Apple posts fix for freezing iMacs

Not a moment too soon, Apple has apparently delivered on its intentions to squash that annoying freezing bug that plagued some of its latest iMacs. Available now for Leopard (iMac Software Update 1.3) and Tiger (iMac Software Update 1.2), the update reportedly "provides important bug fixes and is recommended for 20- and 24-inch iMac models with 2.0, 2.4, or 2.8GHz processors." Unfortunately, we're given absolutely no elaboration beyond that, so for any of you out there still limping by on a freeze-happy machine, why not get your download on and let us know if your troubles do indeed vanish?

[Via PCWorld]
Read - iMac Software Update 1.3 for Leopard
Read - iMac Software Update 1.2 for Tiger

[aaron @ Nov 2nd 2007 10:44AM]

I've never had Vista or xp spII freeze on me. It must suck to have such a shity os...

Tell you what, if you want a more functionality, a better price, and higher reliablity...get a PC...it just works!

[websyndicate @ Nov 2nd 2007 10:37AM]

Im happy this has been address and I will download this when I get home. As for freezing after I got 4gb of ram I never had another issue again but it did happen often when it sat with only a 1gb stick.

[LukeA @ Nov 2nd 2007 10:38AM]

Put them in the fridge instead.

[websyndicate @ Nov 2nd 2007 10:39AM]

Developers!Developers!Developers!

[roach @ Nov 2nd 2007 10:39AM]

Me think Apple is going to be very busy creating bug fixes.

[JC @ Nov 2nd 2007 10:40AM]

My Vista machine doesn't freeze.

[andi @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:24AM]

osx>vista
xp>osx

and my ubuntu doesn't freeze, and never did... and I've been using it for quite a while... and the winxp in VirtualBox never froze either, but I've really had trouble running osx in a virtual machine..

oh, and my ubuntu has more sleek eyecandy than your puny leopard too

[jeff @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:38AM]

Everything freezes at some point.

Just turn it off and on again and get on with your life.

[Eric @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:09PM]

Yeah my new install of Vista doesn't freeze either......Because it doesn't boot. It decided that displaying errors for corrupt systems files would be more productive than displaying the desktop.

[Brad @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:49PM]

@Eric: Next time, try purchasing your software rather than downloading it. Then you'd be able to use any one of a half-dozen support options, including your hardware vendor, MS support, email and chat options...the list goes on.

But it's easier to complain about something you didn't buy, right?

[David @ Nov 2nd 2007 1:59PM]

all those out there trying to prove that their OS is better than another, give it a rest. This iMac freezing thing has NOTHING to do with OSX and everything to do with the faulty video driver (ATI HD 2600 and other iterations), which leads me to think you need to get your facts straight before trying to prove a point... cheers

[Derek @ Nov 2nd 2007 10:44AM]

It has already been widely reported in the Apple Forums that these updates have not solved the problem for a wide majority of the iMac owners.

There are a TON of pissed iMac owners this morning. It is actually pretty ridiculous how much help they have gotten from Apple. This is one of the worst customer support things I have ever seen from Apple.

Too bad.

[Keaton @ Nov 2nd 2007 5:53PM]

People wouldn't be so pissed off if Apple didn't run around SCREAMING and YELLING that Mac's are so much better because they don't have the problems PC's do...

[John Allison @ Nov 2nd 2007 10:44AM]

Now if only they could roll out a patch to fix the Kernel Panics in their Airport Driver for MacBookPros in leopard.

[SuitCase @ Nov 2nd 2007 10:50AM]

For what it's worth, I have had none of these issues. Running the mid-range 24" here.

[gecono @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:58AM]

Your comment is not worth much to the people who are having problems.

[Brinky @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:32PM]

Actually it is worth something as it just proves that not everyone is having these problems.

[Jugomugo @ Nov 2nd 2007 10:51AM]

I'm glad I've never had a freeze or a lock up on my MacBook since I ordered last year on the drop date. Can't say the same for ANY Windows machine I've ever owned.

Sorry to the iMac users that are having problems.

[slug @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:06AM]

@aaron.

Did MS pay you to say that?
Cus really, i run vista as do many of my friends. Endless problems... Mainly viruses and driver problems. Not to mention how much resources it eats up in your machine!!

My next computer will be an imac

[Canadian Bacon @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:10AM]

Yeah because viruses on your computer are Microsoft's fault.

[Scott Madore @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:35AM]

I run XP spII with 2gig of ram. It runs pretty solid most of the time. I can't remember the last time I had it crash. I know it has - but it's pretty rare.

[Reader @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:11AM]

Viruses = User at fault

seriously, if you're still having trouble with virus I don't know what to say. I look at my fair share of porn and still don't have any problems, but of course I protect my computer.

[Derek @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:41AM]

@ Reader

lol pr0n

[slug @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:43AM]

I am refering to the freezes. I run the latest Norton Anti-Virus.
I would say i have to quarintine/remove a virus a couple times a month.

And yes i also enjoy a light porn session now and again :p

I have nothing against Vista, cus apart from that, its a great OS. Its just irritating.

[Miker @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:49AM]

I have to agree with Reader on this one. I've been connected to the net for 8 years now using 95, XP and now Vista (5 years via broadband) and I've never once got a virus...never...ever...

Don't download dodgy software, don't open attachments if your weren't expecting them, scan downloaded files before opening, make sure you have a firewall and antivirus software and keep windows up to date...and boy have I looked at some dodgy sights in my time as well.

Not wishing to be derogatory, but although Windows might not be natively more secure than OSX, there is NO reason for a Windows computer to become infected except by through the ignorance of the user.

[Noshi @ Nov 2nd 2007 4:27PM]

How can you have that many viruses for Vista, you sure they are Norton related problems, if your having resources why not try an anti virus that doesn't suck up so many resources, theres alot of great options out there, Norton isn't one of them.

Been running Vista for a long time, keep UAC on and spyware and viruses shouldn't be an issue unless you accept stuff you shouldn't. Just as it is with every OS, Security is only as strong as the USER, but with IE7 and UAC it takes an awful amount of work on your part to let that virus in.

[b00st3d @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:07AM]

WHAT? An apple product requires an bug fix? I thought this was one of the big deals about owning an apple product?

[Miker @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:10AM]

Has anyone actually reported yet that if you upgrade to Leopard, it actually turns the OSX firewall off and then changes the default setting to leave it disabled...all without telling the user?!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7071017.stm

[Wesburl @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:51AM]

Silly Miker, Apple machines do not need firewalls. They just work!

*chokes back laughter*

[mlb @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:18AM]

So much for the never buy a first gen Apple product rule. I ditched my old G5 iMac and got the first Intel iMac when they came out, and I haven't had a problem since I bought it. I had thought of selling my current iMac and getting one of the newer ones, but now I think I'll just keep the one I've got since it runs both OS X and Vista without a hitch.

[Mark Richardson @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:23AM]

Why is the title of this article "Apple posts fix for freezing iMacs" if you guys actually have no idea if this fixes the freezing?

[Jon @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:49AM]

Because apple did post a fix for freezing iMacs....

regardless of if the fix, actually works, it is still called a fix nontheless. I guess you can have a broken fix. x.x

[Mark Richardson @ Nov 2nd 2007 1:00PM]

Okay so where is the fix for the freezing iMacs you're talking about?

[Dave H. @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:32AM]

Smooth sailing since the patch for me. I'm on a low-end system, the 20" 2.0GHz 1GB RAM base model running Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger). Before the patch, World of Warcraft froze if I ran it in full-screen mode and movie recording was disabled due to an incompatibility. With the release of the patch, WoW is running in full screen with no freezing, an improved framerate, and I was able to activate the built-in movie recording feature, which operates very smoothly as well.

It seems that the 24" iMacs and those running 10.5 are the ones still having troubles.

[BennyBoySmith @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:48AM]

I will have to update my iMac when it finally gets delivered... It's taking its sweet time. :-X

Unless Apple are kind enough to do it for me ;-)

[crimrow @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:50AM]

As an avid windows user since Windows 3.11 was released in 1992, I am offended by these PC users who are pretending that there has never been a problem with a a PC running Windows. You people are ridiculous with your "vista and xp have never crashed" make believe.

I maintain an office of about 10 PCs and 8 macs and unfortunately the PC users have far more problems than the mac users. No iMacs here however. All G5 towers and latest gen Mac books.

The fact that not _one_ mac here even needs virus software says something. Inexpensive cost of PC ownership is offset by the requirement of virus and malware protection software. I wish every PC user here could be made to run linux but that just isn't an option.

Apple has it easy. They control the hardware they support with an iron fist and by choosing hardware that does not cater to the Walmart shoppers of the nation, they are higher quality by default than the average $300 blue-light-special.

Anyway, these fanboy comments pretending that PCs are impervious to faults and all the Apple hype is make believe are willful denial or ignorance. If you havent had your PC running vista lock up yet, good for you. You can hold your breath though, it will freeze someday.

[tcc3 @ Nov 2nd 2007 2:04PM]

It called karma my friend. Its no more false than "OSX is perfect, never has a problem and just works. Windows suxx0rs!" This is the same sort of tripe Apple and mac fans have been spreading.

Neither OS is perfect. Its a computer. Its going to lock up sometimes. If you have a preference, hooray for you.

[Sander de Regt @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:51AM]

I don't care about the freezing. Is there a fix for the condensation yet? :-)

[Wesburl @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:02PM]

I agree with the "control the hardware they support with an iron fist” statement, but the "not _one_ mac here even needs virus software"... not so much.

You do understand that this is because no one cares?? Not trying to be mean or "ignorant", but if you wanted to write a devastating virii. Would you target (rough estimates) 90% or 6%??

The organization Blackhat tore down OSX in a matter of a few hours (as they did with Vista too) and went on to state that they were fully capable of hypothetically exploiting the system in several areas with viruses/backdoor/DDOS and a few other penetration tools I am unable to recall.

Vista did get hit a little harder than that with their testing, but your previous statements makes it sound like they (Apple) did something to make it secure. The fact is no one cares : /

[Wesburl @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:04PM]

@crimrow btw

[crimrow @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:31PM]

As someone who has to maintain these computers as an asterisk to my full time job of running a programming department, I really don't care why half of my co-workers don't have problems with viruses coming in via e-mail or various other vectors. I just care that they don't have those problems.

I personally find the "no one cares because there aren't enough of them" argument to be a bit weak. Do you really intend to convince everyone that _you_ have your thumb on the personal preferences of the people who are writing viruses and other exploitive software?

If it is all about the numbers maybe you should let us know why there are not more viruses, trojans and worms that target linux? They may not be a big percentage of the desktop market but they certainly have a large number of server installations out there.

I think this is more of a weakest link scenario. Sure the various *NIX and BSD based operating systems have their own security flaws. If I had to guess, not as many bad guys are targeting them as much because it is so much easier to target MS.

Commence disagreement!

[Wesburl @ Nov 2nd 2007 1:05PM]

Commencing! X D

Firstly, I too care for many various systems. Many different *nix distros (server and clients alike) and a few Macs (one being my own), but mostly PC's (10:1 ratio in favor of XP). I'm employed as a network Administrator over around 100 local computers, and a few thousand on a campus I work at on occasion.

My point still is the same, although you seem to have taken my point of (no hackers care about apple) and decided to apply its use to this discussion. Making it difficult to discuss much of anything. "I really don't care why half of my etc etc” argument is as you say, a bit weak as well. I never said "you_ have your thumb on the personal preferences of the people who are writing viruses and other exploitive software", although I do some penetration testing and *code* writing myself. All for self testing of course.

I am referencing to statistics, that Apple themselves bring forth. They claim their security (which is decent) but do not explain why. I am simply try to let everyone know they are not buying into better computing security, just one less in the main streams eye.

This has been changing as of late, and also more problems are arising because of this. Examples would be Iphone lock or unlock, Iphone no cash or gift cards, blue screens, screen condensations, smugness of windows network icons etc etc. As for "If it is all about the numbers maybe you should let us know why there are not more viruses, trojans and worms that target linux" its practically the same thing. Linux distros (as you are well aware) are not mainstream, and require specialized knowledge... making it more secure as well.

Now implementations on linux of NDIS systems and tools like squid make it secure. Apple does not have these. “If I had to guess, not as many bad guys are targeting them as much because it is so much easier to target MS. " I agree 100%.

Your move : )

[Reid B. @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:18PM]

Yet another example of Apple's crappy quality control and terrible development skills. You don't have to be a great developer or engineer on a closed system like this, especially when Apple doesn't care about putting it's customers through issue after issue from their negligence. I get so tired of hearing a certain percent yap about how great Apple is. The truth is there is no excuse for problems like this in a closed system. The reason is Apple is surprisingly incompetent.

[Stephen Lang @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:35PM]

Even as an Apple user I don't totally disagree with this statement. Their latest product rollouts have had some issues- iMac, iPod Touch screens, iPod Classic speed/stability...

A closed platform offers certain advantages, which has helped Apple develop a stable OS platform. But it also means they spread a lot of resources developing both software and hardware across multiple product lines. So it's not nearly as one-sided as that either.

The market clearly has shown an appetite for new Apple products, given their recent successes in sales. But Apple has to carefully maange their growth/expansion to make sure their products really are as reliable as they are perceived to be.

[Stephen Lang @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:35PM]

Even as an Apple user I don't totally disagree with this statement. Their latest product rollouts have had some issues- iMac, iPod Touch screens, iPod Classic speed/stability...

A closed platform offers certain advantages, which has helped Apple develop a stable OS platform. But it also means they spread a lot of resources developing both software and hardware across multiple product lines. So it's not nearly as one-sided as that either.

The market clearly has shown an appetite for new Apple products, given their recent successes in sales. But Apple has to carefully maange their growth/expansion to make sure their products really are as reliable as they are perceived to be.

[crimrow @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:47PM]

Wait. There is no excuse for this in a "closed" system? What are your thoughts about every windows release since 1995?

Just to be clear: every windows release has had an update to fix problems. All of them.

Since window's doesn't have anything to do with problems that your hardware might have, lets not forget that there probably hasn't been a supported peripheral released that hasn't updated their drivers at some point.

How many bios updates does your motherboard have?

[Reid Conti @ Nov 2nd 2007 1:22PM]

Take that up with every survey ever conducted about computer reliability that puts Apple on top.

The bigger question is, why does a 50 billion dollar company need fanboys? I hope they're paying you at least.

[Eric @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:20PM]

The Microsoft astroturfers are out in force these days. It's pretty pathetic how they look for every excuse to diss Macs. Well, Macs are increasing at twice the pace of PCs these days. Only HP and Dell make more PCs than Apple.

Get over it. There's an alternative. It's not for you? Great! Be happy and don't act like you've been eating too many sour grapes.

[crescentdavid @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:24PM]

As much as I'd love to stay on-topic like the rest of you, I'd just like to support andi's post: I like XP better than OSX and I like OSX better than Vista. Let's face it ... we've become a culture willing to accept buggy releases. Part of it is the increasing complexity of the OS, part of it is the lack of consumer oriented advocacy. People still worship corporations. Go figure.

P.S. Any attempts to address OS problems should be applauded.

[Reid B. @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:50PM]

@Eric - what a joke. Twice the rate of nothing still is irrelevant. The only reason Apple isn't much of a competitor (which is a shame as competition is good for everyone) is exactly this - they abuse their customers, and then clowns like you defend the company at all costs like it's frickin' Amway. How about we start demanding Apple be better and step up to the challenge.

I AM an Apple customer by the way, but I pick and chose what I will buy and I don't live in Job's Reality Distortion Field. I have owned eight Macs until I just couldn't take the abuse and arrogance. Nothing has changed since I switched my computer on my desk. Maybe if they could at least get iTunes working without crashing all the time.