Mac OS 9: How to Troubleshoot Software Update Control Panel

If you are not able to use the Software Update feature of Mac OS 9, try one or more of the following troubleshooting steps.

Install Software Update version 1.2

If you are not able to use the auto-update mechanism, check to see if you are using Software Update version 1.2 or later. Open the Software Update control panel and choose About Software Update from the Apple menu to confirm the version of Software Update installed. If version 1.2 or later is not installed, download and install Software Update 1.2 or later, which is available from Apple Software Downloads (http://www.apple.com/swupdates/).

Error message "Not able to run"

If the Software Update control panel reports that it is "not able to run", make sure that the following security extensions are installed in the Extensions folder of your System Folder. If these items are missing, you may need to re-install your system software:

• Security Cert Module
• Security Library
• Security Manager
• Security Policy Module
• Security Storage Module

Unable to connect to the Internet

If you see a message that the Software Update control panel is "not able to connect to the Internet", use a web browser to connect to the Apple web site at <http://www.apple.com> to make sure you have an active Internet connection before using Software Update.

If you are using a proxy server, Software Update may not be able to download and install updates. Download software updates from Apple Software Downloads instead (http://www.apple.com/swupdates/).

Software updates are listed, but do not download

Software Update will quit most open applications before downloading any updates. If you are using a login agent such as PPPoE, or another application that must be open in order to keep your Internet connection active, you may not be able to use Software Update. Download software updates from Apple Software Downloads instead (http://www.apple.com/swupdates/).

For more information, refer to technical document 60598: "Mac OS 9: Using Software Update with VPN/Connection 'Keep-Alive' Agents"

If you are using a proxy server, Software Update may not be able to download and install updates. Download software updates from Apple Software Downloads instead (http://www.apple.com/swupdates/).

Software downloads, but does not update

If Software Update is able to successfully connect to the Internet and display a list of updates, but the updates do not appear to install, try the following troubleshooting steps:

1. Make sure the file is downloading during the update process by clicking the "Show Detailed Progress" disclosure triangle in the Software Update progress dialog. If the updates are not actually downloading, see section above "Software updates are listed, but do not download".

2. Try rebuilding the Desktop to ensure that all of the Software Update components are properly recognized by the system software. For more information on rebuilding the desktop, see technical document 10182 "Mac OS: Rebuilding Desktop File and Icon Recovery."

3. Try downloading and installing one or more of the updates from the AppleCare Web site to see if the installer indicates a possible issue.