Apple Toolbox

Even though most customers have yet to take delivery of the new models, Apple has already released a software update for the brand new, mid-2010 MacBook Pro models. The release notes state: “This update is recommended for all 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro mid 2010 models and contains improvements for graphics stability for high-performance video [...]

It appears that a number of users are confused by the Mac OS X 10.6.3 v1.1 update, which Apple released yesterday. Here’s the deal: This does not appear to be a “new” version of Mac OS X in the sense that it includes any enhancements or new features relative to the initial edition of Mac [...]

Several users have reported an issue in which, after updating to Mac OS X 10.6.3, a process called PTMD persistently uses 50% or more of CPU time and shortens battery life dramatically. This issue can also result in constant disk access and fan activity, and high procesor temperature. As described by Apple Discussions poster Masanori: [...]

Apple has released a patch for Mac OS X 10.6.3, dubbed Mac OS X v10.6.3 v1.1 Update. It appears that this build incorporates updates that are also included in a “supplemental” Mac OS X 10.6.3 patch available through Software Update. This supplemental update is only required if you upgraded directly from Mac OS X 10.6.0 [...]

Princeton University’s Information Technology department has issued a statement suggesting that iPads are disrupting campus Wi-Fi networks. The department recommends that students do not attempt to connect their iPads to campus networks “until the issue is fixed,” and says iPads may be blocked on a per-device basis to “maintain the stability and reliability of campus [...]

Some users have reported that Spotlight searching no longer works properly after the update to Mac OS X 10.6.3. In these cases, some files may not be found or search functionality may not work at all. This issue can generally be solved by rebuilding the Spotlight index, as described in an Apple Knowledge Base article.

Some users have reported a loss of Bluetooth connectivity after updating to Mac OS X 10.6.3.  Users who experience this problem find that the bluetooth icon on the menu bar has line through it (indicating that it is not operational) and displays the message ‘Bluetooth not available’ when clicked. The Bluetooth pane may also be [...]

In what is surely the oddest fix for what has become the most pervasive set of iPad issues, it appears that adjusting the device’s screen brightness may, in some cases, resolve a problem in which the iPad fails to reconnect to Wi-Fi networks after the unit wakes from sleep. (Note that this issue is separate [...]

Several users have reported an issue in which Mac OS X 10.6.3 installation fails during the “writing files” stage. The system then delivers a cryptic error message instructing the user to contact the software manufacturer. User Chris has discovered a fix for at least some instances of this issue. It involves modifying the maximum number [...]

By far the most widespread issue affecting iPad users is one in which they experience weak/fluctuating Wi-Fi signals, inordinately slow transfer speeds, and/or inability to maintain wireless connections (constant drops). Affected users report fast connection and throughput from Macs, PCs, iPhones and other devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network, but significantly degraded speeds and/or [...]