al G4 Powerbook. (Haven't even tried the first partition yet for fear that 10.3 and 10.3.1 just don't seem to be reliable enough.) 10.3.1 works fine on my upgraded Sawtooth...but it's been a 'hit or miss' proposition on my other machines so far.

Final complaint: Why do we have to be 'fixing' permissions so often, anyway...I thought this OS was supposed to be 'easy to use!!!???' I am beginning to feel like an IDIOT for buying my 78 year old Dad a Mac (against my brother's Windows-centric advice), then having to tell him constatly to remember to 'repair permissions'.
Kevin P. "

I'd still prefer someone like that have a Mac vs a PC. (you'd have to tell him to check often for security updates, antivirus updates, beware of opening attachments, etc. on the PC.)
Not all updates show permissions repaired (after running RP from Disk Utility) but some do (and not just Apple updates - ATI driver updates for retail cards and past IE updates for instance).

While on the subject, another reader sent a note about Firewire drive mounting problems he's had since updating to 10.3.1:

" For the last several days have been reading about problems folks having with firewire drives, so here is another one that I've not read anything about. Have a 60gig drive in an external OWC Oxford 911 case with G/4 450. Under 10.3 the drive mounted without any problems. I checked the OWC site and found that they had a firmware update for the device. Took awhile to perform because of the problems myself and other had been having with opening the .jar under java 1.4. Process finally worked and firmware upgrade installed OK. Drive continued to mount until upgraded to 10.3.1. Upon restart after upgrade to 10.3.1 external drive did not mount nor was it identified in Profiler.

Decided to see if it would mount after OWC firmware update process. Strangely enough, it did, immediately. Thought problem solved, but upon shutdown/start up, drive would not mount. Went through same firmware update process again with same result (drive mounted), so now must use OWC firmware process everytime after shutdown/starup.

One piece of advice so far (from OWC) is to reformat the drive. Don't want to do that yet, until all options explored. OWC is still working on may problem.
Thanks for great site. I have been using every since first started.
Bob "

I'm primarily using a Portable (Oxford911 clear case) Firewire drive with 10.3.1 and knock on wood no problems so far. (I have not updated the firmware in it.)

• Apple Dual G4 DDR (MDD) 1.25GHz OC report
• PowerLogix G4/1GHz in G4/AGP (rated 2)
  (My reviews of G4 and G3 upgrades w/apps/game tests, install info, etc. are linked here. OC/CPU module articles are on the Systems page.)

(Warning - Overclocking may not be reliable and could lead to hardware failure or corrupted data.) You can find the full reports by searching the database selecting the indicated Mac model and upgrade card brand/type. If you've upgraded the CPU on your Mac, please post an entry in the database. Search the database for entries from most every upgradable Mac model *before* you buy. (Searchable by mac model/upgrade brand). For detailed reviews with performance tests and install tips, see the CPU Upgrades page.)

Combo DVD+CDR Drives:
• IDE LG GCC-4480B (48x24x48x + 16x DVD) in B&W G3 (OS X 10.3)
  (native burn support in 10.3)
  (Illustrated CD drive install guide here covers G4 towers up to the Digital Audio Model, Beige G3 MT, B&W G3 and 8600/9600 Macs)
  
  Hard Drives:
• IDE Maxtor 80GB in iMac (OS X)
• IDE Seagate Barracuda ST3120026A-RK 120GB in (QS) G4/AGP (OS X)
• IDE Western Digital WD1600JBRTL 160GB in (QS2002) G4/AGP (OS X 10.3)
  (Illustrated guide to adding a 2nd HD here in B&W G3 rev2 and G4 towers up to the QuickSilver models.
  IDE articles page RAID section has an illustrated guide for adding 2 more drives in the side bays.)

You can find full owner reports (latest shown first) by searching the database by drive/brand/interface/mac models (the latest reports are shown first in searches). For guides to installing CD/CDRW/DVD drives or Hard drives in many mac models, see the IDE Articles page. The Firewire articles page also has guides on case kits, installing drives, etc.
If you've added a IDE, SCSI, Firewire or USB hard drive, CDRW, tape drive, etc. make sure you add a report to the database. (If you post an updated entry - make sure you use the same name, etc. as you did before so I can find your past entry. Thanks.)
(Incomplete entries are deleted. Do not post questions in the database, it's for drive reports not questions on what drive to buy - for that try searching the database for reports from owners of your mac model on the drive type/brand/interface, etc. you're interested in.)

• 1 year ago today
• 2 years ago today
• 3 years ago today