64-bit software users are reporting a serious problem with Apple’s security update 2005-007. Apparently the update which fixes 43 known issues with Mac OS X also breaks 64-bit applications, like Wolfram’s Mathematica. According to Apple, “Security Update 2005-007 delivers a number of security enhancements and is recommended for all Macintosh users. This update includes the following components: AppKit, BlueTooth, CoreFoundation, cups, Directory Services, HIToolBox, Kerberos, loginwindow, Mail, OpenSSL, QuartzComposerScreenSaver, Security Interface, Safari, X11, and zlib.”
At press time the update was still available from Apple’s Support Downloads Web site. Click through to read an email Wolfram Research sent sent to Mathmatica users on Tuesday. Read More…
64-bit software users are reporting a serious problem with Apple’s security update 2005-007. Apparently the update which fixes 43 known issues with Mac OS X also breaks 64-bit applications, like Wolfram’s Mathematica. According to Apple, “Security Update 2005-007 delivers a number of security enhancements and is recommended for all Macintosh users. This update includes the following components: AppKit, BlueTooth, CoreFoundation, cups, Directory Services, HIToolBox, Kerberos, loginwindow, Mail, OpenSSL, QuartzComposerScreenSaver, Security Interface, Safari, X11, and zlib.”
At press time the update was still available from Apple’s Support Downloads Web site. Wolfram Research sent an email sent to Mathmatica users on Tuesday:
Important notification for users of G5 Macintosh systems running OS X 10.4
At approximately 8 p.m. PDT on Monday, August 15, Apple began automatic distribution of Apple Security Update 2005-007 for Mac OS X 10.4.2 (Tiger).
Due to an error on the part of Apple, this update prevents any 64-bit-native application from running. In particular, this means that Mathematica 5.2 will not run on any G5 system if it has installed this Security Update.
This problem was discovered by our testing procedures a few hours ago, and Apple has now assured us that they have stopped automatic distribution of Security Update 2005-007 at this time.
If you did not install Security Update 2005-007, then you will not be affected. If your Mathematica 5.2 successfully launches and performs any computation (such as 2+2), then this also means that you have not been affected.
If you have been affected, then Mathematica 5.2 will generate a MathLink error when you try to do any computation with it. (If you run MathKernel directly from the command line, it will crash at startup.)
Apple has informed us that there is no workaround for this problem.
Apple is investigating the problem at high priority, and intends to distribute a new Security Update in the very near future. This update will correct the problem and allow Mathematica to run successfully. […]
Should you require further technical support for this problem, Apple has informed us that you should contact them through [Apple Phone Contacts]
